Calls for councillor to quit over misconduct

Published 7 Oct 2009 15:13 2 Comments

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RENFREWSHIRE councillor Audrey Doig has been censured by the Standards Commission after being found guilty of misconduct.

She failed to declare her interest during a meeting of the general purpose and finance board about the Lagoon Leisure Centre.

Now fellow councillor Jim Sharkey has called on her to quit as convenor of the Joint Valuation Board.

He said: "The chief officer Stuart Alan, actually said that she was a relatively inexperienced councillor.

"Now why then does she sit as chair of the valuation board? The two things don't fit.

"Either you are young, inexperienced and don't know what you are doing or you're fit to run a board which includes two other councils.

"I don't think that she is a fit and proper person to represent the council in other places.

"This isn't just an internal position, this is representing the council in front of other councils and that could well be embarrassing now that she has been found guilty."

Councillor Doig is defending her action. She said: "It's important to point out that the Standards Commission awarded the least of the range of sanctions that they could impose.

"Their official report found that my aim was only to inform a council meeting of the existing condition of parts of the Lagoon Leisure Centre."

Councillor Doig, who represents Linwood, Houston and Crosslee, took part in a financial meeting about the centre but did not declare her interest until half way through, even though she is employed by Renfrewshire Leisure Limited as a training officer.

By declaring an interest this means that she cannot take part in the meetings or even be in the same room where they take place.

Councillor Sharkey, who represents Paisley East and Ralston, was sitting in the gallery during the meeting.

He said: "As an employee of RLL she stands up at a meeting and declares her interest at that point which is wrong to do. You are suppose to declare your interest when you first know."

Councillor Sharkey then reported the incident to the Standards Commission.

The watchdog met last week, in the Glynhill Hotel, and decided to censure Councillor Doig due to her lack of experience.

They could have taken stronger action that would have seen her suspended or disqualified from the council.

Councillor Doig added: "My intention was merely to give a factual account of the current building.

"In doing so I now accept that I made a procedural error and I apologise for that.

"However the Standards Commission found that I had not sought any advantage for myself or my employer."

Council leader, Derek Mackay, has spoken out defending councillor Doig, he said: "Audrey Doig has my complete support and backing.

"She made a technical error which has no question of significant gain, as acknowledged by the Standards Commission.

"The Labour response is a cynical, political over-reaction."

This article appeared in The Gazette 07 Oct 09

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Andrew
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Oct 18, 13:36
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Once again government at all levels demonstrate that they are not in it to represent their constituents, but pure self interest and greed. Lack of experience dont make me laugh.

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Tom
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Dec 9, 01:39
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The Xmas tree in Linwood is now become symbolic of the social isolation and neglect in this village/town.

http://news.webshots.com/album/575848382FfaeRu

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