Ward business meetings – status quo

The Highland Council has reaffirmed its policy of holding in private business meetings held between ward members and their ward manager and other council officials.

Councillor David Bremner, Landward Caithness, moved a motion that the meetings be held in public.

Leader of the Council’s Administration, Councillor Michael Foxley, moved an amendment that the meetings continue to be held in private because of the confidential nature of the business.

After debate, the Council voted 52-5 in favour of Councillor Foxley’s amendment. There were 16 abstentions.

The 80-member Council comprises 14 four-member wards and 8 three-member wards. Ward members meet regularly to discuss the business within the ward.

A motion proposing that Council meetings should start at 1 pm – instead of 10.30 am – to save the council money on providing meals for councillors was withdrawn.

During the discussion, Councillor Carolyn Wilson, Chairman of the Resources Committee, reported that a cross party working group of councillors was considering measures to ensure that members’ spending was as cost effective as possible. She said that catering was an area being examined to ensure value for money.