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MikeDunbar
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| 13 Oct 2007 05:28:02 |
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| In May Alex Salmond’s SNP emerged from the Scottish elections and pledged to create a Scotland of prosperity.
Out went the rumours and the tipster's Trilby in Musselburgh. In came, apparently, reward for enterprise and endeavour, government with responsibility, the lunatic fringe contained, tea and Tiffin with Whitehall. All on the way to an amicable divorce.
The SNP manifest had promised to focus on the needs of Scottish commuters.
“Our aim is to make the biggest difference for the most number of Scots, which means that we will prioritise projects designed to ease the commute, remove bottlenecks and improve the quality of life for people in all parts of our country.”
Fine words and uttered only in May.
On October 2nd all of the SNP members of Aberdeen City Council Area North Committee voted in favour of a traveller's halt at the Park & Ride. It looked very much like a coach and horses clattering through sustainable transport policy - virtually the one thing widely accepted as being critical to continued economic development in the North-East of Scotland.
Ah well... A week's a long time in politics.
This about turn raises several questions. Not least of which is whether the SNP led Scottish government will continue to support funding for the much awaited AWPR if Aberdeen City Council is engaged in measures likely to increase road traffic and defeat the purpose of the new road.
It is widely held that the SNP is under immense financial pressure to deliver on its manifesto commitments. Scraps, particularly with Labour, occur weekly in Holyrood. The SNP has already taken the opportunity to ditch the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link on grounds of cost and was only forced to keep the Edinburgh Tram project by its minority position. It seems to be in the process of substituting words for the 1000 additional policemen which it promised when chasing votes.
So there can be little doubt that saving the thick end of a billion quid from the WPR would cause the SNP to lick its lips if a way could be found to spin it. Alex Salmond has already said that he will abide by the recommendation of the Reporter following a public inquiry, even if it’s a verdict against. Hardly an unequivocal road commitment. By casting doubt on its own commitment to sustainable transport Aberdeen City Council may have unwittingly provided the ammunition required to review the funding.
That the council has apparently chosen to play poker with the WPR is surprising. Or would be were it not Aberdeen City Council where, it has been reported, the municipal wheels are lubricated in the most intriguing ways. Unfortunately this council often gives the impression of having substituted random thought for cohesive policy. The Park & Ride is being heavily subsidised by tax payers to expand its use.
Wendy Stuart, SNP the Councillor for Kingswells & Sheddocksley who also voted for change of use of the Park & Ride, is of course bound by the code of conduct for Scottish Councillors, which can be viewed at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2002/04/14492/2560#2
Amongst many other things, it advises councillors on :
Openness
You have a duty to be as open as possible about your decisions and actions, giving reasons for your decisions and restricting information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
Accountability and Stewardship
You are accountable for your decisions and actions to the public. You have a duty to consider issues on their merits, taking account of the views of others, and you must ensure that the Council uses its resources prudently and in accordance with the law.
In terms of the code of conduct it would not seem unreasonable for Councillor Stuart's constituents to ask her to explain why she voted for a Traveller's Halt at the Park & Ride. It may be that she :
• Identified benefits to her constituents.
• Identified common cause with a policy of sustainable transport.
• Did not view change of use of the Park & Ride as having any bearing on funding for the proposed WPR.
• Came under party political pressure.
It is only fair that she should be given the opportunity to explain all of the above and anything else which might have influenced her decision.
Aberdeen City Council is to consider again the Park & Ride proposal on November 21st at a full council meeting.
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concraig
Posts:0
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| 13 Oct 2007 12:27:20 |
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| Just to add to the above info,Wendy Stuart's email address is WStuart@aberdeencity.gov.uk. Note the first two letters are upper case. |
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