SNP group blast leisure 'pantomime'

Iain Robertson • Published 28 Oct 2009 12:39 3 Comments

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THE SNP GROUP has accused a Labour councillor of turning Clackmannanshire's leisure provision into a pantomime.

The accusation came after the portfolio holder for culture and sport, Bobby McGill, appeared before the scrutiny committee - but refused to answer questions not previously submitted to him in writing.

Mr McGill said this protocol had been agreed in advance of last week's meeting, but he did promise to respond to any questions SNP councillors put to him in writing within 14 days.

SNP councillor Gary Womersley, said he was not willing to "go through the pantomime of submitting a prescriptive list of questions to the portfolio holder in advance".

He added, "Councillor McGill, in my mind, stands accused of turning the serious business of council into a pantomime with his calls of 'oh no I won't,' when asked to update councillors on what he has been doing or not, as is the case with the long overdue leisure strategy, or what his view on Zones and the Equestrian Centre were."

However, Mr McGill was unfazed by the accusations and refused to be drawn into a debate, reiterating he was only following what had been agreed prior to the meeting.

The SNP group criticsed Mr McGill for failing to deliver on a promise they say he made two years ago to place a leisure and sport development plan in front of council.

SNP councillor Mark English said, "The council agreed an outline strategy in August of 2007 which stated that the council was to create a facility development plan, a sports development plan and a leisure development plan.

"This was to be brought back to council for approval before implementation. That was over two years ago and nothing has been done, so I think the public have a right to know what he has been doing all this time".

In response, Mr McGill said he envisaged a strategy coming before council early in the new year.

The future of the Equestrian Centre was another issue raised at the meeting with Mr McGill saying he expected options on its destiny to be forthcoming soon.

He also confirmed that all but one of the user groups - Alva Community Council - housed in the soon to be demolished Dalmore Centre have been relocated.

Councilllors also heard that future partnerships with other local authorities could be considered as a possible way forward for improving leisure provision in the Wee County.

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Alistair
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Nov 1, 11:20
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In no way could I ever be regarded as a supporter of the SNP however in terms of the calibre of some of our local labour councillors, my loyalty is severely stretched. Bobby McGill, through his political posturing, has brought the council into disrepute. As leisure portfolio holder, he should have both the knowledge and capacity to field impromptu questioning by any other councillors whether they are SNP, Liberal or Conservative (with a small C in Clacks case!!!). Instead, he displays a contempt not only for his labour colleagues, but for us, the taxpayer. The man is not worthy of being a labour councillor.

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kevin
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Nov 5, 14:38
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string them ALL up and its high time for a revolution, we have been screwed for far far too long, i view people that want to become a politician ans someone who wants to become a dentist, a butcher lol

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kevin
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Nov 5, 14:38
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BOBBY GET OUT

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