Angus Council democracy has been called into question ahead of what could be a controversial closing chapter in the Arbroath library row.
As councillors prepare to consider a report firmly recommending the transfer of the historic building out of the town common good and into a general fund, other leading figures have joined independent councillor Bob Spink in continuing criticism over the handling of the issue.
A fresh twist has been Mr Spink’s anger over being denied access to official reports on the library plan, but officials stood by the decision not to release legal counsel’s opinion to the elected member.
But the move failed to deflect criticism from the head of Arbroath’s oldest secular organisation, dean of Arbroath Guildry Ian Lamb, who said: “I am totally appalled by the situation Councillor Spink is revealing.
“If it is correct that council officers are refusing to supply information about the administration of the council to our elected members, then it surely runs a coach and horses through the democracy of local government.
“There is absolutely no doubt that former Provost David Corsar of the Elms bought, refurbished, extended and gifted the old academy building to the people of Arbroath to house the town’s lending library.
“As such, there can be no dubiety this building should remain as one of the town’s common good fund assets and not be transferred into a general fund where its value is distributed thinly through the rest of Angus district… unless the long term plan is to eliminate common good funds.
“How can it be that a democratic debate and vote on a subject like this by our elected members can be ruled “incompetent”?
“Any town with a common good fund should be aware this is the thin end of the wedge and that Arbroath’s library could be only the first of this sort of asset to be removed in the start of the obliteration of common good funds.
“Are council officials intent on destroying the local heritage of towns in the area, making us all the poorer for their efforts?” he said.
Arbroath councillor Ewan Smith said he believed the council report, and Mr Spink’s position, continues to raise worrying questions.
“I am quite horrified at the prospect of betraying the wishes of someone who left something in their will to benefit the people of Arbroath,” Mr Smith said.
“This is a building of great significance and monetary value. The council may be allowed and advised to do this, but it is morally wrong to betray the wishes of someone who left this gift to the town.”
He added: “On the other issue, I am quite concerned by Mr Spink’s statement that he asked for information and was denied it.
“This is not the first time that this has happened as vice-convener of education I faced the same situation.
“I believe that if you are a councillor and information is available which will help you make a considered decision then you should be given that information.”
Last night a council spokesperson said: “It is the role of the senior legal adviser to the council to obtain advice as required from legal counsel, interpret it on behalf of the council, and then present the information to councillors in the form of a committee report.
“It has not been the council’s practice to issue counsel’s opinion to individual councillors.”