Proposed changes to make Dundee City Council more transparent have been slammed as “nothing more than a tick-box exercise”.
Labour Leader Kevin Keenan has hit out at proposed changes to scrutiny arrangements by outgoing chief executive David Dorward.
In a report to go before members tonight, Mr Dorward has said that current scrutiny measures “appear to be working well” but accepts that there is a need for “more formal evidence” that transparency is being achieved.
He has recommended the introduction of an annual programme of reports to ensure the scrutiny committee can act effectively.
But Mr Keenan slammed the proposed changes that he said are likely to be “imposed” on members.
He told The Courier: “Proposed changes to the scrutiny committee are no more than a tick-box exercise by the administration in an attempt to address criticism by the external auditors.
“The proposed changes are likely to be imposed on the scrutiny committee without giving the convener or its members the opportunity to offer any constructive proposals of their own.
“If the SNP administration really wanted to demonstrate openness and transparency, then these changes must go further,” he added.
Mr Keenan, who as leader of the opposition is convener of the scrutiny committee, said that he hoped to reach a bipartisan agreement on more far-reaching changes to make council decision making more transparent.
He said these would include appointing a dedicated officer to help the scrutiny committee, as well as the ability to recall items previously reviewed.
The Strathmartine member added: “Councillors are appointed to council by the citizens of Dundee and empowered by them to act on their behalf, so why not at the scrutiny committee?
“As the convener of that committee, I believe that it is only common courtesy to demonstrate that council take all matters seriously and the scrutiny committee is the best place for this to be taken forward.
“I hope that consensus can be reached on how matters are taken forward as we look for continuous improvement hoping that there is never any need for a formal vote to be taken and that we collectively act in the best interests of this city.”
SNP administration leader Ken Guild rounded on the claims, saying Mr Keenan and the opposition have been obstructive.
He said: “Councillor Keenan has gone out of his way to be as obstructive as possible of all of our endeavours he has not taken part in a single one of them.
“Kevin Keenan does not put ‘constructive’ and ‘opposition’ in the same sentence.”
The report into the scrutiny committee will go before members at a meeting of the city council’s policy and resources committee this evening.