The credibility of St Andrews Community Council has been called into question, after it emerged that two formal complaints have been lodged by parents over its stance on the proposed new single-site Madras College at Pipeland.
Two parents, who are members of pro-Pipeland campaign group Parent Voice, have lodged formal written complaints, amid claims the community council has shown “utter contempt” for public opinion by objecting to the proposed Pipeland site and not consulting properly.
A community council investigations team, made up entirely of St Andrews community councillors, has already concluded the organisation has no case to answer.
But community councillors were warned on Monday night that if the complaints are escalated, a possible external investigation by Fife Council could lead to the enforced dissolution of St Andrews Community Council and the potential banning of members from standing again.
Now, amid warnings from St Andrews University that the community council needs to show the highest levels of governance if its reputation is to remain intact, the community council is to seek advice from the Scottish Government and Fife Council on whether it has indeed adhered to the appropriate governance rules.
St Andrews University director of communications Niall Scott, who is a co-opted member of the community council, said: “The bigger issue seems to me to be about governance, that we are investigating ourselves. No matter how honestly this process is carried out, it doesn’t look good and does not give the public confidence. ”
Community council chairman Kyffin Roberts said it is clear under regulations it is the job of community councils to investigate complaints in the first instance. He hopes it will not move on to a “higher level”.
Community councillor Ian Goudie said he would be “happy to defend what we have done at any forum in the land”.
He said St Andrews was doing what community councils had been doing in Scotland since the 1970s. But communitycouncillor Henry Paul said he “vehemently disagreed” with the way the community council had handled the matter so far. He said if the community council judged itself against Scottish Government Best Governance guidelines, it was “guilty as charged”.
Community councillor Ronnie Murphy also expressed concern, adding: “I don’t think we have a mandate as a community council because the town is not united on this issue.”
Given the chance to speak from the public gallery, one of the complainers, St Andrews father-of-two David McCallum, said: “The community council’s actions are not what I would expect from a democratic body. It has shown utter contempt in spades. I don’t believe it represents the views in the town. It must be escalated. I’m sorry.”