Central government control is turning local councillors into puppets, according to an elected member who has turned his back on party politics.
Perth and Kinross councillor Mike Barnacle, who represents Kinross-shire, spoke out after seeing colleague Ken Lyall resign from the local authority, blaming “disillusionment” with politics.
Mr Lyall brought 12 years’ service to the Highland ward to an end with the decision to seek a new life in Tasmania along with his family after finding it increasingly difficult to “toe the line” demanded by party politics.
His comments have been echoed by independent councillor Mr Barnacle. He stepped down from the Liberal Democrat group in the wake of the sale of Kinross Town Hall, claiming the opinions of local councillors were being ignored and that a “democratic deficit” existed in Perth and Kinross.
“I share Mr Lyall’s disillusionment with party party politics, having resigned from the Liberal Democrat group at Perth and Kinross Council in November 2008,” Mr Barnacle said. “While I cannot comment on the internal party machinations of the SNP, I have never known a time in local government when such control is exercised over it from the central government in Edinburgh under the SNP.
“After the recent parliamentary election we are faced with a further five years of council tax freeze which, although politically popular, is unsustainable financially and leaves local authorities with little option but to agree and carry out their roles as mere agents of government policy.
“Ultimately I decided that my first and overriding duty was to act in the interests of the local people and communities who elected me for a third term in May 2007.”
Mr Barnacle wondered if Mr Lyall could have considered declaring independent status. The Highland councillor had suggested as he resigned that the forthcoming by-election would be a great opportunity for an independent candidate.
Mr Barnacle believes his decision to become an independent councillor has been “absolutely the correct decision”, but admitted the consequences had not been easy to take.
“My experience is that on Perth and Kinross Council independent councillors are marginalised and peripheral,” he said. “As a consequence of declaring myself independent I am now excluded from representation at council committees, excepting full council.
“In December 2008 the administration moved quickly and vindictively to remove me from the environment committee and strategic waste management group, which I had convened prior to the May 2007 elections, and also from council representation on the Forth Estuary Transport Authority.
“I am also currently excluded from budget discussions with other political group leaders that the council’s corporate management team undertake and from any political briefings on policy initiatives.
“I have taken up the issue of the role of independents as a concept and as regards representation on council committees, groups and outside bodies with both COSLA (the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) and Perth and Kinross Council’s chief executive, but without any success.”