Moray Council administration will not have to resign over ‘lack of confidence’ motion
Details of a coming vote about whether there is a “lack of confidence” in Moray Council’s leadership have been released.
The SNP motion, submitted today, will see councillors vote on whether to criticise senior administration figures.
However, a Moray Council spokesperson has confirmed that the motion would not require the administration to resign if passed.
Sparked by an ongoing row over a withdrawn press release about the future of Moray’s libaries, the vote will take place during a special full council meeting on Thursday, December 19.
The motion reveals that the statement which began the row on Monday was published before two meetings in which “an updated position on Library proposals was on the agenda for both meetings as part of the agreed budget process”.
Quoting Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Forres, Conservative) and Depute Leader Councillor Donald Gatt (Keith and Cullen, Conservative), the Conservative press release stated that a plan to close seven of Moray’s 11 libraries was “no longer on the table” after a consultation revealed public opposition.
However, three hours later, a party spokesperson withdrew the statement and said: “We apologise for any confusion that has been created by the earlier release”.
The Conservatives sent an updated statement, centring on the administration’s decision to oppose the original plans for library closures, and apologised while confirming that Cllr Robertson and Cllr Gatt had not seen the press release beforehand.
SNP group leader Councillor Scott Lawrence (Forres) proposed the new motion to be voted on next week, seconded by group depute leader Councillor Sonya Warren (Buckie).
The motion alleges that the administration “disrespected council officers” by arguing that officials had “full responsibility” for the library proposals.
It adds: “Furthermore, employees affected by these proposals were not consulted before the statement was released.”
The withdrawn statement “not only caused confusion and upset”, but “called into question the competence and reputation of Moray Council”.
“Most worryingly of all following the redaction and subsequent ‘correction’ of the original press release, it was revealed that neither the Council Leader nor Depute leader had prior sight of a press release containing quotes from both and a falsely stated council position,” the motion adds.
Several actions are proposed by the new motion.
First, that councillors agree to note that a “lack of confidence in the Council leader and the administration group” in connection with their approach to budget-setting.
Second, that councillors agree to push for “a recognition of failings and genuine willingness to learn and change”, alongside a pledge to respect collaborative working.
Third, that council policy positions go through “the correct democratic procedure” and press releases about policy changes are “issued through the correct process”.
Fourth, the motion requests “further training” on the Councillor’s Code of Conduct.
Finally, it asks councillors to agree that - if the previous four actions are not carried out - the Council Leader and Depute Leader should “refer themselves to the standards commission for breach of the code of conduct.
