Power, power, power
The final list of elected positions in the Comahirle came to my attention, and I replicate part of it below:
Convener: Alex A MacDonald
Vice-Convener and Chair of Policy and Resources: Angus Campbell
Vice-Chair of Policy and Resources: Norman MacDonald
Chair of Education: Morag Munro
Vice-Chair of Education: Catriona Stewart
Chair of Environment and Protective Services: Norman MacDonald
Vice-Chair of Environment and Protective Services: Kenneth Murray
Chair of Sustainable Development: Archie Campbell
Vice-Chair of Sustainable Development: Annie MacDonald
Chair of Transportation: Donald Manford
Vice-Chair of Transportation: Donald John MacSween
Chair of Audit & Scrutiny: Donald Nicholson
Vice-Chair of Audit & Scrutiny: Angus MacCormack
The problem seems to lie with Norman MacDonald also being Chair of Human Resources i.e. in charge of employment, and Chair of the ICT & Asset Management Committee i.e. in charge of the infrastructure. Both these committees report directly to Policy and Resources. Angus MacCormack has quite rightly pointed out that this concentrates a huge amount of power and control into the hands of one person, and may not allow for proper consideration and scrutiny of Comhairle policies as they come through the system.
In my view, the Chair of Human Resources and the Chair of ICT should not be either Chair or Vice-Chair of Policy and Resources, so as to allow the clear perception of independence between those committees and the parent committee. I sincerely hope that this situation does not persist, and some remedy can be sought.
I also understand that there are some rumblings that by being Vice-Chair of P&R, as well as Chair of Environment, Norman MacDonald has deprived another member of a responsibility payment, but I'm sure that's not a major issue.
Convener: Alex A MacDonald
Vice-Convener and Chair of Policy and Resources: Angus Campbell
Vice-Chair of Policy and Resources: Norman MacDonald
Chair of Education: Morag Munro
Vice-Chair of Education: Catriona Stewart
Chair of Environment and Protective Services: Norman MacDonald
Vice-Chair of Environment and Protective Services: Kenneth Murray
Chair of Sustainable Development: Archie Campbell
Vice-Chair of Sustainable Development: Annie MacDonald
Chair of Transportation: Donald Manford
Vice-Chair of Transportation: Donald John MacSween
Chair of Audit & Scrutiny: Donald Nicholson
Vice-Chair of Audit & Scrutiny: Angus MacCormack
The problem seems to lie with Norman MacDonald also being Chair of Human Resources i.e. in charge of employment, and Chair of the ICT & Asset Management Committee i.e. in charge of the infrastructure. Both these committees report directly to Policy and Resources. Angus MacCormack has quite rightly pointed out that this concentrates a huge amount of power and control into the hands of one person, and may not allow for proper consideration and scrutiny of Comhairle policies as they come through the system.
In my view, the Chair of Human Resources and the Chair of ICT should not be either Chair or Vice-Chair of Policy and Resources, so as to allow the clear perception of independence between those committees and the parent committee. I sincerely hope that this situation does not persist, and some remedy can be sought.
I also understand that there are some rumblings that by being Vice-Chair of P&R, as well as Chair of Environment, Norman MacDonald has deprived another member of a responsibility payment, but I'm sure that's not a major issue.
11 comments:
Docus works fulltime at WIE too?!? How does he manage it?
Snout in trough methinks.
Why did they let him get so many positions? I blame the councilors themselves and they shouldnt be moaning. its their fault.
I belive Docus is working his notice at WIE which will please a lot of community groups.
But I would like to know by what criteria Councillors are elected to specific posts, it does look as though it is just turn about.
Anyway they will have enough contraversial stuff to get on with such as secondary schools, It will be interesting to see them try to wriggle out of some tough but neccessary decisions on that one and also the report on the ferry where the Sunday option is by far the best value scenario. Should have those with a slipping halo working overtime on that.
Working his notice, or told to work his notice? I think we should be told.
Any truth in the rumour that someone was trying to make a gift to Port of Ness Harbour, and Norman tried to persuade them to gift the money to Uig instead???
He doesnt appear on the contact list for WIE and I dont think he ever has.
How did he get the job that was never advertised anyway?
Labour 7 SNP 4 and 2 floating.
Wasn't like that in your day....
The problem with Cllr Norman MacDonald being chairman of Environment and Vice Chair of P&R is not that he is depriving someone of the opportunity of earning more money. Rather it is that in creating the role of senior councillor the Comhairle (including you at that time) decided that these roles were more demanding. In taking on two senior councillor roles Cllr MacDonald may find he is not able to carry out all the responsibilities.
It's hard to believe that the council lineup could actually be worse (re. the large windfarms issue) than before May 3rd, but that's the way it's turned out.
With the SNP being against the large projects, the situation will probably get even worse than in the last few years, especially if the executive tries to force the windfarms on the people.
Dave, why did the anti-windfarm campaingers do badly? Lack of support perchance?
SNP don't oppose large windfarms, but special pleading by our MP and MSP might keep us poor and dependent on Edinburgh's munificence, rather than allow the economy here to grow.
'the other dave', I've heard this being said by Angus among others, about the anti-windfarm campaigners doing badly (is there alink to the actual vote results for the council elections? I've never seen the actual numbers yet).
The point, surely, is that the areas directly affected by the large schemes, south Pairc and the west side have a lineup of councillors who are ALL against these projects. There is a good reason for that. Other areas have councillors who are all for the schemes...I'm sure there are reasons for that too.
Dave, I have said this before on Isles FM and I was explicitly referring to Iain MacLeod, MWT Vice-Chair (Barvas) and John Angus MacDonald (Laxay). I expected to see Iain elected (and I think he would have been an excellent voice in the Comahirle), so I was surprised by the outcome.
As any proposals affect the whole of the Western Isles - traffic, work, power lines - it could appear a bad case of NIMBYism in the two wards you refer to.
Given that the Eishken power lines plan was well known just before the election, then why did this not affect the result in N Lochs?
I think the situation is more complicated than you suggest.
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