Liberal Democrat councillor for Mannofield, Airyhall, Braeside, Broomhill, Garthdee, Kaimhill and Ruthrieston Learn more
by Ian Yuill on 30 June, 2020
The Liberal Democrats have condemned a decision by just three councillors to make millions of pounds worth of cuts to council services in Aberdeen.
The decision to make these cuts was made by the Conservative, “Aberdeen Labour” and Independent Alliance Group Leaders at the 30th June meeting of Aberdeen City Council’s Urgent Business Committee.
Liberal Democrat Group Leader Ian Yuill said: “The council’s finances have been hard hit by the pandemic. It is between a rock and a hard place. No one would argue that substantial changes need to be made to the council budget.”
Councillor Yuill continued: “The Liberal Democrats believe though, that in the interest of openness and democracy, changes to the council budget should have been made by all 44 councillors. Sadly the Conservative, ‘Aberdeen Labour’ and Independent Alliance Group Leaders were happy for this decision to be made in a meeting of just five councillors. Such an important decision being made by a small group of councillors is not in the best interests of democracy, openness or the people of Aberdeen.”
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6 Comments
Was it legal to hold a meeting with only 5 present?
It is situations like this that make me lose all faith in some of our councillors.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Fiona Benzie.
Yes it was legal.
Certainly not democratic and surely for such important decisions there should always be a quorum, of say plus fifty per cent of the Council in attendance.
Jim
I believed we lived in a democracy but obviously the Aberdeen City Council do not think so. Surely for the sake of clarity no meetings should be in private or with a clique of councillors. Why bother voting in so many councillors if just 5 can dominate. This needs wider publicity before the next Council elections.
I fully agree with the above replies and again would ask will their salary have a reduction since they have not so many meetings?
I am surprised it is legal.
I fully agree with the above comments.
If we only need 5 Councillors why pay for 44. The City would be much richer.