Correcting what Cllr Robb said

Jun 19 2009

IT is with disappointment that I note the comments attributed to Councillor James Robb in the Lennox Herald last week relating to unanimous decisions taken by Argyll and Bute Council on May 22 which brought about a number of changes in the political management of the council.

I would prefer to ignore such totally inaccurate comments that bear no relationship to the facts, but having said that, I find that I have no choice but to correct the statement by Cllr Robb relating to the proposed new swimming pool and leisure facility for Helensburgh.

In it, he states that it “was within our grasp but they (referring to myself, Cllr Vivien Dance and Cllr Danny Kelly) were not prepared to carry through their original agreement to support it”.

The facts are that on March 16, members of the administration (including Cllr Robb) agreed an approach, proposed by myself, to secure major additional funding for this facility.

Unfortunately, three days later on March 19, prior to the council meeting and without any consultation with his local coalition colleagues, Cllr Robb approached the leader of the council to try and change that agreement.

As a result of this late interjection by Cllr Robb, the meeting had to be adjourned and the agreement was lost, along with the potential to secure major additional funds towards the cost of the new facility.

It was Cllr Robb who was not prepared to carry through on the original agreement and certainly not myself, Cllr Dance or Cllr Kelly.

In the same article, Cllr Robb states that the changes will leave us with “little influence in the powerful council cabinet”.

Argyll and Bute Council does not have a cabinet. The council has a 16-strong executive committee with decision-making powers delegated by full council.

The Helensburgh and Lomond area has four representatives on the Executive as follows: myself (Independent), Cllr Ellen Morton – Liberal Democrat, Cllr Gary Mulvaney – Conservative and Cllr Dance – Independent.

Councillor George Freeman

Chairman Helensburgh and Lomond Area Committee

Argyll and Bute Council