There was an item considered at this week’s Policy
and Resources Committee regarding conferences. A report was tabled recommending
that the council’s chief executive be given delegated authority to approve the attendance
of councillors at conferences and certain one-off events. I appreciate that
some business has to be delegated to officers to ensure the efficient running of
the council but I don’t think this falls into that category.
Until now attendance at
conferences required to be specifically authorised by committee for each event.
It is my view that decisions to send councillors to conferences should be
transparent and made in public so that taxpayers can see how their money is
being spent.
Personally I don’t agree that
there is a need to send councillors to conferences, especially at a time when the
council has to make significant savings in its budget. Instead I think it is
perfectly acceptable for council managers who attend conferences in their
professional capacity to cascade any information to councillors on their
return. Conferences are very expensive; some of them cost hundreds of pounds
per attendee, and I think the money could be better spent.
At the meeting I moved that the attendance
of elected members at conferences or one-off events should remain within the remit of
the relevant council committee to ensure on going public scrutiny of this expenditure.
My amendment won the support of the opposition councillors but was defeated by
the SNP majority.
