Councillor demands chief executive answers

A MORAY councillor has demanded an explanation in a bid to find out what action can be taken against the local authority’s chief executive if he steps beyond his remit.

Councillor Douglas Ross was speaking at Moray Council’s Audit and Performance Committee, one week after council chief executive Alastair Keddie decided to withdraw a controversial report from a meeting of elected members who were set to decide whether a western distributor road would be routed along Elgin’s Wittet Drive.

It meant that no decision was taken by councillors, with Mr Keddie believing it would be more appropriate to wait until after the Moray Economic Strategy, which takes into account the closure of RAF Kinloss and uncertainty surrounding the Lossiemouth air base, is published in June.

Last week’s decision by Mr Keddie was blasted by a number of councillors.

And speaking this week, Councillor Ross (Fochabers Lhanbryde) said he would like to know the details of Mr Keddie’s specific role, his remit and his responsibilities.

"There seems to have been decisions made in spite of, rather than in co-operation with, elected members," said the Conservative councillor.

"I want to hear what can be done, and what action can be taken against the chief executive if he exceeds his remit.

"During the elections next year, voters have to know they are voting for decision-makers and not lobby fodder for the officers on this council."

A report is expected to return to the committee at a later date.

For the full story, see Friday's edition of 'The Scot'.