February 13: Why the lack of transparency and need for a secret meeting?
- Published in the Courier : 13.02.12
- Published online : 13.02.12 @ 09.11am
Sir, - Last week I was one of several members of the public to be 'ejected' from a meeting of Angus Council because the elected members were about to hold a 'secret discussion'.
All I know about what was to be discussed was that it concerned the rejection of the Angus Schools Project by the Scottish Government.
I am also aware that Angus Council want to push ahead with their proposal regardless of local and government opposition.
The council have spent and continue to spend public money on this project.
I believe that they are considering spending more public money to take legal action to promote the already rejected proposal.
I would really like to know why they are so committed to this course of action. That is why I attended the meeting in the hope that I would have the opportunity to have those specific matters clarified.
With many other members of the public, I was asked to leave. I do not have any information about what the council intends to do in respect of the rejected project or why. Further, I do not know why I am not allowed to have access to that information.
Central to the rejection of the Angus Schools Project by the Scottish Government were issues concerning lack of transparency. Suddenly I am all too aware of how much I value living in an open and democratic society.
Fiona McClymont.
5 Camus Place,
Craigton of Monikie.
Sports hub is way forward
Sir, - I am delighted to hear that the Angus Alliance have indicated that our town of Forfar may now be in line for a new sports community hub which will include a swimming pool. We have waited an extremely long time in Forfar for our 101-year-old pool to be replaced as it has never previously been on the list of projects on the council capital plan.
Unfortunately it is clear that there is no room at the Vennel for a new pool to be built but, what seems to be even more enterprising, is the idea of a combined sports and leisure campus on the Forfar Academy site.
Having recently visited the new Montrose Leisure Centre, I believe there is no doubt that a combined sports hub is the best way forward and this will be a boost for both locals as well as visitors to our town.
Avril Simpson.
Field Studio,
Welton Corner,
Forfar.
We can't turn back clock
Sir, - Recent arguments in the correspondence columns regarding reintroducing the beaver, as it was once a native animal, must be carefully examined. The ecosystem has changed a great deal since they were last present and is continuing to change.
If one looks at the situation regarding polar bears it gives a clearer insight into where we are heading.
The Arctic island of Bjornoya, or Bear Island as we call it, was so named because of the presence of polar bears. Polar bears could not survive on this island now as there are no permanent snowfields.
Would supporters of beavers have us reintroduce this species back to Bjornoya? We must accept that the ecosystem has changed. We must take a stand to preserve what species we can in this new environment. We will lose species such as ptarmigan and snow buntings and we have to accept that. To introduce species that have gone is not really the road we should be going down.
I travel regularly to the Arctic and lecture on sustainability. To see the plight of many Arctic species, from fish stocks through to flora and land mammals, often leaves me wondering where man's persistent interference with nature will take us.
Single species interests or group species interests, such as the RSPB, are severely upsetting the ecological balance. Will we ever learn?
Eric McVicar.
Strontian,
Argyll.
All-time low in self-protection
Sir - The report about the young mother giving birth outside the locked doors of a new hospital reflects many things. Your editorial got it exactly right.
Apparently, the hospital had been informed of her impending arrival. The young lady would have been as well to have stayed at home and called an ambulance.
Why do we have to lock our hospitals at night? Crime? Our chief constables tell us crime levels are falling.
Indeed, there is no 'anti-hospital crime' by type. I'm sure hospitals were not locked at night when I was young — in the bad old days, of course, when you expected retribution for getting something wrong.
Why was there no receptionist/concierge/security official on duty, anyway, to open the door for emergency arrivals, or advise accordingly, or summon help? Can't afford it? Just fit some buzzers.
The NHS spokesperson's statistically chronological explanation/excuse reaches what must be an all-time low in abysmal self-protection.
Blame a newly-born baby for arriving too soon!
A. T. Geddie.
68 Carleton Avenue,
Glenrothes.
Stay in bed
Sir, - Your self-styled 'writer' Barry Phillips' odious contribution to the new, improved Courier regarding the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations was an utter disgrace.
He would do the paper's readers an enormous favour if he spent not only an extra half day in bed — which he claimed he would enjoy — but all day and every day.
Rarely, if ever, have I read such drivel.
G. Beedie.
Main Street,
Balbeggie.
Trump rant
Sir, - I was astounded to see Donald Trump objecting to the possible windfarm near his new golf course.
His claim the First Minister is "hell-bent on destroying Scotland's coastline" reminds me of remarks made by many locals who unreasonably objected to his golf course.
The government was right to reject that argument then and would be right to do so again in this case.
John Eoin Douglas.
7 Spey Terrace,
Edinburgh.
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