The decision to build Perth’s new leisure centre at Thimblerow has been slammed as “an affront to democracy”.
Council Leader Grant Laing invoked a rarely used Standing Order during Wednesday’s meeting to forgo a debate on the proposals, instead moving councillors straight to a vote.
The controversial £74m plan was agreed without the usual discussions following a messy and lengthy meeting in the council chamber riddled with breaks and delays.
The Tories had put forward their own proposal to build the new leisure centre at Glover Street and to retain Bell’s Sports Centre as a multi-use indoor facility.
However, due to the invoking of the little-known rule, this amendment was never debated.
For clarity, the Standing Order itself was only passed after a majority of councillors voted it through.
‘They’re not listening’
John Duff, leader of the council’s Conservative group, said his party was opposed to the Thimblerow and Bell’s Sports Centre plans.
The Tories argue that the current Perth Leisure Pool location on Glover Street would allow for a bigger complex to be built.
“There is a lot of anger and frustration amongst the people of Perth over the SNP’s plans,” said Councillor Duff.
“They’re not listening to the residents, businesses or sports bodies who clearly see this as a backward step for Perth and it was outrageous that they refused to hold a debate on the matter in the council chamber.”
The decision day began with dozens of protesters gathered outside council chambers pleading for Bell’s Sports Centre to be reinstated as a indoor facility.
Instead, it will be turned into a £10m unheated events space with artificial pitches.
Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland, Liz Smith, said: “The decision to use a Standing Order to stifle any debate on the future of Bell’s Sports Centre is an affront to democracy and the SNP councillors in Perth and Kinross should realise this.
“It is a shocking way to behave and it shows once again how out of touch this SNP council are.
“Many residents and sports groups bitterly oppose the PH2O plan and can see it is a short-sighted plan that will not provide adequate sports provision in Perth and Perthshire.
“I am lost for words following this ludicrous move.”
The Council Leader’s response
Councillor Laing said he stood by his decision to bypass the usual debate.
“The provision under Standing Orders to move straight to a vote is rarely used, and indeed on the past two occasions I can recall them being used I voted against it because I felt there was still useful discussion to be had on those occasions,” said the Council Leader.
“However, yesterday’s council meeting had already included several hours where elected members had been able to listen to information and ask questions of both deputes and officers to allow everyone in the chamber to form a decision on how they wanted to vote.
“It was clear to me from the framing of the questions that everyone in the room had already made up their minds and further discussion would only have taken up more time rather than usefully informing the final decision.”
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