The leader of Dundee City Council has denied his administration operates under a veil of secrecy.
SNP councillor Jimmy Black, who announced he is is standing down as a councillor at next year’s local government elections, said the council operates in an “outdated and secretive manner”.
He criticised the council for its lack of transparency, particularly regarding the increase in cost of the V&A.
Mr Black also called for council meetings to be be broadcast online, so voters could see their elected representatives at work.
He said many voters would not vote for their councillors again if they saw them in action – although it is understood he has since emailed all 28 councillors to apologise for any offence his comments may have caused.
Council leader Ken Guild has now poured cold water over suggestions that committee meetings could be broadcast online.
He said such a move would be a waste of money – and that few members of the public ever attend meetings.
He said: “There have been some councils who have broadcast meetings and they have found it cost thousands of pounds, with very little uptake from the public.
“This is not a new idea, it is an idea that has already been proved to be unsuccessful in other councils, north and south of the border.
“We have a public gallery and it is rare that we get more than one or two people attending meetings.”
While Mr Guild said he respected his colleague’s right to have an opinion, he claimed Mr Black’s comments were “ironic” because the administration has taken steps to ensure openness in its business.
He added: “It is ironic that he has made these comments.
“We are the most open administration since the city council was formed.
“I personally introduced the scrutiny committee for the first time in the history of the city council.
“I also ensured it was chaired by the leader of the opposition in the interest of openness.
“We have done our best to give as much notice as possible with our budget proposals, in contrast with previous administrations.
“In the past, the opposition only found out the day before the budget what the proposal was.
“I think it is ironic that in the light of these facts Jimmy Black has made these comments.”
Mr Black, who has been a councillor for 10 years, will stand down next year.
He has said he is will continued to push for committee meetings to be broadcast to increase scrutiny of the council.
