Angus Council’s deputy leader and a former Forfar councillor have defended the role of Angus Council’s scrutiny and audit committee in response to it being branded a waste of money.
The Courier revealedthat Arbroath councillor David Fairweather had stepped down from the committee and called for it to be scrapped.
He claimed the committee business could be spread to other committees and its other duties carried out by a panel of three members to save the public purse.
The council’s number two, Montrose councillor Paul Valentine, said the committee was vital in ensuring the council was achieving “good value for money”.
Mr Fairweather’s stance also “disappointed” former Forfar member Ron Scrimgeour who sat on the audit sub-committee from 2001 to 2006.
The body is responsible for corporate governance, risk management, internal audits and reviews of standards and levels of council services.
Mr Valentine said he was concerned to read the call for the committee to be scrapped given the “challenging” outlook for public spending.
He said: “It has never been more important for the council to ensure that it is achieving good value for money in all the services it delivers to the people of the county.
“Effective scrutiny is central in ensuring that our finances are used properly, efficiently and effectively.
“To achieve this, the cross-party members of the scrutiny and audit committee take a rigorous approach in reviewing the work of the council.
“As well as monitoring overall council performance in areas such as sickness absence, the committee has also established scrutiny panels with a wide-ranging remit to look in depth at services, find out how they are being delivered, and make recommendations for change if necessary.
“Those members who are involved in this process take their responsibilities very seriously and work hard to meet our objectives of establishing value for money and continuous improvement within a strong governance framework.”
He said: “In 2006 I applauded the foresight of council leader Bob Myles in expanding the role of scrutiny and appointing independent councillor Bob Spink as the convener of this essential committee.
“Councillor Fairweather should have at least had the courtesy to discuss his views with the committee chairman,” said Mr Valentine.
Mr Fairweather said he did not believe the committee was good value for money and that his resignation was a protest.
Mr Scrimgeour added: “I was disappointed but not surprised at Mr Fairweather’s grumpy and intemperate remarks about his perceived usefulness of the scrutiny and audit committee.
“Over the past several years it has been difficult to see any positive remarks made by him about Angus or Angus Council.
“Despite this, Angus scores consistently highly as a desirable place to live and people are more than happy with the majority of council services.”
Mr Fairweather has been assured by the chief executive of Angus Council that a review of the committee structures will take place next year.