http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-39717220

 

How is it possible that a council member would have to consult with a solicitor in order to find out whether they owned a piece of land that was subject to council funding?

 

Is it really possible that there's an innocent explanation for any of this?  Maybe someone more knowledgeable about council proceeding can shed some light, because I surely can't think of one. 

 

Thoughts?

 

Aberdeen City Council has admitted to a "serious failing" after repairs worth £200,000 were ordered to a cycle path without proper approval.

Work at the path involving a boundary wall on Wellington Brae in the Ferryhill area has been suspended while an investigation takes place.

Aberdeen City Council said there was doubt over who owns the land.

However, BBC Scotland understands it is owned by councillor Willie Young, the authority's finance convener.

He has denied any wrongdoing, and said he was waiting to hear from his solicitor whether he owns the land or not.

The council said approval for the project did not follow the required governance procedures and was not presented for committee approval.

It said an urgent review was under way.

The path is cordoned off but no repair work is taking place.

The project was to be fully funded by cycling charity Sustrans, which awarded just over £21,000 for preliminary work, with the full funding to be paid when the work was completed.

'Establish clarity'

Bernadette Marjoram, Aberdeen City Council's interim director of communities, housing and infrastructure, said: "The Wellington Brae cycleway repairs were first considered by officers of the council in 2016 following storm damage.

"Aberdeen City Council acknowledges the project did not subsequently follow the required governance procedures and was not presented for committee approval at any stage in the process.

"This is a serious failing by council officers and therefore an urgent review is under way. In light of this, work has been suspended."

Wellington Brae

She explained: "The project, which was to be fully funded by Sustrans, was instigated by staff of the planning and sustainable development service in conjunction with Sustrans on the basis the section is part of a national network.

"It should be stated no works were requested by landowners in the area surrounding the path and nor did any landowner seek funding for repairs.

"At this stage the ownership of the land is in question. Aberdeen City Council is urgently seeking to establish clarity in this respect.

"To reiterate, no elected member of Aberdeen City Council was given the opportunity to consider the Wellington Brae project at committee or was party to any decision taken."

 

 

Poverty's the problem not the nationality.

 

Voting Tory will sort that out though, eh?

 

In..........a............ nutshell.