Moray Lib Dems demand investigation over 'short-sighted' Buckie High decision
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THE decision to shelve the rebuilding of Buckie Community High School has been branded "short-sighted" by Les Tarr, the Lib Dem candidate in the Buckie by-election.
Moray Lib Dems have also called for an investigation into the leaking of what was deemed as “private and confidential” information by the Moray Council’s governing Conservative group, only for the decision to be attacked by their own parties’ candidate for the By-Election.
Mr Tarr said: "This is just another example of both the short-sighted approach of the current minority administration as it seeks to appease its supporters in the west of the council area, but also highlights the state of education funding in Scotland.
"There has been chronic underfunding by the Scottish Government of education in Scotland over the last 14-years. A new build community high school would have helped improve the facilities for pupils in the area but would also have helped to address the anti-social behaviour issues.
"The nature of the decision to first keep the recommendation behind closed doors till the by-election was over, and the subsequent leaking of the decision smacks of party politics overriding the needs of the local community.’’
Mr Tarr added: "Like the other candidates, if elected I will fight to get the rebuild back on track. I would also raise the needs of residents above party politics.
"I would also be asking the administration leaders why the decision was made to keep the matter private till the by-election was over. But also, who was responsible for the leak and what sanctions they intend to enact.”
Neil Alexander, Convener of the Moray Lib Dems, has called for an investigation into the behaviour of councillors with access to what was deemed as private information. He has accused the Moray Council’s governing Conservative group of “gaming the system”.
He said: "There is no doubt, Buckie needs a new high school.
"What I don’t understand is that at the last council meeting the decision on what happens with the high school was deemed to be private and confidential due to the by-election. Yet, the candidate for the governing party of Moray Council is the first to come out speaking against the decision.
"This is unacceptable behaviour and an attempt to game the system for votes. Each councillor involved in the decision-making process should have their conduct investigated to find out who leaked the information."
However, Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Conservative, Forres), the council leader, vigorously denied the Lib Dem accusations, branding them "desparate".
She said: "The papers are in the public domain and have been since [last] Friday afternoon.
"The papers were also previously in the public domain before the last full council meeting.
"As leader of the Conservative group, I completely refute these accusations as a desperate attempt to disrupt democracy."
Tim Eagle, the Conservative candidate in the Buckie by-election, stated the allegations were "deeply untrue".
He continued: "This is simply not true, of course we are all concerned about the change in prospects for Buckie High, not least me given I spent hours discussing and fighting for this but to suggest there is any leaking is a massive and deeply untrue accusation.
"The papers are online for anyone to see, when I noticed it was live I shared it with various groups in the town and reacted on what I read. Lib Dems only need to access Moray CMIS to see it for themselves."
Also standing for election are: Keighly Goudie (Scottish Labour Party); Neil Houlden; John Stuart (Scottish National Party).
The by-election takes place this Thursday, with a result due on Friday.
