Angus Council: Call for no confidence vote on council leader over handling of devastating Storm Babet
Councillors who signed the motion say the administration fell “short of expectations” in their handling of the destructive Storm Babet and its aftermath.
Last updated 30th Nov 2023
A motion seeking a vote of no confidence on Angus Council leader Beth Whiteside has been submitted following the handling of Storm Babet.
The motion also calls for a no-confidence vote on the current SNP/Independent coalition administration and the Scottish Government.
Councillors who signed the motion say the administration fell “short of expectations” in their handling of the destructive Storm Babet and its aftermath.
The motion will be put before councillors at a special full council meeting on Tuesday and has been signed by four Conservative councillors and three Independents.
Brechin battered by Storm Babet
Brechin was one of the worst hit areas when the storm battered the east coast of Scotland – leaving hundreds of households flooded.
Dozens of people remain homeless.
The council also came under fire due to mass confusion about when – or if – flood-hit residents of Brechin would be evacuated.
UK TV stations, having apparently been briefed by authorities, made announcements on Twitter, rolling news coverage and mobile phone updates, saying hundreds of residents would be removed from homes, but this could not be confirmed by the council leader or press office.
The motion calls for: “A vote of no confidence is taken on the leader of Angus Council, the SNP/coalition administration, and the Scottish Government that their handling of this disaster has been well short of expectations for the people of Brechin and Angus.”
The bid also requests that the council chief executive write to the Scottish Government and ask that Brechin be declared an ” Environmental Climate Vulnerable Area.”
Council leader defends response
However, Mrs Whiteside has defended her administration’s response to the disaster, accusing opposition leader Derek Wann of “political grandstanding”.
In a statement, she said: “In the midst of the extensive work being undertaken across Angus in the aftermath of Storm Babet, it is disappointing to note that the leader of the opposition is more concerned with political grandstanding than in pulling together to assist the recovery effort in our communities.
“In criticising myself and my administration, they are effectively attacking the actions of the council, which has provided such an outstanding response to the emergency.
“I’d like to personally thank everyone involved in what has been a traumatic and difficult experience and to express my sympathy to everyone affected.”
Mrs Whiteside maintains that the council, with help from the Scottish Government, will focus on helping those affected by the aftermath of the storm.
She added: “Myself, my administration and the majority of elected members will continue to focus on supporting the council officers to help rebuild our communities, assisting individuals and businesses affected by the flooding with practical, financial and psychological help.
“We will work collaboratively with the Scottish Government through the Ministerial Taskforce, which has been established in recognition of the scale of the emergency.
“Which will remain in place as we implement the short, medium and long-term plans that will be necessary to help Angus recover.”
Calls for more support from the Scottish Government
The Scottish Government has also been subject to stark criticism from the councillors.
The motion asks the Scottish Government to “reimburse” residents affected by the storm for belongings, equipment, income and wellbeing.
In the proposed motion it says: “The Scottish Government bring forward an Action Plan as a matter of urgency, including funding that will give assurance to residents and businesses they have not been forgotten or abandoned.”
It was announced by the Scottish Government earlier this month that people whose homes were hit by the worst flooding from Storm Babet will be able to claim grants of £1,500.
In addition, grants of £3,000 for businesses severely affected by the storm were announced.
Who has signed the motion?
The councillors who have signed the motion are as follows:
-Derek Wann (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)
-David Fairweather (Independent)
-Craig Fotheringham (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)
-Ross Greig (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)
-Ian McLaren (Independent)
-Gavin Nicol (Scottish Conservative and Unionist)
-Tommy Stewart (Independent)
The motion will be put before councillors at a special full council meeting on Tuesday.