Angus Council: Council leader and administration survive vote of no confidence
Council leader and her administration survive vote of no confidence
Angus Council leader Beth Whiteside and her administration have survived a vote of no confidence over the handling of Storm Babet.
The motion also called for a no-confidence vote in the Scottish Government.
Councillors who signed the motion said the administration fell “short of expectations” in their handling of the destruction and its aftermath
The motion was put before councillors at a special full council meeting on Tuesday, signed by four Conservative councillors and three Independents.
“I’m asking for support today from the members of this chamber to show the constituents who have been affected by Strom Babet that we are listening,” said opposition leader Derek Wann.
“We have called for this special council meeting today as frustration is now turning to anger in our constituents.
“I’ll give praise to all the people who delivered the Angus Council response.
“But we are now six weeks after Storm Babet and there is no direction coming from the SNP administration at Holyrood or in Angus.”
Demand for more government help
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.
However, Mr Wann raised concerns that additional funding from the Scottish Government is not coming quick enough.
He added: “Residents are still out of their homes and Humza Yousaf pledged to financially support the people – it hasn’t come to pass.
“Statistics we have dug up in Holyrood have shown that Angus have only received £200,000 out of the much-trumpeted £150m fund announced by the Scottish Government.
“Anyone that is not supporting this motion today is letting the people of Brechin and other affected areas down.”
Scottish Conservative councillor Gavin Nicol also wanted to see more done by the Scottish Government.
He said: “The SNP administration should have lobbied the Scottish Government to make the area an environmental climate-vulnerable area.
“In the last few days, the Scottish Government has given out £2m for flood relief due to global warming in Central Africa and £650,000 to Gaza – all very commendable.
“But what about the flood victims of Brechin and Angus?
“Remember, charity begins at home.”
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 at the time.
Council leader proud of council response
However, council leader Beth Whiteside defended her administration and its performance over the handling of the devastating Strom Babet.
Mrs Whiteside said: “As leader of Angus Council I’m immensely proud of the response to the devastation caused by Storm Babet.
“The resilience and emergency planning already in place stood us in great stead as the severity of the storm became apparent, plans updated and approved incidentally by this and the previous administrations.
“The council – and myself personally – have been in regular contact with the Scottish Government since the storm hit.
“Do the wheels of government move a little slower than we would like? Perhaps.
“But a situation like this deserves a carefully thought-through response and that is what the taskforce, in conjunction with the council, is working through.
“My heartfelt thanks go to all staff and resilience partners who have been involved, my sympathies lie with those who have suffered loss and trauma.
“And I’m appalled by those who would seek to gain political capital from it.”
Councillor fights back tears
SNP councillor Chris Beattie also defended the council’s efforts, delivering an emotional tribute to all those who banded together to help communities following the disaster.
He said: “We continue to apply pressure whenever possible to get the maximum support we can for the people of Angus from the Scottish Government.
“Instead of coming to this meeting with concrete plans on how they would improve the response – they (the opposition) have chosen instead to play petty party politics while residents still suffer from the effects of this flooding.
Fighting back tears, Mr Beattie added: “I’d like to end by passing on my thanks to the people of Brechin and the surrounding area for their outstanding response to our plea for donations.”
“What they did was incredible – they showed their generosity, spirit, and delivered for their community.”
The motion was voted down by councillors with 17 against and 10 in favour.