Edinburgh's councillors need to drop the 'inappropriate language' and treat each other with respect – Steve Cardownie

Under the headline “Councillors must call a halt to current hostilities and start working together for the good of the city”, I opined that, whilst recognising there will always be some differences between the different political groups, the acrimony and rancour which has been expressed in recent debates had gone beyond what is acceptable.

Indeed this paper reported that at one point Councillor Lesley Macinnes, the transport convener, was fighting back tears after facing personal attacks from fellow councillors at a recent meeting. This cannot be allowed to continue and I am not the only one who holds this view.

It subsequently emerged that a recent Accounts Commission report also highlighted the issue. As part of its background work, the Commission included amongst other things “interviews with elected members and senior officers, observing council and committee meetings, and holding a focus group with members of staff”.

The report states: “There are tensions between elected members, which manifest in inappropriate language and tone being used in council debate, in the lack of involvement of some members in decision-making, and in media reports on member disagreements. At the end of 2017 the council, in response to a motion from an elected member, reviewed its arrangements for members to report inappropriate behaviour by other members. Following this, the council offered elected members training in both team dynamics and mediation.”

So as a result of a councillor’s motion, mechanisms were put in place that included the offer to councillors to undergo training but if recent events are anything to go by I would be surprised if many (or any) have taken this opportunity.

The Standards Commission’s codes of conduct which “outline the standards of conduct expected of councillors and members of public bodies” clearly spells out how councillors should treat each other when it states: “You must respect your colleagues and members of the public and treat them with courtesy at all times when acting as a councillor.” It adds: “Bullying or harassment is completely unacceptable and will be considered to be a breach of this Code.”

This particular section opens with a statement that leaves councillors in no doubt what is expected of them when it spells out: “The rules of good conduct in this section must be observed in all circumstances (my emphasis) when you are acting as a councillor or are perceived as acting as a councillor, including representing the Council on official business and when using social media.”

So what is happening up the road in the City Chambers that has prompted a rebuke from the Accounts Commission? Why does it appear that the rules of conduct are being studiously ignored? Are the respective Group leaders part of the solution or part of the problem? What plans does the Council leader have to address this issue?

What is the Lord Provost’s view? What are the committee convener’s views? Has anyone been reported for their behaviour and if not, why not?

Questions such as these should be asked and if the answers are found to be wanting appropriate action should be taken internally to redress the situation before it deteriorates even further.

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