Jim Sneddon replies and sets the record straight........


Jim Sneddon

From: Sneddon, Jim
Sent: 21 June 2013 14:35
To: 'Campbell Crawford'
Subject: RE: Giffnock Community Council financial records and correspondence

Not really Campbell, there has been a long standing communication process between the Council and the Community Council some issues of clarity sought by us relating to their accounts and more recently some resignations.

I think the issue here is that Ross McKimmie has resigned but still had access to the Community Council’s emails and was undertaking to respond to various enquiries as well as holding on to accounts information. I don’t know why Savio would have seen fit to copy you in to below but at this stage it is nothing I would have bothered you with, cheers, Jim

Jim Sneddon
Head of Democratic & Partnership Services

Chairman Savio D'Souza said at the GCC AGM in September 2013 and is quoted in the published minutes accordingly "It is important that whilst scrutinizing the Council and Government policy that we are an example of openness, transparency and accountability to the local community."


Savio D'Souza on the left at the launch of Hugh Moor's campaign to be elected as a Cllr in East Renfrewshire. (Hugh Moore (HM) was the previous chair of GCC at the time of these concerns)


We have requested several times that he comment on this matter, however the normally non shy person that he is, has refused.

Cllr Vincent Waters in one of these disclosed emails says






However the normally very vocal Cllr has refused on a number of occasions to respond to our questions.

Why would there be an apparent conspiracy of silence.....More to follow.

Cllr Montague and Chairman S'Souza
at the breaking of the ground - Apple Orchard

WE will come on to the internal review conducted by the Audit team shortly, which reported that ERC failed miserably in many areas and in particular with regards to the granting and monitoring of community grants.

Who was responsible for issuing community grants, Cllr Mary Montague and Jim Sneddon, Head of Service.

MANY are asking why this was not made public at the time, if there were grave concerns regarding possible criminal acts why was this not reported to the police, why was the Audit Committee not informed and why was there no apparent proper and thorough investigation conducted by ERC.

More particularly given that the matter has now been made public, due to a possible slip of the tongue by Chairman D'Souza, why does there now appear to be a conspiracy of silence.