We came across some information that led us to believe we had a potential story of interest.

We explored a few questions with Cllr Stewart Miller regarding the Audit & Scrutiny Committee.

He responded and his answers led us to believe that we had a non story.

We did return with just one question to him and he has now refused to answer that one question.

Perhaps there is a story here after all????????

The Cllr answered and it has left us with even more questions, which we have asked of ERC.

The story so far..........

We observed from Cllr Barbara Grants monthly expenses claim forms that she was claiming for driving 4 miles to HQ to attend Pre Audit Committee Meetings.

Surely not?

Never seen these advertised or reports from the meetings.

Audit Scotland did report that ERC were having too many meetings behind closed doors.

However Cllr Annette Ireland is always commenting that they have since stated that ERC are now great, all meetings are in public.

From the expenses form we were aware of the Pre Meeting dates and submitted an FOI.

ERC confirmed that these meetings took place, however they said that .........

There were...

No Agendas

No Minutes

No Notes

No email invitations

Well, shockeroonie Annette.

We then decided to ask the Chair of Audit & Scrutiny the questions.

Good afternoon,

Can you oblige and confirm that members of the A & S committee hold Pre - Meetings that are not open to the public.

In addition can you advise how many have been held in 2019.

Why these meetings produce no agendas, minutes or notes.

Who attends these meetings.

Could you oblige and answer with your usual swiftness.

Kind Regards

This was his reply.

Good morning Mr Taylor

Once again, many thanks for your enquiry

As far as I'm aware, the Chair of every committee, from Planning, Education etc . and including the Audit and Scrutiny Committee have pre meetings.

In the case of the A & S committee, I meet with the secretary of the committee to discuss the personnel who will be attending the meeting and which agenda item each person will address.

The agenda is exactly the one for the full meeting later that day and there are no minutes taken because there is no decisions taken.

I do take a note of the people attending so that I can introduce them to the committee and any members of the public who might attend

I trust this answers your enquiry in full

Kind regards

Stewart