Several opposition councilors have raised an issue over the council’s operation and called behavior of certain council members “improper,” accusing them of squabbling and referrals that “waste everybody’s time.” The issue was raised when the councilors met with Angus Council chief executive Richard Stiff.

According to one councilor, “There’s never been so many referrals. That can’t be good for the reputation of this council and it’s certainly something … Audit Scotland will be having a look at and thinking ‘what’s going on there?’”

The problem finally escalated to the point that those involved believed mediation should be used to settle the issue. At the recent meeting, participants agreed internal mediation services should be promoted.

The idea of mediation was welcomed by the director of Taxpayer Scotland who pointed out how irritating it is for taxpayers to see so much money wasted because of poor behavior, further pointing out taxpayers expect councilors to represent them, and be smart about the use of taxpayer money, but this is not what is currently happening.

The director called mediation “… a transparent and potentially productive way of stopping nonsense it its tracks.”

A number of issues were raised at the most recent meeting, including the running of the council. One attendee said there were occasions when he had been told about upcoming council business by members of the public, which he called “completely unacceptable.” This included the closure of recycling centers.

He also pointed out some council members are trying to change rules. All in all, those who are in favor of mediation want to end the current situation and ensure nobody is taking advantage of the taxpayers.