‘You have stolen our voice,’ claims Flamingoland opponent Sid Perrie
Balloch man Sid Perrie and a map of the planning application area.
By Bill Heaney
Flamingo Land protester Sid Perrie is furious with the Balloch and Haldane Community Council for refusing to call a special meeting to discuss a motion of no confidence in them.
And he has pointed out to their Secretary, Jim Biddulph, is contrary to their constitution which states they have a duty to be responsive to the community it represents.
This states that: “Should the community council receive a written request (petition), signed by at least 20 persons resident within the community council area to convene a special meeting for a particular matter or matters to be debated, it shall call such a meeting within 14 days of receipt of such a request and advertise it in the manner prescribed locally for special meetings called by the community council.”
Mr Perrie claims that his request has been fudged and strangled by red tape by the community council who have told him they want time to discuss the matter.
He said: There is nothing to decide or talk about, you are obliged by the constitution of the community council to call a public meeting and publicise it. that is all.”
Mr Perrie added: “We are fully aware that you had knowledge of the request well before your last meeting, hence the snide remarks made about the ’49’ (signatories) to Councillor Sally Page.
“We are fully aware that you met with an official of West Dunbartonshire Council on 21/9/18 where the request to hold a special meeting was presented and you refused to accept it.
“We are also aware that it took a month, allegedly, to check the validly of a mere 20 signatures against the voters’ role.
“It was not for you to arrange to discuss the request amongst yourselves at a time that most people are at work.
“It was not for you to pretend that you only got the request yesterday, the 23/10/18. That lacks integrity and honesty. It was not for you to pretend that receiving it by e-mail does not count.
“You have stolen our voice and must answer for it at a public meeting.”
He demanded a meeting asap – “Book the white church now where you can face the 200 locals who made it perfectly clear they were against Flamingo Land.
“Only Murdoch Cameron spoke for Flamingo Land, but unfortunately as chairman he should have remained neutral. Your cowardice to face the assembled community and the theft of our voice brings B&HCC into disrepute and you are in breach of the Scottish Government’s rules for the establishment of Community Councils.
“You are also in breach of the code of conduct for Community Councillors as provided for in ‘the ethical standards in Public Life (Scotland) Act 2000.”
He requested the community council to “repudiate your submission to the National Park Planning Department … and replace it with a total rejection of Flamingo Land in any form in Balloch.”
Mr Perrie said the office bearers responsible for the submission to the National Park should “resign, forever, with immediate effect from the Balloch & Haldane Community Council”.
Only then would they be able to avoid “avoid public disgrace and humiliation”
Either that or they could meet with the residents of Balloch & Haldane within 14 days to discuss the motion, which states “’The residents of Balloch and Haldane have no confidence in the Balloch & Haldane Community Council”.