CALLING COUNCILLOR FINN

Tendering committee convener allegedly ‘on the sick’ for two years

Cllr Jim Finn (in the black shirt) pictured with his SNP council colleagues at the Titan Crane in Clydebank.

By Bill Heaney

They seek him here, they seek him there, the electorate seek him everywhere.

Voters in West Dunbartonshire are trying to solve the mystery of a vanishing councillor.

Inquiries have been stacking up on social media as to the whereabouts of Jim Finn, the SNP member of West Dunbartonshire Council, who represents Duntocher, Hardgate and Faifley, which all fall within the Kilpatrick Ward.

Cllr Finn is listed on his own website as Convener of Licensing Committee; Convener of Planning Committee and Convener of Tendering Committee, which oversees procurement and the awarding of council contracts.

These are powerful positions which carry a great deal of influence and procurement of council contracts is at the centre of a huge controversy at present.

Allegations have been made of council officials fraternising with a contractor in fancy restaurants and on a prestigious Loch Lomondside golf course.

Pushed to reveal more of what was contained in an internal audit report which had been unacceptably redacted to excess, it was revealed earlier this week that the value of the contracts awarded to the contractor was more than £7 million.

This is £5 million million more than the initial estimate given to the Council by Cllr Jim Bollan, who was tipped off by a whistle blower.

As the graft and corruption inquiry gained legs, it was being speculated that the police were again taking an interest in the affairs of West Dunbartonshire Council who have joined an SNP ban and boycott of The Democrat.

Faifley resident Claire Gallagher asked: “Does anyone know how long an elected member can be off on the sick?”

Dumbarton woman Carolynn Bowman speculated: “I would imagine the same as a normal employee?”

But we could not confirm this with the Council as they refuse to speak to The Democrat.

James Maxwell said: “If it’s the same as all council employees it should be full pay for 6 months, 1/2 pay for the next 6 then SSP.”

Ms Gallagher asked: “So two and a half years is excessive?”

Martin Mullen replied: “I’d go as far as saying [that it is] extracting the urine.”

Ms Gallagher replied: “Unfortunately, that’s what we have. Jim Finn resigned from the Knowes Housing Association, where there was a rent increase recently, due to ill health and has had two surgeries in two and a half years.”

Alan Kane said: “I love the point you’re making but unfortunately I don’t think there’s any obligation (other than a moral one) to hold surgeries. I know he’s attended meetings, he was present at last year’s butcher, sorry, budget meeting.”

Ms Gallagher suggested that if Cllr Finn was unfit for the job of councillor then her should not be holding the post.

Another member of the electorate, Margaret McMillan, said she had tried to telephone Cllr Finn on his mobile telephone and at his house, but was unsuccessful in getting hold of him.

She added: “[Provost] Willie Hendrie told me to phone for him to sort something out.

“[I am] still waiting on him getting back. I don’t know how he got in he never helped the people.”

Ms McMillan said that the people of Faifley felt abandoned by their Council representatives – “to be honest they are just as useless. As I said earlier we are on our own”.

Council trade union convener Margaret Wood said Cllr Finn was there because the people voted for him – “Why is the mind blower.”

One member of the electorate, Margaret Clapperton, said: “I was looking to go to his surgery on Friday, I see that they have been cancelled until further notice.

“Any other time I’ve looked for him he seems to be on the missing list.

“If he is genuinely ill, all well and good, but if he’s not up to the job in hand then surely he should just resign?

“I usually find that the Labour guy for my area is of more help anyway.”

Margaret Wood suggested that Ms Clapperton should report Cllr Finn to the Standards Commission – “He has to be available to his constituents.

“That’s what they the Standards Commission are there for.”

She added that he was getting paid for carrying out his duties as a councillor – “It’s part of their duties to be available.

“I don’t know why more people are not doing it [reporting him].”