The new leadership of Dumfries and Galloway Council has been accused of pre-empting important decisions and “by-passing the democratic process”.
Just days after taking charge of the council administration, the Conservative group came under scrutiny over its decision-making process.
This comes after a press release was sent out by the council last Tuesday about proposals for £1.1m of funding to support elderly and vulnerable people in the region.
New council leader Gail Macgregor and her deputy Malcolm Johnstone were quoted in the release, however the opposition SNP group insist they jumped the gun as the matter had still to be considered by the economy and resources committee later that day.
And it then it had to be ratified by the full council meeting at the end of this month.
SNP Councillor Hagmann, who represents the Mid Galloway and Wigtown West ward, raised the matter at the committee meeting.
She said: “I am extremely concerned about the way in which the new Conservative administration of Dumfries and Galloway Council appear to be doing business.
“It is only one week since there was a change of administration and it is extremely concerning that the Conservative leader and Conservative convener of council have released comments prior to the decision going through due process in council – by-passing the democratic processes.”
She added: “For clarity, as the former chair of economy and resources committee, I agreed a report to go to the economy and resource committee on March 14.
“This was to scrutinise the scheme and ensure the recommendation of funds are both appropriate and required. These recommendations would then be taken to full council on March 30 for decision.
“The comments made by the Conservative leadership, assumed an outcome, before due process had taken place.
“The comments were made before the item was even discussed at the economy and resources committee.
“It is hugely concerning that the Conservative leadership would appear to pre-empt decision making prior to open and transparent debate.
“I very much hope this is a onetime error and not setting the way in which business is going to be conducted.”
Conservative councillor Ian Carruthers, the new chairman of the economy and resources committee, said that he wasn’t aware of the press release and believed its early distribution was down to an admin issue.
“I was unaware that this press release was going to go out and that is something I will be taking on board with the relevant parties.”
