Mike Sutherland is calling for accountability after the Scottish Information Commissioner ruled Dumfries and Galloway Council had failed at the most basic level in answering his requests about the £68m Whitesands flood scheme. The council says it is reviewing the decision.
Sutherland’s requests concerned the use of common good land, which the article describes as council-owned for community benefit, and whether the council had petitioned a court to change its use. He believes the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 required court approval. Construction has begun; opponents object to the cost, impact on the view and loss of parking, while supporters say the scheme will protect an area that has flooded hundreds of times and aid regeneration.
MSP Craig Hoy backed calls for answers and said he would meet the council chief executive to seek an explanation of the legal position and whether proper processes were followed. The council said it would consider the commissioner’s decisions and respond within the specified timescales, but would not comment further until it had reviewed them in detail.
