Political row erupts after independent councillor is removed

Decision branded as both undemocratic and ‘very concerning’

A political row has erupted following a controversial decision to remove an independent Perth and Kinross councillor from two committees.

Councillor Xander McDade, one of the representatives for the Highland ward, described proceedings at this week’s full council meeting at the local authority’s headquarters as “farcical”.

He is questioning the reasoning behind him being removed from both the council’s lifelong learning committee and its integration joint board.

Yesterday Mr McDade claimed the decision to axe him from these committees is “very concerning”.

He stated he received notification he would be removed from the committees by email earlier in the week from Councillor Murray Lyle, leader of Perth and Kinross Council.

“Mr Lyle’s reasoning is that I stopped providing ‘confidence’ and ‘supply’ in January, when I resigned from the administration partnership,” he said.

“However, if that was the reasoning, why wait four months when there have been full council meetings since?”

“It’s likely that they’re removing me as I have opposed rural school closures and that of the Beechgrove Care Home.

“This seems incredibly undemocratic.”

Mr McDade, 24, feels the decision to remove him from the committees does not demonstrate a principle for “fair representation” on Perth and Kinross Council.

He added: “By removing certain groups from some committees, this takes away the ability to have a fair say. The independents are already the most under-represented group and this now means we will be even worse off.”

And Deputy First Minister John Swinney, SNP MSP for Perthshire North, condemned the decision.

“I was both surprised and disappointed to hear that Councillor McDade had been voted off ,” he commented.”

However, Mr Lyle defended the decision to remove Mr McDade.

“In January Mr McDade sent a letter resigning,” he said.

“Ian Campbell died tragically in early February and I took over as leader. I was aware of Mr McDade’s resignation, but I felt it was inappropriate to take action before the Highland ward by-election.

“Changes to committees can only be approved at full council meetings, and the previous council meeting was shortly after Mr Campbell’s death.

“It is normal to remove a councillor if they choose to resign.

“My door is always open should Mr McDade wish to speak to me.”

By removing certain groups from committees, this takes away the ability to have a fair say. This now means we will be even worse off. XANDER MCDADE

Xander McDade, front right, said the decision to axe him was ‘very concerning’.