A north-east politician, at the centre of a controversy over the conduct of local authority officers, has called for Aberdeenshire Council to get its act together.
Hamish Partridge was cleared of any wrongdoing earlier this week by the Public Standards Commission after he wrote an email alleging that planning officers had spread “outright lies” about landslip issues in the fishing village of Rosehearty, near Fraserburgh.
A separate investigation by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman also found the council hadn’t handled the planning process properly.
Mr Partridge has now called for Aberdeenshire Council to “step up” and resolve the issue for the benefit of his constituents.
He said: “It has been an ongoing issue.
“I have been in contact with my constituents and the council, and have had many site visits and meetings with various council officers of varying levels.
“It is their problem.”
The slip is situated between housing developments at Ritchie Road and Blairmaw Park.
Residents in the former site have reported their gardens have been lost and damage has been caused to their boundary walls.
Mr Partridge added: “The whole thing is slipping and could affect all the residents on the road.
“I have requested a meeting between a constituent, the chief executive and an officer of his choice to discuss a way forward. I’ve also asked no work be done without any consultation.
“One of my bugbears about this – and I stand by what I said – is that it’s disappointing councillors felt the need to report me to try and silence me. At the end of the day, we have to remember what we’re elected to do.”
Mr Partridge’s remarks about council officers surfaced in an email sent to councillors, officers, a member of the public and the local MP Eilidh Whiteford and MSP Stewart Stevenson on May 21 this year.
It related to a decision made by the planning team at Woodhill House to grant permission for a new garage in the village of Rosehearty.
Mr Partridge had raised concerns about the application on behalf of a constituent, but, despite his objection, permission was granted by officers on March 20.