Rancour as councillor discloses contents of closed door meeting

Councillor Kate Willis said: "Councillor Baxter’s latest attempt to grab the headlines suggest that, like his LibDem predecessor Angus MacDonald, he is using the councillor role as a launching pad to further his political career, with an eye on the Holyrood elections next year.

"If Councillor Baxter insists on revealing Area Business Meeting discussions, he could at least acknowledge the previous and ongoing hard work done on these issues by his fellow councillors, rather than just blowing his own trumpet."

In a letter submitted to The Lochaber Times, another Green member, Aird and Loch Ness councillor Chris Ballance, echoed his colleagues’ criticisms and noted that Councillor Baxter’s approach to transparency had been selective.

He wrote: "I note his determination to publicise any private discussions with ward colleagues. He omits to report that after the last business meeting he was called out for comments about a female ex-colleague. Councillor Baxter clearly believes in yah boo politics, rather than constructive dialogue," Cllr Ballance wrote.

Despite the backlash, Councillor Baxter defended his actions.

"We are told constantly by our officers that they are not decision-making meetings, but in reality what we say and what we discuss is taken on board by officers. Often that will be reflected in the work that they undertake, so using it as an excuse that they’re not decision-making bodies is not entirely true," Councillor Baxter said.

"For example, we’ll be asked our opinion on projects that are put in applications to be funded through the ward discretionary budget, which is in the control of ward councillors. We decide yea or nay to those at these meetings, and then we go through the sham of them being put in a public meeting where we know the decision, which is a bit of a nonsense.

"I know my colleagues will say there is much that is discussed that is confidential. If that’s the case, like any other council meeting with confidential business, there is a system that you vote to take that item in private. But to be quite honest, most of what we discuss at Area Business Meetings is not confidential."

Although acknowledging self-bias in what he chooses to put on his website, Councillor Baxter said he would continue to post non-confidential content from the meetings, adding that despite his colleagues’ negative response, members of the public had been "extremely positive" about the move.

"We’re discussing things that affect Lochaber behind closed doors. It’s only right, I think, that our constituents know these meetings exist and what we are discussing at them.

"The minimum I would expect is notes being published from these meetings, rather than individuals having to submit a freedom of information request to find out what was discussed."

The next Area Business Meeting is due at the beginning of March.

Councillors Fanet and MacLennan were also approached for comment.