Divisions continue over Inverness river artwork
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Campaigners against a public artwork on the River Ness have said they are “disappointed though unfortunately not surprised” that Inverness Provost Helen Carmichael has refused to meet them to discuss the issue.
The provost told the Inverness Courier last week that she would not meet the OpenNess group – who want a planning application for the My Ness riverside artwork recalled for consideration by councillors – as the decision to proceed with the work had been taken and would not be reversed.
Planning permission was granted earlier this year by officers using delegated powers rather than being debated and voted on by elected members.
Speaking for OpenNess, Helen Smith said that, in contrast to the provost’s stance, council leader Margaret Davidson had agreed to a meeting to discuss transparency at the local authority.
Mrs Smith said: “We are disappointed though, unfortunately, not surprised that Cllr Carmichael is refusing to meet with us to discuss our concerns. Her response via the Courier is typical of the way in which she and the majority of the councillors on the City of Inverness and Area Committee are refusing to engage with the public on this matter.
“That is despite there now being a raft of unanswered questions relating to how this project has been managed, and a petition with over 2100 signatures asking for the decision to be reviewed at a public meeting of the committee. “
Inverness South councillor Ken Gowans has also said he did not recognise the “accuracy” of many of Cllr Carmichael’s statements and has now written to her to request a special meeting to deal with the issue.
“You would think with all the resources that have been dedicated to the project we would have seen a final representation of what the project was to look like, but we haven’t,” he said.
“That they followed all the correct technical rules is not the issue.
“The issue is that the fundamental role of a councillor is to represent the people. So to not listen to concerns of 2000-odd folk means there is a deficit in democracy.”
Council leader Margaret Davidson confirmed she is to meet OpenNess campaigners though she also stressed this was only to hear their “broader” concerns on consultation, not the issues surrounding the My Ness situation specifically.
“That is because it is solely a matter for the Inverness councillors,” she said.
Cllr Carmichael, deputy provost Graham Ross and city manager David Haas insist there were adequate consultations ahead of planning permission being granted, with “due diligence from day one”.
