MSPs slam Highland Council changes to school access they say ‘undermines the democratic process’
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MSPs have banded together in anger at changes within Highland Council over when politicians can visit schools in the region saying the new protocol “undermines the democratic process and our ability to represent our constituents.”
A new protocol introduced by the corporate management team – made up entirely of unelected officials – states that all elected representatives must seek the permission of the executive chief officer for education to visit schools.
Councillors and MSPs feel that is going too far as previously invitations extended to politicians were enough to go into a school and meet people – special provisions were already in place for elections.
The changes provoked an angry reaction. Two Conservative MSPs Edward Mountain and Jamie Halcro Johnston both felt stymied by the council when they respectively tried to visit local schools recently.
Mr Mountain said: “It’s essential elected representatives have the chance to scrutinise and hold to account what is going on in our schools. Other councils seem to understand this, and the education secretary herself agrees that it is important.
“The standards of education and condition of school buildings are among the most common subjects brought up when I speak to constituents. The council needs to revisit this ludicrous stance, or parents will begin to wonder what on earth it is trying to hide.”
SNP MSP Kate Forbes said the move could be overkill: “I regularly receive invitations to visit schools across my constituency, and it’s always a delight to engage with young people on the subject of politics – they often ask the most difficult questions.
“In my experience it’s always been easy enough to liaise with the relevant head and class teachers, and this has never been a problem. I do agree that – as you would expect of all external school visitors – arrangements should be made in advance and also parents notified.”
But Mr Johnston said it posed very serious questions about representative democracy and it is not down to the “whim of unelected officials” to determine access to areas for scrutiny.
“My recent visit to Dunvegan Primary School was cancelled at the very last minute by Highland Council,” he said. “Denying me the chance to see for myself deteriorating conditions at the school that were raised with me by worried parents and which I have raised in Parliament on behalf of those parents, pupils and staff.
“Access for elected members to schools where there are concerns should not be at the whim of unelected officials, particularly when it appears that this new protocol hasn’t even been signed off by councillors in the Highland Council.
“This new protocol undermines the democratic process and our ability to represent our constituents. It ignores the fact that our mandate as elected MSPs isn't limited just to the Scottish Parliament chamber but extends to all those public services in our constituencies and regions, even if what we find might be uncomfortable for the Highland Council”.
While Highlands and Islands Labour MSP, Rhoda Grant said: “Given the state of local government finance, to have a decision of this kind taken at that level beggars belief – do they really have nothing better to do with their time?”
