Jenny Dawe slams opponents over ‘attacks’ on chief executive

CITY leader Jenny Dawe has accused her political opponents of “attacks on the authority” of the council’s chief executive, Sue Bruce.

During a stormy debate on Mrs Bruce’s proposals to shake up the city development department, Councillor Dawe hit out at members who had called for more information at a meeting of the policy and strategy committee, then voted at full council to delay the measures until a wider report on organisational reform in the summer.

Cllr Dawe said: “I was embarrassed by opposition councillors’ attacks on the chief executive’s authority at policy and strategy and I am angered at the continuation at this meeting.”

Labour group leader Andrew Burns said: “Elected members sometimes disagree with officers – it is perfectly normal.”

Despite the opposition, the changes, which will see most city development staff transfer to services for communities, were approved.