Aberdeen councillors accused of bullying and harassment

COUNCILLORS have been accused of bullying and harassing senior officials in a damning report by an independent consultant.

It found that the “unacceptable” behaviour of a small number of councillors was placing the reputation of Aberdeen City Council at risk.

The un-named consultant, a former inspector with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education, is calling on both sides to make an effort to “rebuild trust and respect” within the local authority.

The report – Is Aberdeen City Council getting It right? – is due to be discussed at a meeting of the audit and risk committee on Tuesday.

It states: “Some behaviour from a small number of elected members is unacceptable.

“This type of behaviour includes councillors in council and committee meetings making critical remarks about officers and the officers’ work.

“These remarks, which can be heard by the public and which are often inaccurate, do not allow officers any right of reply, given that they are made in committee. In addition to affecting officers’ dignity at work, they hamper progress and run the risk of reputational damage to the council.

“Other examples … involved councillors haranguing officers from the floor of the meetings.”

The local authority admitted improvements are needed.

A council spokesman said: “Working relationships between officers and elected members are generally positive and constructive, as the report states, but as in all large and complex organisations, there is always room for improvement.”