‘Chilling culture’ at Glasgow council - Government regulator told to investigate

Exclusive Fiona Higgins Glasgow City Council Court Economy Local government National government Glasgow Scotland Fiona Higgins raises Glasgow city council 'chilling culture' complaint   Exclusive /Business Journalist of the Year Glasgow councillor Fiona Higgins and Gun drummer and entrepreneur Paul McManus have joined forces in a 'freedom of speech' battle (Image: Damian Shields) This article is brought to you , and has been written . It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald. A councillor has called for a probe into a “chilling culture” at Glasgow City Council where elected members who scrutinise senior officers fear what could happen if they ask difficult questions. It comes as Glasgow Labour councillor Fiona Higgins demanded a “convincing explanation” for the Standards Commission spending more public money appealing her legal victory over a 'freedom of speech' court battle. She says she holds signed affidavits from elected members across different political groups raising concerns about the treatment of councillors who carry out scrutiny. She has asked government regulators Audit Scotland to investigate whether councillors carrying out normal scrutiny are being subjected to what she describes as an “adverse corporate process". Ms Higgins has also questioned why the Standards Commission for Scotland decided to appeal a Court of Session ruling that it acted unlawfully in her separate misconduct case. She says the evidence regarding Glasgow City Council she has gathered “appears to demonstrate a critically unsafe scrutiny environment in which to perform our public duties". The council said it was "keen to see this matter properly considered" and added that it would "welcome any independent investigation or scrutiny Audit Scotland feels is appropriate". Ms Higgins has linked her concerns to her own experience while seeking information about Glasgow City Council, including financial information relating to Ruchill Community Centre, repair costs and the use of allocated or ring-fenced money. Peter Watson of PBW Law. Glasgow has been fighting Fiona Higgins' case. She says she was repeatedly told her requests were inappropriate because they concerned “operational” information and was subsequently told that the way she sought information was making senior officers concerned. Ms Higgins says she was then asked to attend a meeting with the council chief executive and monitoring officer involving the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. Why Scots rocker is bankrolling Glasgow council freedom of speech fight Auditors order Scots councils review of pay-offs after £1m Glasgow scandal Why did Glasgow council end up in hot water over £1m in senior staff pay-offs She agreed to attend but, after taking advice from an experienced councillor from another political group, arranged for her solicitor to accompany her.