Published: Thursday, 24th July, 2008 08:15
Secretary quits in 'political' wrangle
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TRANENT community council secretary Robert McNeill (pictured) has quit his post after just two months in the job – following claims that he was using his position as a political platform.
Mr McNeill’s recent resignation – though he remains a member of the group – follows a statement at the communiity council’s June meeting by chairman Raymond Strang.
“There have been accusations from some quarters about the community council’s conduct being politically biased at times,” he said.
Robert McNeill, a former town councillor who is involved in a number of community groups including Tranent Juniors Football Club, the Fa’side Community Planning Partnership and the local Labour party branch, believed that the accusations were levelled against him.
He told the Courier: “That statement was specifically against me.
“As secretary, obviously it was my role to liaise with East Lothian Council and with councillors regarding issues that are at community council meetings.
“Therefore, I didn’t think it was appropriate to carry on doing that particular job under the circumstances.”
Mr Strang declined to comment on the circumstances surrounding Mr McNeill’s resignation.
But he said: “It’s a very strict condition of community councils that they have to remain non-political.”
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