IN THE labyrinthine pit of endless bureaucratic red tape and politically-correct daftness of local government, we find something new to marvel at. We now discover that Aberdeen City Council has found a way to sue itself.
It is not unheard of for a council to resort to law, in a political act, over some decision it believes it has been forced to take because of controversial rules imposed on it, for example, by another body.
However, currently we are viewing the spectacle of one Aberdeen council department going to court in a legal challenge over a decision by another department.
There are two such cases involving the housing and licensing departments over hostels for the homeless. The housing department is under pressure to meet its obligations towards providing accommodation for homeless people. The licensing committee, under pressure from local objectors, has been rejecting applications.
It has now ended up before a sheriff, who was moved to remark on the absurdity of some aspects of the latest challenge. He felt he was being asked to rule on political, rather than legal, issues.
Waste of public money and court time spring to mind. Council officials will, no doubt, quote chapter and verse the rule which allows this, but it still appears a nonsense to the public. Many will question why the council cannot deal with this inter-departmental squabble in-house.
The Taxpayers’ Alliance launched a scathing attack on the wrangle yesterday, not surprisingly. This organisation is believed to be opening its first Scottish office in Aberdeen; it is little wonder if there are rich pickings like these around.
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