Councillors in charity role ban call

TWO Glasgow councillors who approved a £500,000 pay-out to a regeneration charity boss should be removed from other charities they serve, say city politicians.

An MP has called for councillors to be removed from charity boards following the payout to the ex-agency boss

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator said the payment from Glasgow East Regeneration Agency to chief executive Ronnie Saez was, "wholly unacceptable" and constituted "misconduct".

The Evening Times yesterday revealed the report which criticised the board members, including three Labour councillors, and warned them about their decisions and responsibility to any charities they serve in the future.

Shettleston SNP MSP

TWO Glasgow councillors who approved a £500,000 pay-out to a regeneration charity boss should be removed from other charities they serve, say city politicians.

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator said the payment from Glasgow East Regeneration Agency to chief executive Ronnie Saez was, "wholly unacceptable," and constituted "misconduct".

Shettleston SNP MSP John Mason, who referred the case to the regulator, wants the council to act.

David Meikle, a Tory councillor has also reacted angrily to the report.

Of the trio who took the decision last March, two, Jim Coleman and George Redmond are still councillors. Catherine McMaster has left the council.

Mr Coleman has since said he has asked the chief executive to provide training to all councillors who are trustees of a charity."

The report said the cash given to top-up ex-council worker Mr Saez's pension pot should have been used to relieve poverty instead.

It stated: "The trustees have not provided sufficient justification that this action was in the interests of the charity."

Mr Mason said: "The council must act immediately to remove Jim Coleman and George Redmond from any charities, boards or bodies on which they represent the council."

Mr Meikle asked: "Are councillors Jim Coleman and George Redmond fit and proper persons to be involved in the running of charities they are currently members of?"

A council spokesman confirmed training would be put in place.

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