Update on Gun Club campaign

 COUNCILLOR BRIAN WILSON IS SEEKING A JUDICIAL REVIEW COUNCILS DECISION INCLUDE A GUN CLUB/PROJECTILE RANGE IN BASEMENT OF NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE.

“ I believe that the criticisms highlighted in the recent Audit Office report of the Council’s decision are devastating and provide adequate grounds for a judicial review.”

The report  provides strong grounds for a judicial review of the council’s decision to waste half a million pounds  on the gun club  and I have sought legal advice as the way forward.

The Audit Office report highlights  two important concerns

  1. The quality of the economic appraisal
  2. A failure to follow good practice.

 

In particular referring to the quality of the economic appraisal it highlights concerns regarding the consultation process, the lack of details of potential income and quantifiable statistics and a failure to consider all options. It concludes

 

In its criticism of failure to follow good practice the report commented that when the decision was made at the Policy and Resources Committee, the committee did not have the full economic appraisal.

Concern was also expressed that the economic appraisal was tabled at the Council meeting and councillors did not have the opportunity to read the 22 page report before making a decision. The Auditors report also highlighted the fact that when some councillors asked for a deferment to examine it in detail, this request was rejected.

The Auditors report also pointed out that “the council minutes did not identify that this significant expenditure was approved and that there was no public statement announcing the planned investment.”

Summarising its comments on the failure to follow good practice the Auditor’s report noted

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details of the councils decision can be found at http://brianawilson.com/news/news-north-down-borough-council/gun-club-at-hamilton-road-centre/.

 

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