13/6/2022

Cllr David MacDonald has posted on facebook page

www.facebook.com/MacdonaldTheIndependent

Cllr David Macdonald - An Independent voice for people.
3 hrs ·
I have to say I am tired of political tribalism that divides us.
If I see something our local Tory MSP or our SNP MP is doing that needs to be supported then I'll like it and comment accordingly.
It does not make me a Tory or an SNP supporter.
It's fine to like something and to support something our elected representatives are doing publicly.
The amount of times I do this and I get really abusive messages is quite alarming as to how much further some have to travel.
Some even say because I'm independent that I should not show any type of support for anything.
It's bonkers.


Comments -

Cllr David Macdonald - An Independent voice for people.
Stevie Greer We've been around the world and back on this Stevie.
Did the SNP have the ability to form a minority?
No.
Did the Tories?
No.
They both would have fallen with 6 and 5 respectively because they are diametrically opposed and Labour is not to each of them.
The Labour group were restricted in forming coalitions with either the Tories or the SNP.
We both know the SNP and the Tories would have never created a coalition regardless of the fact that the SNP executive committee forbid it.
What other option was there?
If the independents had not supported the only group able to form a minority then the council would have been at a complete stalemate.
Labour are in now with just one independent as I've now decided to go back to the ranks of opposition.
I am absolutely fine with that.
Now I can vote freely and they won't be guaranteed of my support on every issue..
I'll support them on issues I can and not on issues I can't.
But the the most important thing is there is an administration instead of a continuous period of stalemate.
I think if you take the time to realise that there was absolutely no other option but this to form a minority government you will see what everybody was up against. I don't control what barriers other parties put in front of themselves to work with others.
I can only try to assist in helping to form a government.
I've done that.
Politics is cyclical.
Political composition on councils isn't guaranteed forever.
Who knows?
Anas Sarwar may change his mind and then the SNP and Labour may be back forming an administration.
Or perhaps Labour may form one with the Tories.
It's not for me to decide.
All I have to do is to look at each issue that is put in front of me to vote on and to vote based on what I think is best for the people of my ward.
Local politics is not straightforward or easy.
Sometimes it takes making very long thought out decisions that compromises electoral safety for an elected member.
Not everybody understands the limit to the options that there were on the table.
2h Edited


Cllr David Macdonald - An Independent voice for people.
Stevie Greer I didn't say anybody that disagreed with me was bonkers.
I said it was bonkers to expect me not be able to support anything on the basis I was an independent.
Again.
The Labour group were not allowed by their executive committee to form any coalition with either the SNP or the Tories.
I cannot control the directives of a political party. .
If you have suggestions for alternatives then I would say put them to the leadership of the Labour group.
By definition a coalition would become such when Convenerships (cabinet) were shared between various political parties.
Anything outside of Convenership plus leader is not a cabinet member.
For example a chair of a quasi judicial committee such as Licensing or a role like Deputy Provost or Provost.
I made no agreement with the Conservatives.
They sit in opposition.
The only agreement I formed was with the leadership of the Labour group.
I was offered the position of Convener for Health and Social care, a position I have since declined.
I sit solely as an Independent member not as part of the administration.
I am quite happy with continuing to serve my ward only.
It's what I enjoy doing the most. The constituency work is what I feel I am best at. I'll continue to do the casework for the people of my area and be as helpful as I can offering advice on a range of issues.
I know you are upset that the SNP were not able to form a coalition.
I can totally understand why you are upset but please be assured it was down to Labour restricting their local group from forming anything resembling a formal coalition. That has nothing to do with me.
1 h

15/6/2022

Cllr MacDonald has further commented on this topic under further post on facebook page

www.facebook.com/MacdonaldTheIndependent

- Why were the councillors not given the find details? If it is just the ERC officials that actually run the council, surely we could save money by losing a few councillors!
Surely it’s easy for the new administration to reverse this? Take money out the reserves then cut something else to top it up.
15 h

- Cllr David Macdonald - An Independent voice for people.
....... It's not an administration I am a part of.
I have resigned as Convener of Health and Social Care and now continue to sit in opposition.
The explanation that has been given to me is that new work contracts have since been agreed and many staff have already organised family holidays.
It is a shambles.
15 h Edited


Why did you resign?
14 h

Cllr David Macdonald - An Independent voice for people.
........The agreement I reached with the Labour group leader for my support to install a minority labour/independent administration was not going to be delivered.
I lost trust and confidence and for that reason I could not, in good faith, continue.
14 h Edited


- Oh no. Why did you resign David? Is it too difficult to fight from within the system?
13 h

Cllr David Macdonald - An Independent voice for people.
........I'll keep speakimg truth to power.
I'm back where I belong.
I resigned the Convenership of health and social care.
Glad to be once again saying what needs to be publicly said without being compromised and I'll keep doing it until I am voted out.
10 h


Above comments made under this Post -

Cllr David Macdonald - An Independent voice for people.
15 hrs ·
Anything short of a complete and full reversal of the withdrawal of the two weeks of summer session at Isobel Mair School would constitute a clear case of disability discrimination in my view.
Every single child and young person and their families who relied upon this should have this service continued for them. Not next summer. This summer.
The consultation was non-existent and many parents found out 1 day before the budget meeting in March through word of mouth. One parent reported she found out from a bus escort. Many councillors were not in receipt of the fine print of the overall cuts to education.
That is completely unacceptable.
GIRFEC stands for Getting it Right For EVERY Child.
Not just those in mainstream education.

www.facebook.com/MacdonaldTheIndependent

20/6/2022 22:45

Cllr David MacDonald post on facebook page

www.facebook.com/MacdonaldTheIndependent

Cllr David Macdonald - An Independent voice for people.
8 hrs

TENE EDWARDS

KNOW YOUR WORTH

You must find the courage to leave the table

if respect is no longer being served.

You can reead all papers for Full Council Meeting 29 June 2022 on Council Website here -

www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/council-290622

EAST RENFREWSHIRE COUNCIL
29 JUNE 2022
Report by Director of Business Operations and Partnerships
APPOINTMENTS
PURPOSE OF REPORT

1. To consider appointments to various unfilled internal and external positions.
RECOMMENDATIONS
2. That the Council:-

(a) consider appointments to the vacancies as listed; and

(b) authorise the Chief Executive to carry out a review of Council’s governance
arrangements and submit a report to a future meeting.

REPORT
3. At the meeting of the Council on 24 May, appointments to various internal and external positions were made.

However, a number of positions for which nominations were sought could not be filled and were continued to this meeting.

Subsequent to the May meeting, Councillor Macdonald tendered his resignation from the position of Convener for Social Work and Health.

As this was a Cabinet position he consequently also resigned from Cabinet, Cabinet (Police & Fire) and the Education Committee.

A further consequence of no longer being on the Education Committee is that Councillor Macdonald is no longer able to sit on the Teaching Staff Appeals Committee, as membership of the Education Committee is a prerequisite of membership of the appeals committee.

The Convener for Social Work and Health is also designated as the lead councillor on the East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board and the Council’s nominee to serve on the Board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

4. Councillor Macdonald also tendered his resignation from the following external
appointments.

• Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE)
• Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme Joint Committee
• Strathclyde Partnership for Transport/Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority

5. In addition, Members may recall that it was highlighted that although contact had been made with those external organisations on which the Council was represented prior to the elections to enquire if continued Council representation was being sought, some replies had not been received. It was reported that if any further representation requests were received, these would be reported to future meetings.

1 confirmation, from the Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, has now been received.

6. The attached list provides details of all the positions (both internal and external) now to be filled.

Review of Cabinet
7. In 2010, the Chief Executive carried out a review of Cabinet.

In view of the new political structure of the Council it is proposed that the Chief Executive be instructed to carry out a review of the Council’s governance arrangements and submit a report to a future meeting of the Council for consideration.

RECOMMENDATION
8. That the Council:-
(a) consider appointments to the vacancies as listed; and
(b) authorise the Chief Executive to carry out a review of Council’s governance
arrangements and submit a report to a future meeting.

Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985
Report Author: Eamonn Daly, Democratic Services Manager 577 3023
Background papers - none

Convener for Social Work and Health (including Cabinet, Cabinet (Police & Fire),
Education Committee, East Renfrewshire IJB (lead councillor) and NHS Greater Glasgow
and Clyde Board)

Committee Vacancies
Committee/ Members /Vacancies

Appeals Committee
(5 members)

Anderson (Chair)
Vice Chair
3 Ordinary Members

Audit & Scrutiny Committee
(7 members)

Morrison (Chair)
Buchanan
Edlin
Ireland
Montague
Wallace

Vice Chair

Civic Hospitality
Committee
(5 members)

Montague (Chair)
Campbell (Vice Chair)
Bamforth
Edlin

1 Ordinary Member


Community Asset
Transfer Review Panel
(5 members)



5 Ordinary Members from
the following
Bamforth
Campbell
Convery
Cunningham
Lundy
Macdonald
McLean
Merrick


Licensing Committee/Board
(5 members)

Edlin (Chair)
Convery
Montague
Morrison

Vice Chair
(for committee only –
Board will appoint own
Vice-Chair of required)


Teaching Staff Appeals Committee
(5 members)

Anderson (Chair)
Pragnell (Vice Chair)
Campbell

2 Ordinary Members from
the following
Buchanan
Devlin
Merrick
O’Donnell
Wallace


Association of Public Sector Excellence (APSE) – 1 vacancy

Glasgow City Deal Cabinet (substitute) – 1 vacancy

Lowland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association – 1 vacancy

Renfrewshire Valuation Joint Board (named substitutes for Councillors Ireland, Macdonald Morrison and Provost Montague) – 4 vacancies

Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme Joint Committee – 1 vacancy

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport/Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority – 1
vacancy
(NB the nominee will also sit on the Strategy and Programmes Committee (meets quarterly) and the Personnel Committee (meets twice a year)

4/7/2022

Published Barrhead News On Line

www.barrheadnews.com/news/

Councillor David Macdonald quits East Renfrewshire council administration
2 hrs ago


By Drew Sandelands
Local Democracy Reporter


An independent councillor has quit East Renfrewshire Council’s administration just weeks after the election.

David Macdonald was one of two independents who helped Labour form a minority administration in late May but he has now resigned.

His decision, which also includes giving up his role as health convener, means the administration is now formed of six councillors – the same number as the SNP returned at the election.

Labour councillor Katie Pragnell has been voted in as the new health convener.

Councillor Macdonald, who represents Clarkston, Netherlee and Williamwood, has said he would not be commenting on his resignation.

However, responding to a query on social media, he said: “The agreement I reached with the Labour group leader for my support to install a minority Labour/independent administration was not going to be delivered.

“I lost trust and confidence and for that reason I could not, in good faith, continue.”

Council leader Owen O’Donnell, the Labour group boss, said his administration, which includes independent councillor Danny Devlin, would aim to “build consensus” vote by vote.

He added: “We can confirm that Councillor Macdonald has resigned from the administration.

“The Labour minority administration, including Danny Devlin, remains committed to delivering its manifesto and in particular in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

“We will continue to try and build consensus across all parties, including Councillor Macdonald, on a vote-by-vote basis.”

Before May’s election, the SNP, Labour and Councillor Devlin had worked in coalition in East Renfrewshire for a decade.

However, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar vowed his party would not enter coalitions with the SNP or Conservatives.

The five Conservative councillors backed all of Labour’s nominations for key roles at the first meeting of the new term in late May, with the SNP group claiming a “backroom deal” had been reached.

It accused Labour of “getting into bed with the Tories.”

Labour members abstained as Conservatives, with the backing of the two independents, were appointed deputy provost, chair of the audit and scrutiny committee and chair of the licensing committee.

Support from the two independents would have been enough to give Labour control of the council without support from the Conservatives, unless the Tories had backed the SNP.

All five convener positions are held by Labour or Councillor Devlin.

And when asked to vote last week, he abstained.