Local v Open Government


A number of readers from North Lanarkshire have been in touch to say the council is awash with stories and rumours - about the council's behaviour on equal pay.

Apparently the trade unions have rushed to the Labour council's defence - no surprises there it has to be said - and are telling their members that I am talking nonsense about secret discussions and secret council reports.

Well if that's the case why doesn't the council just publish the report - for everyone in North Lanarkshire to see. Because that way people can read the document for themselves - and make up their own minds.

The report I've been referring to is a real document - I can assure you - which is dated 30 January 2012.

The subject heading is:

EQUAL PAY MONITORING REPORT - INTERIM ADJUSTED POSITION.

The report is addressed to the:

MEMBER OFFICER WORKING GROUP ON EQUAL PAY

The report is from the: 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE SERVICES (John O'Hagan, I believe)

The references on the report and the covering letter are:

AA/AB and JOH/AB (respectively) 

The report is also marked:

STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL

So if the council - or the craven unions - disagree with my interpretation of the report and its significance - then why don't they just make it available to every council employee in North Lanarkshire? 

Because that's what I would do - without a moment's hesitation -  I'd put the report up on the North Lanarkshire Council web site - for everyone to read.

So let's see if the council leadership pick up my challenge - which will of course require them to act openly and transparently - and as if they don't have anything to hide. 

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