Our Press Release - 15th October 2024
Serious concerns are raised over Councillor Raymond Bremner’s conduct in Relation to SSEN Hub Opening and Planning Conflicts
Serious concerns have been raised by communities across the Highlands over the actions of the Leader of Highland Council, Councillor Raymond Bremner, following his involvement in the recent opening of the new SSEN Hub in Inverness. A formal complaint (1) has been submitted to the Ethical Standards Commission by a member of Dunbeath/Berriedale Say No to Pylons Action Group questioning the appropriateness of Councillor Bremner’s presence at the event, given his role on the North Planning Area Committee.
It has been highlighted that Councillor Bremner has shared public platforms with SSE/SSEN over the past year, including in media appearances on YouTube. When considered with his critical position on the North Planning Applications Committee, this raises serious questions about potential conflicts of interest, particularly in light of the Highland Council Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct under Representation 7.9 explicitly states that any councillor involved in decision-making for quasi-judicial or regulatory applications must avoid compromising themselves or their council. The code prohibits councillors from:
Organizing support for, or opposition to, any application.
Representing or appearing to represent individuals or groups making representations for or against an application.
Creating a perception of a conflict of interest.
It would appear that Councillor Bremner has breached these ethical guidelines, creating the perception, if not the reality, of undue influence when it comes to energy infrastructure projects. In particular, his relationship with SSE/SSEN and the energy sector, coupled with his voting influence on planning decisions, is cause for significant public concern.
There have been calls across social media for Councillor Bremner to be held accountable for his conduct. As the Leader of Highland Council, his actions directly impact the council’s reputation. His repeated association with SSE/SSEN, especially while holding a critical regulatory role, presents an unacceptable breach of ethical standards, according to those voicing their concerns and raising the complaint.
A spokesperson representing the group said:
"Councillor Bremner’s leadership as leader of the council is now deeply questionable, and we believe his involvement with SSE/SSEN over the past year demonstrates a clear and consistent conflict of interest. We are calling for his immediate removal as Head of the Council and from the National Planning Area Committee. The public trust in our council is at stake, and we will escalate this issue to the Scottish government if necessary.”
The group behind the representation urges the Ethical Standards Commission to take swift and decisive action, to protect the integrity of Highland Council and ensure that all members adhere to the highest ethical standards in their decision-making processes by suspending Cllr Bremner from the North Planning Applications Committee and his role as Head of Council until a full and thorough investigation has taken place.
Lyndsey Ward from Communities B4 Power Companies states:
“Communities B4 power Companies (CB4PC) and our rapidly growing membership of currently over 3700 stand beside Dunbeath/Berriedale Say No to Pylons Action Group regarding this justified complaint against Cllr Bremner.
As Leader of Highland Council and a member of a planning committee he has a duty to behave in an exemplary manner.
His reported words at the opening of SSEN’s Inverness Hub were misjudged and ill advised and a complete shock to those battling to protect the Highlands from disproportionate industrialisation by Big Energy.
His appearance in what is little more than a SSE promotional video (2) is also called into question especially as the SSE representative makes clear any financial assistance from them for those in poverty is only for those living near their wind farms.
CB4PC also calls for his immediate removal from the North Planning Application Committee and demands that he stands down with immediate effect from his position as Leader of Highland Council.”
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(1) Attached: Formal complaint to Ethical Standards Commission
(2)SSE and Highland Council Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K26ohIHbCFY
