CONDUCT OF THE ACCOUNTS COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND

That this House deplores the decision of the Controller of Audit to submit a report to the Accounts Commission for Scotland challenging the payment of ú7.7 million by East Lothian District Council to the East Lothian Community Development Trust for repairs and improvements to schools; notes that this initiative was excellent value for money for council taxpayers and that is has been a great benefit for local schools; recognises that this investment was made under section 57(1) of the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994 following independent legal advice; observes that the Accounts Commission is now challenging action taken by an authority which no longer exists under transitional powers which have now transited; notes that there is no suggestion that public money has been misused, but that the Commission is pursuing an academic quibble about the interpretation of section 57; and calls on the Commission to refrain from wasting public resources on a vexatious and fundamentally meaningless hearing.