A bid to get "appalling" questions removed from a controversial teen survey was brushed aside by Renfrewshire's Provost at a meeting today.
Labour group leader Eddie Devine tabled an emergency motion at a full council meeting calling for the Scottish Government's Health and Well-being Survey to either be permanently scrapped or changed so it no longer includes questions about children's sexual history.
But instead of allowing any debate or discussion on the matter, Provost Lorraine Cameron refused to accept it saying she was "satisfied" with the action education chiefs had taken so far.
The council has temporarily shelved the questionnaire after a flood of complaints from disgruntled parents and politicians.
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That was after bosses previously said they would be distributing the survey and leaving it to parents to decide which parts their child should engage with.
It asks pupils in S4 to S6 personal questions about their sexual activity and most councils across the country have been forced to review it or bin it altogether.
Provost Cameron said during the virtual meeting: "In the interests of consistency I don’t think I will be accepting that as an emergency motion.
"I think [with] the action the council has already taken in pausing this, this motion would not change that at all. It’s not an emergency.
"I think moving forward you [Councillor Devine] might wish to remove questions from the questionnaire but you might not wish to remove it in its entirety but that'll be for a matter of discussion with the department.
"I’m satisfied it’s been paused for now."
Councillor Devine, whose motion was seconded by Neill Graham, said in response: "I wasn't looking to be controversial. I accept your ruling but I don't agree with it."
The Scottish Government has defended the contentious survey which asks teenage pupils whether they have had anal sex.
Ministers have said these surveys are important in making sure youngsters have access to the help, advice and services they need.
Renfrewshire Council is thought to have distributed the questionnaire to a handful of schools in the region before u-turning on Monday.
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