Councillors have been taken to task for voting through measures without thinking through the financial ramifications.
Council leader Ian Miller issued a reminder of the financial challenges facing councils and called on his fellow councillors to ”act responsibly”.
He hit out after opposition members on Perth and Kinross Council forced through extended free parking proposals over the Christmas period.
Mr Miller said he was ”disappointed” by the attitude of some members of the strategic policy and resources committee on Wednesday.
”What had been recommended to the committee free parking after 3pm on Thursdays and Fridays in the run-up to Christmas was a balanced, well-thought-out and fully costed proposal,” he said. ”Money had been identified in the council budget to pay for the scheme.
”The amendment that was put forward with regard to the free parking proposal, and subsequently agreed, will cost the council a further £36,500 for which there is no identified budget.
”Earlier in the same meeting, committee members had unanimously agreed budget monitoring papers which laid out the current financial position facing the council. The amendment flew in the face of these earlier decisions.
“Going forward, we have to bear in mind the severe financial constraints we are now operating under, and it is vitally important that we maintain our prudent and responsible attitude to budgeting.
”We simply cannot make these kinds of decisions on the hoof. Every proposal that comes before committees has to be fully costed and an available budget identified.
”Additional money spent on one service has to be taken from the budget of another service that is the reality of the situation.
”I would remind my fellow elected members of the need to act responsibly in every decision made and to bear this in mind as we move forward as a council. Perth and Kinross Council is one of Scotland’s leading councils. We must work together to ensure this continues.”
The free parking plan, which was narrowly approved, means that council car parks will be free from 2pm on Thursday and Fridays from November 29 until the end of January.
Despite Mr Miller’s concerns, the move was popular with Mid-Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser.
He said: ”Our retail sector desperately needs our support. Local authorities across Scotland need to use innovative strategies to encourage residents to buy local.”