Dundee councillors have failed to agree on a way to support the continued independence of the city’s universities.
At a meeting on Monday evening there was unanimity that Abertay and Dundee universities should not be merged. But the SNP administration and opposition parties could not agree on the form of words they would use to make that case to the Scottish Government.
After a lengthy debate in the council chambers, the SNP motion prevailed by 13 votes to 11.
It states: “The council strongly supports the continued status of Dundee and Abertay universities as independent, autonomous institutions.
“The council further notes that all public sector institutions are operating in a period of severe financial constraint as a result of Westminster Government policy and considers that the strong case for retaining both institutions can be greatly enhanced by closer mutual working arrangements.”
The motion goes on to pledge to write to First Minister Alex Salmond and Education Secretary Mike Russell and to Mark Batho, chief executive of the Scottish Funding Council, to make the council’s position clear.
Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors had proposed an alternative message, warning that a merger would “likely result in Abertay being subsumed into Dundee” with jobs put at risk at both universities.
It added that a merger would be “highly detrimental” to the city and that the council should be making clear its “outright opposition” to such a move.
Arguing the SNP’s case, administration leader Ken Guild said there had been a furore over the future of the universities, with some “wild accusations and rumours” flying about.
He noted that Abertay, whose long-serving principal was suspended before retiring during the summer, had been through a difficult period “which was probably as much about personalities as policies.” He hoped any damage from that would be temporary.
Labour group leader Kevin Keenan said the division between councillors was regrettable. But he argued it was important to take into account the wider impact of a merger on the city’s economy.
He was backed by the Liberal Democrat group leader Fraser Macpherson, who said attempts to blame the UK Government were “risible”.
After winning the vote, Mr Guild said there had been “some shameless scaremongering tonight.”
Abertay University Students’ Association president William Mohieddeen said he was delighted that all councillors had agreed to support the university’s independence and that this would be communicated to the government.
However, he expressed disappointment at the “political point-scoring” that went on during the debate.