The SNP Group on Angus Council has slammed the ruling administration for what it describes as ‘relentless negativity’ on council finances.
In the month when councillors will set a budget which Deputy Council Leader Angus Macmillan Douglas has already warned will impact heavily across the authority, Montrose SNP Councillor Bill Duff has delivered a broadside against the coalition group.
Kirriemuir and Dean Conservative councillor Mr Macmillan Douglas, has warned that ‘council tax increases, job losses, cuts in services and increases in charges are inevitable’ as the authority faced ‘difficult decisions’.
Responding, Montrose councillor Mr Duff said: “We are disappointed that once again the administration chooses to adopt an extremely negative tone about the council’s spending.
“The fact is that the council spends significant sums of money to provide services, support the vulnerable and educate our children.
“All of this plays a massive role in supporting the local economy.
“Yet all we hear from the Tory led administration is about money that isn’t being spent, but they are silent when the council receives an additional £3.474 revenue grant as part of the settlement between finance minister Derek McKay and the Green Party.
“The share of the Scottish Government budget allocated to Local Government has remained remarkably consistent at 32% (excluding Police and Fire) over many years. The hardship now being experienced at local government level is a direct consequent of the 2008 financial crash and the austerity policies followed by successive Westminster governments.
“The previous SNP administration on the Council built two excellent secondary schools, started a programme to replace much of the ageing Arbroath primary school estate, despite difficult financial times. These projects were supported financially by the Scottish Government.
“Over the next five years Angus Council has an ambitious plan to build over 600 much needed affordable housing units again heavily supported by Scottish Government finance as part of a national programme to build 50,000 new affordable homes.
“This will see Scottish Government funding of £12m spent in Arbroath, £4m in Brechin and £2.8m in Forfar.
SNP group deputy leader Mr Duff concluded: “Constantly blaming the SNP Government is becoming a tired mantra, that achieves nothing, and I would invite the administration to reflect on the excellent work that is done by the council right across Angus.”
