A list of controversial options to slash Fife’s transport budget was devised by council officers, not politicians, it has been claimed.
Councillor Pat Callaghan, Fife’s executive spokesman for transport, said the 49-item list was developed by the council’s staff and has not been put forward by the administration for approval.
He was addressing members of the environment, finance and corporate services scrutiny committee at Fife House on Tuesday, following claims some of the proposals could leave some people socially isolated.
The introduction of parking charges at train stations and cuts to subsidised travel have all been put forward as part of the local authority’s efforts to plug a £77 million black hole in its finances.
A £20 charge for blue badges for disabled motorists and an end to discretionary free school transport for some youngsters, also featured on the list.
Though it is not clear what measures the council may implement in the coming years, Mr Callaghan told the committee economising was a necessary evil.
“This will input future budgets and future savings,” he said. “It is not something that I welcome, but we are part of an administration that has to make cuts.
“This is one of the most thorough documents I have seen in terms of transparency. It is not a political paper, this is an officer paper. It is totally transparent and totally objective.”
Audit Scotland warned last summer that all public sector bodies face huge challenges in transportation expenditure, caused by the increasing number of older people using concessionary travel and the need to maintain public assets such as roads, street lighting, car parks, bus stations and harbours.
The independent body suggested in 2013 that local authorities formulate management plans to maintain road networks, ensuring value for money in challenging economic times.
Ending concessionary rail travel would save Fife Council an estimated £430,000 a year, with a further £400,000 achieved by ending free school transport for non-entitled pupils.
Introducing parking fees at park and ride schemes at Ferrytoll and Halbeath, as well as at Fife’s train stations, would also help plug a gap of £750,000 per annum.
A restructuring of the transportation service would save an estimated £1,000,000 a year, with the annual projected saving of all 49 options amounting to £10.8 million.
As well as determining who had created the list, opposition councillors were keen to establish when, if at all, some of the measures could become council policy.
SNP councillor Karen Marjoram also expressed concern about the possible cumulative effect on people should some of the suggestions be implemented.
“I think people across Fife will want to know if, when and how this might happen. Timescale is important in any change. If it’s going to be this year, next year or in five years then people need to know.”