FIfe Council Labour administration leader Councillor David Ross says he has “some sympathy” with points being made by two independent Fife councillors over the forthcoming budget debate.
The Courier told how, with just over a fortnight to go until the council sets its budget for the next financial year, independent councillors Bryan Poole and Willie Clarke say they have had enough of the “pretence” of the annual budget-setting meetings in councils the length and breadth of Scotland.
They are demanding that Labour and the SNP “own up to the crises in funding” for public services at a national level and work together to seek urgent change.
Describing the budget meeting such as the one that will take place on February 12 at Fife House, Glenrothes, as a “bit of a farce”, both councillors are planning to have their own discussions with Fifers about what they describe as the “elephant in the room” how to avoid many of the planned multi-million-pound cuts by implementing a small increase in the council tax.
Asked to comment, Mr Ross told The Courier: “I have some sympathy with the points Bryan and Willie are making. None of us signed up to make cuts to vital local services.
“There is a real debate needed on the level of public services we want and how these should be paid for.
“I’m happy for any councillor to organise their own meetings to discuss the budget.
“A report on the feedback from the council’s full consultation exercise on the draft budget is being produced and will be available to all councillors shortly.
“My understanding is that all political groups and independent councillors were offered officer support in preparing for the setting of the council budget.
“If any councillor feels that was not the case, then they need to take it up with the chief executive.”