SIGNS OF tension within the SNP-Lib Dem administration in Fife Council have emerged with an expression of “surprise” from the council’s deputy leader over an SNP claim Fife intends introduce free school meals for children in primaries one to three.

Councillor Elizabeth Riches’ comments came as she stressed the coalition in Fife “should not be jeopardised” by the Glenrothes by-election campaign.

Ms Riches, who has contradicted a statement made by council leader Peter Grant, went as far to describe the claims from the SNP group that were published in The Courier at the end of last week as being “premature.”

She said the administra-tion on Fife Council has yet to discuss this matter.

“It is mistaken of Councillor Grant to claim that £2 million of unallocated resources has been set aside for this purpose for 2009-10 rising to over £7 million in future years,” she said.

Ms Riches added that Fife Council is experiencing a period of great financial stringency.

She also said the budget and level of council tax for the next year will be set at a meeting of Fife Council in February, when the administration will present its recommendations.

In the meantime, she said there would be further discussions with the Scottish Government about the financial implications of the free school meals proposal, in the light of the changed financial circumstances since last December.

“Until this whole process is concluded it is premature to reach any conclusion about what the position of Fife Council will be on this subject.

“The Lib Dem-SNP administration is a partnership whose purpose is to best serve the people of Fife.

“It is important that the partnership is not jeopardised by the pressures of the by-election campaign,” said the deputy leader.