Moray Council: 'Give us the £20m IndyRef cash'

Money earmarked for a second Scottish independence referendum should be used instead to help councils tackle the cost of living crisis.

That's the thrust of a motion going before Moray Council tomorrow.

Cllr Sandy Keith (Elgin North, Labour) wants the £20 million set aside to prepare for another vote to be distributed between Scotland’s 32 councils.

His motion wants the council to write to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to seek "acknowledgement of the cost of living crisis in both Moray and Scotland".

It also calls on her "to disburse the entire £20 million budget on a population basis to local government".

Cllr Keith's motion, which is being seconded by Derek Ross (Speyside/Glenlivet, Independent) is one of three that will be discussed at a meeting of the full council tomorrow.

Another wants the council to seek reassurance that Police Scotland’s 101 telephone service will not be withdrawn.

The move comes after warnings budget cuts may result in the closure of the non-emergency number.

This motion is being put forward by John Divers (Elgin South, Labour) seconded by Donald Gatt (Keith and Cullen, Conservative).

Lastly, a third motion is calling on the UK Government to match £500 million from the Scottish Government Just Transition Fund.

This cash will be used for projects that will help the north east and Moray reach net zero carbon emissions over the next 10 years.

Shona Morrison (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, SNP) is leading the move, backed by member Scott Lawrence (Forres, SNP).

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