Moray councillor calls for ‘flawed’ and ‘fantasy’ Moray Council budget to be investigated
A BUCKIE councillor has expressed his serious concern about the Moray Council’s administration group's recent budget, which was passed with cross party support.
Independent councillor Neil McLennan voiced misgivings when the budget was passed in February and, at the recent audit and scrutiny committee, he again sounded a warning.
Speaking afterwards, he said: “In the audit and scrutiny committee, Conservative administration members were noted by my fellow Buckie member [Councillor John Stuart] as making cuts without realising the actual effect of that.
“[It] is truly remarkable that decisions were made which impact on staff’s lives and livelihoods; and the services provided for Moray Council citizens and were are now hearing that those making decisions did not realise the full impact of their decisions.
“Moray citizens will be aware that I was the only member of a 26-member council who would not vote for the last budget. I clearly stated I would not vote for the budget as I believed it ‘reflected fantasy over realism’. I called for courage within local government, Scottish Government and UK government to properly fund public services.
“We saw at [the audit and scrutiny committee] meeting, only months after 25 out of 26 members members voted for this flawed budget, how important my warning call was, when our audit and risk senior officials are already echoing my concerns about the implications of that budget. I said that the 2024 cross-party budget would not help the future of Moray residents and at the same time created a bigger hole in the council’s precious reserves. Audit Scotland echoed my concerns soon thereafter.”
“I did say in the 2024 budget meeting that my warning calls needed to be taken on board and that long term visionary leadership was needed. We now see what the Conservatives thought of this. Days after lecturing members on the need for a ‘Team Moray’ approach, we then saw Conservative councillors vote for a bridge that was not on the repair priority list.
“Even worse, the council leader in backing her casting vote, seemed to confirm politicisation of the issue. It is beggars belief that Conservatives voted to spend more money when they did not need to do so; but have also voted to reduce vital public and regulatory services.”
During the meeting of audit and scrutiny committee Councillor McLennan again reported that he had highlighted his concerns to external auditors. He went on to call for a full investigation as to why his proposed budgets and concerns raised about budgets had not been progressed.
Councillor McLennan continued: “We see in cases like the Post Office scandal, how important lone voices can be and those who bravely speak up to identify risks and ensure best value in public services.
“Often those speaking up get beaten down by organisations or by a powerful majority. However, their concerns and evidence should be taken seriously. Sadly, too often their warnings are only appreciated after serious consequences have happened.”
“It seems it is only now that Moray councillors are realising what they have done. The last time something similar that happened was when Liz Truss put her hands on the UK economy. It did not take long for the effects to be felt.
“Maybe we are seeing similar here with current Conservative administration not fit to steer Moray Council? Moray citizens must consider this carefully - who is best placed to run your public services?
“Having 25 out of 26 councillors backing the 2024 budget was trumpeted as progress. However, it is not progress for the citizens of Moray if services are cut or there are risks for the council in conducting appropriate audit and risk functions.
“How a budget was passed, and then risks are being flagged up so soon by audit and risk officials requires a full investigation.”
