SNP group slam Tories' 'irresponsible' approach to Moray Council budget
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CONCERNS over Moray Council's forthcoming budget have been voiced by the SNP group on the local authority.
SNP councillors have claimed there has been a virtual blackout on what the ruling Tory group on the council are proposing for the 2023-24 budget, which is due to be set in a few weeks.
A radio interview saw the Conservative council leader Councillor Kathleen Robertson (Forres) to service cuts and job losses. However, in the week since the interview the SNP group have claimed that there have been no serious budget proposals shared with either councillors or the public amid disquiet from hard-pressed council staff on how it will affect the services they provide and their own jobs.
SNP councillors have said that they are seeking an urgent meeting for all councillors to be given a clear indication by the Conservative administration group of what is being considered for their March budget.
SNP council group co-leader, Councillor Graham Leadbitter (Elgin City South), said: “We are yet another week closer to the Council’s budget day with no clear proposals forthcoming from the council Tory admin group, this despite the council leader stating in an interview that they would be looking to service cuts and job cuts to balance the budget.
“It is hugely irresponsible to be making such statements without giving any indication of what they will be asking councillors to support and there is an urgent need for the Tories to set out serious proposals for other councillors to consider.
“We will give careful consideration to any proposals made by the Tories and respect a confidential budget process but nothing is being put on the table by them. Leadership as a minority administration means setting out proposals and seeking support and we are simply not seeing that happening.”
SNP council group co-leader, Councillor Shona Morrison (Fochabers-Lhanbryde), added: “The Tories are sleepwalking towards the Council budget day in just six weeks time.
"We have never been in a position where so little is known about an administration’s plans for the council so late in the day.
“The SNP dealt with some very challenging budgets and we managed to have those conversations much earlier and give a clearer indication of what we were having to seriously consider.
“SNP councillors stood up to be counted when it came to tough decisions and negotiations but we are deeply worried about the vacuum of Tory budget proposals that currently exists.”
However, Councillor Robertson stated that already been in discussions over various proposals and that the budget would be shared "when it was complete".
She continued: “The Scottish Conservative and Unionist administration fully appreciate the frustrations of opposition groups of not getting the overall budget proposal.
"However, all political groups have been collaboratively discussing the current drip-fed savings proposals as presented by officers. Therefore, the SNP have been involved in the discussions about savings since September.
"Further, the Cosla president herself [Councillor Morrison], commented before Christmas that all councils will be facing job cuts and losses. Therefore, I’m at a loss of why the SNP group would be surprised in my quoting from the Cosla President’s statement.
"As highlighted discussion at these political group meetings, and as the previous practice by the former SNP administration, budget proposals will be shared with opposition parties when it is complete. We are working hard with senior officers to fully analyse the settlement offered to Moray Council as well as exploring difficult decisions, which should not be taken lightly or rushed through.
"These decisions are based on the reduced funding from the Scottish Government and the inherited financial position from the previous SNP administration."
