Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
JIM LOGUE Budget serves the people
A lot has happened since my last Advertiser column that shows the sheer breadth of what a council does.
Three weeks ago we were able to set the council budget, and it’s a budget that I believe serves the people of North Lanarkshire well at a time of intense financial pressure.
We were able to do so because some councillors took a sensible and pragmatic approach to a simple fact.
No political party in a minority administration can automatically do what it likes following last May’s elections.
Essentially, the message sent at the ballot box was that people expected all political parties and independent members to work together.
In my view, nowhere is that more important than in a budget.
Regrettably, the main opposition group, the SNP members, decided to walk out of cross-party talks after the very first meeting.
And that puerile approach continued into the meeting itself, with some members of the opposition using language which was disrespectful and, frankly, beneath them.
It’s not in any party’s gift to get a budget through on its own. The Conservatives and the independent members approached discussions in a constructive way and we were able to get a budget passed.
And that’s the political reality, in the same way that it was the reality that the SNP in Holyrood were only able to get their budget through in 2007 with the support of… the Conservatives!
But the most important thing about budget day was that we were able to protect the services that people said they didn’t want to lose – and enhance others.
Overwhelmingly, people we consulted asked us not to close Kilbowie outdoor centre, and we were able to achieve this.
In addition, we could expand our breakfast club provision in schools, increase our footwear and clothing grants for those children living in poverty to the highest available in Scotland and provide millions of pounds of investment that communities themselves will make decisions about.
We were also able to stop cuts to leisure and community facilities.
More budget challenges are coming, unless the Scottish Government agree to fund local councils in a sustainable way. That means savings will be needed in the future.
What is clear is that, if these facilities are not to be under threat again, they have to be used; if you value your local community hall or sports centre, please use it.
No sooner had we dealt with the budget, than we were faced with a different type of challenge. A fortnight ago, the snow started to fall – and kept falling. It was the first time that the Met Office had issued a red warning for snow, and the weather was the worst we have seen in many, many years.
I am grateful for two things; firstly, the way our staff were committed to continuing to deliver critical services.
It would be wrong to single out any group of staff, but I do know that employees went above and beyond the call of duty to deliver those services and many residents have openly commented on this.
Secondly, I am grateful to Advertiser readers and people in communities who helped clear their own streets and looked after their neighbours.
It’s impossible for any council to clear every street during the weather we experienced.
The community spirit shown by local people was heartening to say the least. Thank you to one and all.
People expected all political parties and independent members to work together