THE PIGGY BANK IS SMASHED
People power change defeated Rainy day cash to be spent
A bid to give the public more power was rebuffed by councillors. Politicians attempted to overthrow a rule stopping people from challenging council decisions for six months.
The masses have to wait that long before they can attempt to reverse a decision.
This year some village galas were cancelled and others struggled to go ahead because the council hit them with shock costs to save £ 15,000.
It was part of this April’s savage cuts which saw three libraries shut.
SNP councillors put forward an amendment at last week’s full council meeting that people should be able to bring a complaint before politicians immediately.
Councillor Douglas Campbell said: “When the council makes a decision the public face a big delay in being able to talk to us.”
Councillor Allan Dorans said: “The council made a decision to withdraw funding for galas. But the public had to wait six months before they can bring a petition forward.”
Legal head Ralph Riddiough said the huge delay was necessary to “encourage dialogue” between parties and get a “resolution” before it comes to a council meeting.
Councillor Hugh Hunter ( Conservative) said he agreed with the wait but called for earlier consultation before controversial moves.
Councillor Brian McGinley ( Labour) said the wait gave people time to “see the implications” of decisions.
Independent councillor Alec Clark said: “Community engagement should be carried out before decisions are taken. Engagement seems to be a byword of this council but we don’t seem to see it in action.”
The motion from the SNP group was rejected. After years of stashing away millions of pounds, South Ayrshire Council bosses have finally smashed the piggy bank.
In an unprecedented move, council leader Bill McIntosh vowed to splash £ 8.5million from the County Buildings goldmine.
The savings will be spent on roads, the transformation of services and to fill a huge Holyrood funding hole.
Conservative Councillor McIntosh said: “It would be intolerable to inflict further hardships on the people. We will use more reserves.”
Deputy leader John McDowall ( Labour) said: “There is no point in hoarding reserves for a rainy day when that rainy day is here.”
He said he welcomed plans to spend the wealth in “a prudent way”.
But SNP Councillor Nan McFarlane sniped: “I welcome this move but I would have welcomed it last year or the year before. I wonder if this administration is going to leave a note for the next administration saying ‘ There is no money left’.”
And party colleague Douglas Campbell said: “The reserves we have been hoarding are at last being allocated.”
Controversially, a £ 1million pot will be offered to communities who want to buy village halls – off- loading them from council ownership. A total of £ 1million has been earmarked for pot- hole ridden roads. And £ 4.6million will go towards plugging an estimated budget gap for next year. Another £ 1.9million will be poured into a new way of working called ‘ Transform South Ayrshire.’
Councillor Alec Oattes ( SNP) voiced worries that the halls would be sold off to people in a state of disrepair.
He said: “I wonder will these halls be brought up to an acceptable standard before local communities take them on.”
The announcement comes as politicians roll up their sleeves for next year’s local election fight.
The big spender approach was unveiled in a report presented to the full council on Thursday.
Labour councillor Brian McGinley said: “This report is very positive. It reflects communities and services which are vitally important at this time.”
The approval from all politicians was welcomed by Councillor McIntosh who said the local authority was moving into “uncharted waters”.
Last year people in Coylton, Dundonald and Dailly lost their libraries under savage culls which were blamed on the Scottish Government.
Thirteen additional support needs school assistant roles were chopped. The cost of school meals and golf season tickets were also increased.