‘ Cynical and deplorable’
Ex- leader blasts officer blame game
A top councillor has slammed a “cynical and deplorable” blame game over this year’s budget cuts.
Former leader, Hugh Hunter, ridiculed the claim that “senior staff” are leading the cull.
It follows current chief, Douglas Campbell, insisting he had left proposals solely down to line managers.
Cllr Hunter, who led South Ayrshire between 2007 and 2010, claimed: “Never in my time would we have pointed the finger at officers in this way.
“They form a vital part of any budget setting process, but by no means should they be held up as solely responsible.
“You get round a table, you go through proposals and talk about which of the worst ones don’t even need to see the light of day.
“But this year’s administration has caused all manner of panic among families by failing to do that.
“They need to start taking ownership of this – it is totally unacceptable otherwise.”
We told last week how Cllr Campbell had been urged to “consider his position” by Tory MSP, Brian Whittle, over the row.
The SNP leader hit back: “Mr Whittle’s approach is ‘ I would decide what you need to know, I will decide what is best for you, and once I have decided it will be too late for you to object.’”
But Cllr Hunter, who represents Prestwick on the opposition, said: “I view it as nothing more than a cynical and deplorable PR stunt.
“Many services and jobs that are under threat could have been saved long before now.”