Education, council tax top priorities

DEREK Scott, leader of the Conservative party in Dundee, outlined his party’s concerns as well as plans for an alternative budget.

Mr Scott also highlighted his party’s priorities for the upcoming budget, which included protecting education and social services and also preventing a council tax increase.

Mr Scott said: “We would repeat our call for the city to be given its fair share of funding to negate the need to have to make such drastic cuts.

“We will certainly look at moving an alternative budget if we find any cuts or increases in charges proposed by the council’s SNP administration to be unpalatable.

“Our priorities would be to protect education and social services and try to stop a further increase in council tax, since many Dundee householders faced massive increases last year. We also want to make sure the council doesn’t scrimp on litter-picking and land maintenance, given that this year the eyes of the world will be on Dundee when the V&A Museum is unveiled.”

At a recent meeting of the city council, Mr Scott said: “I was concerned to read comments the leader of the administration John Alexander made about prioritising education and social care over things like grass cutting.

“I think we should be able to provide all the work we do at a decent level.”