SNP and Greens ready to agree budget deal
THE SNP and Greens at Glasgow City Council are on the verge of agreeing a budget deal similar to their parties at Holyrood.
As at Holyrood, the SNP is in charge in a minority administration and needs the backing of at least one other party to get its budget through.
Senior councillors from both parties have been in talks and agreed common ground, with just weeks until the budget is voted on.
No specifics have been finalised but the deal breakers which the Greens want addressed are in line with the SNP plans.
The Greens are taking credit for forcing the Scottish Government Finance Secretary to allocate more cash to councils and they want Glasgow’s share spent on specific priorities.
The Green votes would give the SNP the 43 votes needed to pass its first city council budget.
They are requesting protection for school funding and reinvestment in cleansing, parks libraries and homelessness funding.
They want the council to match the Scottish Government public sector pay deal, more 20mph streets and improvements to walking and cycling routes.
Allan Young, Green economy spokesman, said: “Greens have already secured an extra £17.6 million for this year’s Glasgow budget. Now we’re looking to ensure those additional funds are directed into services which people value and rely on, as well as for ideas to make the city fairer and more sustainable.
“People in Glasgow voted for change last year and the new ad- ministration has a chance to signal a new direction after years of under-investment. But in a council chamber where no party has an overall majority, the final budget deal must reflect a diversity of ideas.”
The SNP said the areas the Greens highlighted are areas it is looking to deliver on.
Allan Gow, city treasurer, said: “We have held a series of productive discussions with the Green group and there are several areas of mutual interest which we have been exploring together.
“Education, clean streets and neighbourhoods, connectivity and a fair deal for our workforce are all priority areas for the SNP City Government.
“The citizens of Glasgow voted for change and our budget will lay the firmest of foundations for both fairness and that change the electorate demanded.”