Sparks fly over future of PKC finances

Sparks flew at a council meeting this week over who is to blame for a potential cut in council funding.

The PA revealed on Tuesday that PKC may have to save an extra £107m over the next five years.

Councillors met to discuss the situation at a full council meeting on Wednesday.

However, at the meeting the councillors rowed over whether this is due to the Scottish Government or the UK Government.

Conservative councillor Bob Brawn (Blairgowrie and Glens) put the blame at the door of the SNP government.

He said:“It is disappointing we have to anticipate further reduction in Scottish Government funding, because it will put pressure on officers and make this administration make hard decisions.

“It is the Scottish people who suffer, often the most vulnerable.

“Our opposition is screaming about Tory cuts, but growth in the Scottish economy is being dragged along on the UK economy, when it should be at the forefront.

“We have the people and the ingenuity, the only thing we lack is the government, and what does the SNP government offer? Marches through the streets for independence.

“Be it the simple truth they don’t have the money because of their own vanity projects?

“This administration will always aim to provide the best service and if savings have to be made then we will take the blame, but people are starting to see the truth of where the problem lies.”

This drew criticism from Cllr Stewart Donaldson (Strathearn) who said the Scottish Government’s funding decisions were based on the money it receives from the UK Government.

Cllr Grant Laing (Strathtay) also criticised his comments, adding 20 per cent of the administration were absent from Wednesday’s meeting because they were on holiday.