Budget is passed with Tory support
Stirling Council’s budget for 2018/19 was agreed with relatively little fuss despite some being unable to resist the temptation to score some political points.
Whether a calculated move to look like the good guys, or a genuine attempt to recognise the best attempt had been made to balance the budget amid ongoing financial pressures, the Conservatives set about proceedings in “a spirit of cooperation”.
While the Tories described the £214.9m budget as “eminently supportable”, with Tory leader Neil Benny even praising Labour finance convener Margaret Brisley and officers, they moved an amendment proposing some changes including the rejection of shared headships, deferral of £430,000 of Active Stirling savings to allow more impact analysis, £20,000 for dog fouling initiatives, £30,000 for an employment initiative for adults with learning difficulties; and expanding the timescale of support to ease introduction of Universal Credit.
Council leader Scott Farmer (SNP) said: “Should we be saying to council tax payers of Stirling they should have to put in their hard-earned money to mitigate the impact of Tory austerity and welfare cuts? You should be liaising with your party and your MP.”
The Tories secured the backing of independent councillor Robert Davies, however their amendment fell after the SNP/ Labour administration and sole Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache voted against it.
The administration’s budget was, however, then passed