Lib Dem leader vows to work with Fife’s new administration

council: Party will ‘criticise’ what it doesn’t like but says constructive way is best for region

Fife Council’s Liberal Democrat leader has pledged to work with the new SNP/Labour administration – but only when he genuinely believes they are right.

Tim Brett said he would “rigorously criticise” them when he thought they were wrong, but added: “We won’t oppose for the sake of opposing.”

The Tay Bridgehead councillor said his party’s approach was the only constructive way forward for the people of Fife.

Mr Brett was speaking after old adversaries, Labour and the SNP, formed a power-sharing agreement to run the local authority after neither secured enough seats to form a majority.

The agreement will run for one year in the first instance and will be reviewed in May 2018, at which time it will either be extended or terminated.

Either group can end the arrangement at any time but both have made a commitment to make every effort to resolve any differences between them first.

Mr Brett said he was seeking an early meeting with joint administration leaders David Ross for Labour and David Alexander for the SNP to discuss a number of matters.

“There are a lot of things we would support but also a lot of things we think should be included,” he said.

“Under economy they are talking about Fife College and St Andrews University but there’s no mention of SRUC at Elmwood and Dundee University, which has a nursing college in Kirkcaldy.

“And there’s no reference to the fact that 20% of the population looks to NHS Tayside for its services. These are points I hope would be included and I will raise them when we meet.”

Mr Brett urged Conservative leader Dave Dempsey to adopt a similar approach to his in a bid to ensure the smooth running of the council.

Mr Dempsey has pledged to scrutinise the administration “to death” and accused them of discounting the votes of thousands of people by deliberately excluding the Tories from decisionmaking.

Mr Ross and Mr Alexander have insisted they will put the interests of Fife first and will protect and enhance local services and jobs.

They said they would speak to the two other leaders about any proposals they had.

There are a lot of things we would support but also a lot of things we think should be included. COUNCILLOR TIM BRETT, LIB DEM GROUP LEADER