Trade unions demand extra money is not ring-fenced

Fed-up trade unionists protested outside Fife House yesterday as councillors voted through £5.9 million more worth of cuts and declared: “Enough is enough.”

Members of the Fife People’s Assembly and trade unions including Unite gathered ahead of the allimportant Glenrothes meeting to make their feelings known to elected members as the effects of austerity continues to affect jobs and services.

Amid speculation that there could be more money for Scotland as part of the UK Government’s spending plans in March, Tam Kirby, chairman of the Fife Trades Union Council, said members will meet with some of the region’s MSPs today calling for any additional funding to come straight to local services.

“The Tories are doing their budget on March 11 and they are going todo a huge giveaway, because they have to,” he said.

“Extra money will come to Scotland and we want our MSPs to guarantee that this funding comes to local services, local government, health and social care, and is not ring-fenced.

“It should come straight to the directly elected members of this council for them to decide what’s best for their communities.”

Mr Kirby added that the council tax increase is something they have supported, but added: “What we should be complaining about is the fact that the SNP promised years ago that they were going to do away with council tax and bring in a fairer system, but that’s never come to fruition.”

Labour council co-leader David Ross conceded the council tax increase of 4.84% was needed to avoid further cuts.

“This has been a very difficult process with unprecedented levels of uncertainty about the funding available to us,” he said.

“With this budget we have done all we can to protect local services and keep them running as best we can.

“But the demand for support keeps increasing, we can’t avoid making cuts to services we know all too well, are having a real impact on real people.”

SNP co-leader David Alexander pointed to the deal struck at Holyrood this week which will see local authorities receive an extra £95m to spend – likely to equate to an extra £6.3m for Fife.

“Although it has yet to be confirmed, we hope Fife will receive an extra £6.3m in grant funding, which is more than the savings we’re now planning to make,” he said.

“Councillors will review the budget position in March and we’ll seriously consider how this additional funding can be put to best use.”