Opposition parties to pitch their budget alternatives in meeting

Opposition parties in Dundee will go up against the SNP administration today in a battle of the budgets.

Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives will all bring alternative proposals to the table when the council meets at the Central Baptist Church.

The ruling SNP group will be putting forward plans which include a near-maximum 4.8% council tax rise to generate £2.5 million, with a number of savings also outlined to bring in a further £5m.

Efficiency savings also include reducing the council’s overall headcount to raise £250,000, along with a staff structure review in schools to save £234,000.

The Tory finance spokesman Philip Scott said they would hold the council tax increase to 3% and reverse plans to cut education budgets, while spending additional capital budget income on roads and pavements.

Labour group leader Kevin Keenan said the party’s alternative budget would focus on investing in education and mental health and drugs services.

He said they were also against plans to increase burial costs in the city, close municipal bowling greens and move towards three-weekly bin collections.

Liberal Democrat group leader Fraser Macpherson said his party’s alternative budget will avoid such a high increase in council tax and stop cuts to school crossing patrollers, bowling greens and revenue expenditure on roads, as well as stopping SNP plans to reduce general waste bin collections.

Mr Macpherson said the group will also aim to stop increases in burial charges.