Labour‘sold out communities’ over agreement with Tories
Stirling SNP councillors have condemned Labour for reaching an agreement with the Tories, after both parties voted together on the latest Stirling Council budget.
Cuts of around £9.6million over 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 were agreed last week in a bid to plug a £17m funding gap.
But the SNP say some of Stirling’s most vulnerable communities are set to lose out with cuts including nursery provision in the 0-3 years category slashed by 100 places, reduction in school meal choices and the closure of the Cowane Centre building.
SNP group leader Councillor Scott Farmer said:“the people of Stirling will be deeply disappointed and shocked by the extent of these cuts. The SNP appreciate the pressure public finances are under currently, made only worse by a decade of UK Tory Government austerity, failed energy policies and the crashing of the economy by Liz Truss.
“Stirling Labour have completely sold their supporters and communities out by joining forces with the Stirling Tories to agree to this shabby budget.”
SNP finance spokesperson Councillor Gerry Mclaughlan added:“how Stirling Labour councillors can look their communities in the eyes after passing this budget with the Tories is beyond me.
“These are difficult times for public finances - of course they are. But instead of meeting the challenge with progressive values at the forefront, Labour have bought Tory councillor votes.”
Through the council’s capital programme £37m will be invested including £10.98m to enhance schools and other education settings; £6.23m for road and infrastructure improvements; £1.7m for IT and digital transformation; and £11.5m for City Region Deal projects.
A further £1m will be funded through borrowing to improve the area’s roads and pavements.
However, it is the savings across all service areas which may be of most concern. These also include the closure of several council buildings, phasing out school crossing patrols and Springkerse Park and Ride as well as a reduction in grants to several external organisations.
As well as cuts, cash is being found through a seven per cent council tax rise.
Council leader, Labour’s Chris Kane, meanwhile, said he could“weep”over the budget presented and the cuts coming down the line, adding that the decisions which had to be made had been“horrendous and absolutely horrible”.
But he said the only difference between the Labour and the SNP budgets was“when the cuts will be made”.
Tory group leader Councillor Neil Benny said the SNP had failed to look into future years or join cross-party discussions, adding:“there’s a lot of stuff in here I wouldn’t do - but there’s a need for councillors to sit round the table and talk.”
The people of Stirling will be shocked by the extent of these cuts Cllr Scott Farmer