Stirling Council has seen cold chill of austerity

After a decade of Tory austerity, public finances are at breaking point.

This year’s budget handed down from Westminster to Holyrood failed to keep pace with inflation and with costs for everything going up, it has put public sector bodies from councils to the NHS under immense pressure.

Holyrood has some powers to defend against these cuts, but lacks others, so in this year’s budget, by raising the Higher Rate of Income Tax and the Additional Dwelling Supplement, the highest earners and those buying holiday homes and extra properties will pay a bit more to fund the public services which are so desperately needed during this cost of living crisis.

While the Green/snp Government has put in place the most progressive and fair tax system anywhere in the UK, this still isn’t enough to fight the austerity delivered through the block grant from Westminster.

Despite the austerity, the Scottish Government is continuing to expand support for people during the cost of living crisis, for example by scrapping peak time rail fares and by investing in school facilities to roll out more free meals.

But choices still had to be made about what areas of the budget to expand, where to stand still or even pull back spending.

Stirling Council has also felt the chill wind of Tory austerity as budgets from Holyrood have not been able to grow to fully meet local needs.

That means an unenviable position for local councillors to be in, but there is still flexibility and choices that can be made.

Stirling’s minority Labour group supported by their Tory partners have made some wrongheaded decisions which were avoidable and do very little to address the financial challenges the council has.

Take the increase in allotment fees from £126 to an astronomical £540 for next year.

This will raise a paltry £16,000 for the council at a time when people desperately need to access low cost, healthy food and opportunities to get outside, exercise and socialise for free.

No-one I know in Bridge of Allan is going to be able to pay the £540, so in effect the Labour council has decided to shut down its allotments penalising those on low incomes.

What would allotment tenants get for their £540 a year?

Very little it seems.

Two grass cuts of the verges and two rubbish collections.

I hope allotment tenants will continue to fight this, if needs be through a ‘can’t pay-won’t pay’ campaign.

They will have my support. We need to see continued investment in public transport while recognising that car use in the towns and cities creates problems.

But instead of expanding and building on Stirling’s Park and Ride service we are seeing cuts.

The service is essential and many people also use it to get access to the retail park from the bus station.

But while the Park and Ride will have to find operational cost savings, the car parking fees in Stirling are not rising at all.

I’m sure many people who drive would be content to pay a little more knowing that the charges were being invested in providing a decent alternative.

Making changes like this needs leadership and imagination from the Labour council administration.

So far it’s sadly lacking.

Last week, we reported how more than 200 people have signed a petition demanding Stirling Council rethink a budget cut they say would put the future of Fintry Nursery in jeopardy and disadvantage working parents.

The minority Labour administration, backed by Tory councillors, voted for changes to the operating models of both Fintry and Aberfoyle Nurseries at a recent budget meeting.

Readers shared their views on Facebook.

Ruth James posted:“it’s appalling reducing the hours of this service when these hours are truly needed. A rural community which pay above average council taxes and have working parent/s who travel miles for work. These cuts have not been considered properly. Stirling Council - you HAVE to reconsider. This not only impacts on the working parents but most importantly the young people of Fintry who should have the same rights of those in the surrounding villages. Where is the ‘equality’in that?!”

And Mairead Cameron wrote:“our 5* nursery should be celebrated and held up as an example. Not had its budget cut! 9am to 3pm is pointless when 93% of our families have two working parents, many who travel 30min to an hour to work. 66% of current parents pick up after 5pm. We also have wrap around care in Fintry for the school kids. It’s essential that we have longer hours at the nursery.”

Kim Lyner-hume agreed:“well said Mairead!! Just because we’re a little village, shouldn’t mean our services are disposable!”

Claire Kennedy said:“our children deserve to have access to the excellent care that exists within Fintry Nursery, but a reduction in the operating hours means many families will not be able to use the nursery. We need accessible childcare so we can go to work and provide for our families.such an irresponsible decision from the council and education services.”

Meanwhile Emma Mason stated: “Shocking decision by Stirling Council without any thought for the children and working parents of Fintry or Aberfoyle. Rural communities need these nurseries to help parents work and attract more young families to our villages.”

Making changes needs leadership from Labour