‘Baffled’ councillor says SNP should take a look a themselves

Opposition councillors have signalled their intention to bring forward an alternative Angus Council budget next year.

Arbroath councillor David Fairweather said he would not consider taking a “silver shilling” from Iain Gaul and added that the council leader should ask himself why there are no longer any opposition councillors willing to be part of the policy and budget setting group (PBSG).

He said: “I find it galling that the SNP leader with his Team Angus fantasy believes that after over four years of their mismanagement I would consider taking a silver shilling.”

He continuer: “Last year there would have been an alternative budget put forward had it not been for the SNP Government’s late notice that they would withdraw over £8 million in funding if an alternative budget suggested putting up the council tax.

“Councillor Gaul should ask himself how there are no longer any opposition members willing to take up positions in the PBSG.

“It was the SNP’s way or no way and that’s why it fell apart.”

Montrose councillor David May added: “A key issue is the freezing of the council tax for 10 years which has meant the council had to make cuts or savings which were more considerable than were done previously.

“I have in the past made it clear my opposition to this.

“With regards to the PBSG, some of the non SNP councillors are looking at an alternative budget.”

Council leader Ian Gaul said: “What we have said from day one is that Angus Council will be run as a business and our product is the services that we must provide.

“Not want to provide – must provide – to the people of Angus.

“Green waste is not a must provide. “Could we afford it? No. “We changed it.”

Arbroath councillor David Fairweather.