South Lanarkshire Labour moved against the Council’s budget today, branding it a ‘let down’ for communities ‘crying out for investment’.
SNP and Tory councillors rejected Labour plans to invest over £3 million in frontline services
Labour councillors said they would only support a council budget that met their three tests: investment in frontline services, tackle the cost of living crisis, and improve transparency in how budget decisions are made.
I am appealing to every voter fed up with decline in our communities to take a stand. Unite behind Labour, get the SNP out and let’s turn this Council around.
However, Labour Group leader Joe Fagan claimed the budget that was set at today’s (23rd February 2022) Council meeting failed all three tests as Labour’s progressive alternative, which included over £3 million for local services and a £3 million Cost of Living Action Plan, was voted down by SNP and Tory councillors.
Councillor Joe Fagan, Leader of South Lanarkshire Labour Group, said:
This weak SNP budget lets down every community crying out for investment. SNP and Tory councillors have voted against decisive action on the cost of living crisis and shown how out of touch they are with the people they are supposed to represent.
This budget fails the fairness test – it does not help enough with living costs. It fails the frontline test – it does not deliver the cash boost local services need. It fails the transparency test – it does nothing to improve scrutiny of how budget decisions are made.
This budget is all the proof we need that after five wasted years of drift and decline, the SNP Council are completely out of ideas. Our council needs new leadership – and needs it now.
Labour proposed to use additional one-off funding that had been made available to improve frontline services and provide additional help for those already suffering from cost of living increases.
Councillor Joe Fagan: “this Budget is all the proof we need that after five wasted years of drift and decline, the SNP Council are completely out of ideas.”
Councillor Fagan explained:
From taking action on fly-tipping to helping with new fire alarm costs, Labour’s alternative aimed to meet the real needs of local people. Our £3 million Frontline First Fund would have boosted local services and our Cost of Living Action Plan would have delivered a £100 bonus to top up the School Clothing Grant. Labour’s proposals could have achieved all of this with Council Tax capped at 2.2%.
Labour’s plans included an additional free waste uplift for households, and £100,000 to provide additional support for older and vulnerable people in South Lanarkshire to install interlinked fire and smoke alarms.
Clearly in a combative mood, Councillor Fagan sent out a reminder that there would soon be an opportunity for South Lanarkshire residents to change the leadership of the council, saying:
It’s clear that the fight for a better budget will not be won in the Council Chamber. It will be won on the doorsteps of South Lanarkshire.
I am appealing to every voter fed up with decline in our communities to take a stand.
Unite behind Labour, get the SNP out and let’s turn this Council around.
23rd February 2022
