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SNP OPPOSITION GROUP PUBLISH ALTERNATIVE BUDGET FOR MORAY

Moray’s SNP Opposition Council Group has published its full alternative budget ahead of tomorrow’s Moray Council budget setting meeting.

In their budget proposals SNP Councillors have identified savings through management restructuring, backroom efficiencies, increased income and ending the controversial Western Link Road project.

In total SNP Councillors have identified more than £3 million of additional savings over 2 years compared to the Independent/Tory Administration budget, which has enabled the group to propose the reinstatement of several key budget lines.

SNP Group Leader Gary Coull said:

“We have worked hard as a group, gathering information and sharing ideas. By doing that we believe that an additional £3 million of savings are achievable. This allows us to put quarter of a million pounds back into key economic development budgets, properly supporting the Citizens Advice Bureau and reducing the impact of school meals and music tuition increases.

“This can be achieved by making serious efforts to restructure the Council’s management, significantly increasing efforts to gain energy efficiency savings, increasing income by selling advertising opportunities on the Council’s bus fleet and in our leisure facilities and ending the controversial Western Link Road project. All areas that the public have been calling for us to look at.

“By taking a different, more responsible approach to the budget we have identified greater savings while still maintaining critical services and, crucially, keeping in place the SNP’s promise of a Council Tax freeze.

“The Council’s Administration have questions to answer over how they took the lazy option of an 18% Council Tax rise causing undue worry and concern to many people, but have since then found a significant underspend, as well as more savings. How hard did they really try to find savings in the first place? This shows just how much of a knee jerk reaction their plan for a Council Tax hike was. Our plan means a smaller budget deficit next year rather than a ticking financial time bomb.

“Independent and Tory Councillors in Moray would see us sleepwalking towards bankruptcy next year, which is completely irresponsible.”

The SNP opposition group have identified savings of £7,078,000 between 2016/18 compared to that of the Tory/Independent ruling administration who have only Identified a total of £4,267,000 for the same period.

The SNP group have identified savings of 3 million - more than the Tory/Independent ruling administration without harsh increases to School meals and music tuition.

MORAY SNP OPPOSITION SET OUT ALTERNATIVE COUNCIL BUDGET PRIORITIES
“THIS ALTERNATIVE PROTECTS SERVICES AND PROTECTS THE PUBLIC FROM LUDICROUS BILL RISES” - CLLR GARY COULL

SNP Opposition Councillors are set to propose an alternative and responsible budget that will protect critical services and maintain a Council Tax Freeze but still find substantially more savings than are being proposed by the Council’s Independent/Tory Administration.

The SNP Opposition Group has been working a range of proposals, getting information from Council Officers and looking at serious alternatives to the proposed Independent/Tory budget.

They have also heavily criticised the Council Administration over their ‘knee-jerk reaction’ plans to increase Council Tax when serious alternatives are available.

A full alternative budget will be presented by the SNP Opposition at Wednesday’s budget meeting.

SNP Opposition Group Leader Cllr Gary Coull said:

“By proposing a crazy 18% Council Tax rise the Independent/Tory Administration of Moray Council showed just how bereft of ideas they are. Their own budget shows how they jumped in with both feet and why no increase to Council Tax was ever needed.

“The SNP has worked on alternative proposals that will save the Council £3 million more than the Administration proposals rather than leaving a huge time bomb for next year’s budget.

“At the same time our proposals also protect the least well off from excessive increases in School Meals and Music Tuition charges, they would protect critical services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and they would protect vital Economic Development investment, which is obviously important for growing our economy and supporting job creation.

“Independent and Tory Councillors seem not to have an original or innovative idea on the direction Moray Council should take. We are taking a common sense, practical and sustainable approach that would put the Council on a far better footing to face the ongoing challenges from Tory austerity economics coming from Westminster.”

The SNP group will also propose that the western link road project should be scrapped saving £180k in loan charges in the first year and £770k in loan charges from 2017/18 onwards.

We also have learned that the SNP’s alternative budget proposals have been agreed as practical with the Council’s Head of Financial Services.

The SNP’s detailed budget proposal will be published in full tomorrow [Tuesday], prior to Wednesday’s budget meeting.

STRUGGLING WITH ENERGY BILLS? HELP IS AVAILABLE, SAYS MORAY MP

Moray’s SNP MP Angus Robertson is highlighting the availability of free financial help and advice from independent charity, The Scottish Gas Energy Trust (SGET) as well as Scottish Gas and StepChange Debt Charity.
SGET provides grants to help pay off gas and electricity debts and to purchase energy efficient white goods such as washing machines and fridge/freezers.
Commenting, Angus Robertson said:
“January and February can be a financially difficult time for many so I’d strongly encourage anyone who is worried about their energy bills to get in touch with the Scottish Gas Energy Trust to get help and advice.

“I know from the surgeries I hold that the cost of Energy and other essential household services are a major concern for people across Moray.
“You don’t have to be a Scottish Gas customer to use this helpline and the help given is completely free.”
Imelda Redmond CBE, Chair of Trustees at the Trust, added:
“Keeping on top of winter bills and managing debt is very important, which is why we urge anyone in difficulty to contact us as soon as possible.
“The Trust is committed to helping as many people as possible whether through direct financial assistance, help with the purchase of appliances or through the many voluntary organizations we fund to provide money and energy debt advice."
The Trust has provided more than £85m of help and assistance to 175,000 people since it was established in 2004.
Contact the Trust on 01733 421060 or via email on [email protected]
Scottish Gas also provides direct help for customers. This includes helping thousands of people, who are having difficulty paying their bills, with an interest free debt repayment plan. The company also helps millions of people with energy saving measures and has 1.5m customers registered on a Priority Services Register, which offers additional help for disabled or chronically ill customers and those of pensionable age.
More than 9,000 people have also been helped by a Scottish Gas/StepChange Debt Charity partnership which sees those in need receive specialist support and advice from trained professionals.
For more information please contact Scottish Gas on Freephone 0800 048 0202.

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