Councils Tread Difficult Path

The fallout from the City Council's Budget meeting continues. The editorial in Friday's Courier and Advertiser made interesting reading I quote the relevant paragraphs about Dundee:

'Dundee's cuts total £5 million, but one £170,000 cut - from Dundee Employment and Aftercare Project (DEAP) - led to an unholy row between the SNP and opposition. A Labour amendment to restore part of the cash was declared incompetent by committee convener Councillor Willie Sawers, sparking fury among opposition councillors and the public gallery.

Labour are livid. They had earlier submitted their motion to the council chief legal officer, who checked and passed it. In a striking show of unanimity, councillors of other parties were equally furious. The episode reflects very badly on the convener: his high-handedness has severely damaged cooperation with the other parties and the repute of the council itself.'

Further fall-out about the budget process and the lack of transparency in the council chamber can be found in Friday's Evening Telegraph.