SNP-LED coalition’s budget process an ‘embarrassment to Fife’ – Hood

Fife Labour’s finance spokesman Councillor Mark Hood has described the way the council have gone about setting their annual budget as an ‘embarrassment to Fife’.

The senior councillor said Fife Labour would spend two months consulting the people of Fife before setting out spending plans.

The SNP/Lib Dem coalition revealed their budget to Fife less than an hour before it was rubber stamped.

Councillor Hood said: “For a multi-million pound organisation delivering some of the most important services to the people of Fife, the way it sets its budget is nothing less than an embarrassment to Fife.

“To have the SNP and Lib Dem coalition administration running Fife Council to produce an 86 page document 40 minutes before one of the most important meetings of the council’s year and then expect it to be reviewed and given the consideration it deserves, is simply ridiculous.

“If any one of the council’s partner organisations were to operate in the same manner I’m sure councillors would be asking questions and rightly so. The SNP/ Lib Dem coalition budget has now been forced through with little or no consultation with the public and very little real scrutiny.”

Councillor Hood made a commitment that if Labour were to form the next administration changes would be made.

He said: “If Fife Labour form the administration after May’s local government elections it will publish a draft budget at the end of November this year allowing over two months for consultation with Fife residents, community groups, businesses, voluntary organisations and the other political groups.

“This can only lead to better decisions and ultimately better results for the people of Fife. It’s time that the SNP/Lib Dem coalition accepted this process has no place in a modern democracy and take the responsibility to change how these important decisions are reached.”