SNP to publish alternative Moray budget
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SNP councillors are set to reveal an alternative budget which they claim will protect services and the public from a "ludicrous" Council Tax increase.
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 alternative budget will be published on Tuesday ahead of the full council meeting but would include a proposal to scrap the Western Link Road project in Elgin which would save £180,000 in loan charges in the first year and £770,000 in loan charges from 2017/18 onwards.
