Argyll and Bute Council’s newest elected member has called into question the “archaic” process through which the authority makes decisions like setting its budget.
But the council has defended its way of working, saying it is in line with other authorities across Scotland, and that all decisions are carefully considered.
South Kintyre councillor Jennifer Kelly, who was elected after a November by-election, following the resignation of her long-serving father Donald Kelly, spoke out after the decision was made to increase council tax in Argyll and Bute by 10 per cent.
At a meeting of the full council on February 22, the ruling Argyll, Lomond and Islands Group’s budget motion prevailed by two votes, moving a 10 per cent tax hike.
This decision sparked anger among the public and led to criticism from the Scottish Government, which had promised a freeze.
An amendment by Argyll and Bute’s Strategic Opposition Partnership would have seen council tax frozen.
Councillor Kelly, an independent councillor, who is not aligned with either the administration or opposition group, voted for the amendment.
Following the meeting, she said: “As a new councillor attending my first council budget and trying to get to grips with the process for the first time, I was astounded to realise that budget proposals – motion and amendments – are only made available to all members on the morning of the meeting.
“This means that unless you are part of one of the larger coalition groups, you are unlikely to have had sight of any of the proposals until the meeting has begun and those within the groups will only have had sight of their own budget proposal prior to the meeting.
“Members are expected to sit during the meeting, within the chamber, and digest all proposals brought before them and ascertain within a very short time frame which would be best for Argyll and Bute.”
Councillor Kelly believes there must be a “better way of working” that gives elected members more time to examine the proposals before casting their votes.
“I seriously question how anyone can be expected to make an educated and fully-informed decision when they have been unable to fully scrutinise the choices laid before them at the eleventh hour,” she said.
“I completely disagree with this way of working as I believe all proposals should be made available in good time to all members ahead of the meeting so we are all able to fully understand the implications of each proposal for our constituency areas and for the council as a whole, ask relevant questions on each group’s suggestions and discuss amendments that could be made to either proposal in a sensible, transparent and fair manner without any party political mudslinging.
“If this was feasible, perhaps we could work together as a full council and come up with a preferable budget proposal all round.
“I am aware this particular aspiration is probably outside the realms of the realistic, at least in the current climate, however I wholly believe that there has to be a better way of working than the unacceptable and archaic means we currently have to abide by.”
She added that she does not believe party politics should be brought into local government decisions.
“It is clear there are sensible people on both sides of the political divide, who I know only want what’s best for their communities,” she said, “however, most are forced to toe the party line and therefore perhaps don’t feel able to voice their true opinions at times.
“I am finding this increasingly frustrating and hope that sometime in the near future we can find a way of truly working collaboratively in a manner which best serves everyone in Argyll and Bute and provides real transparency and accountability.”
In response to Councillor Kelly’s comments, an Argyll and Bute spokesperson said that setting Argyll and Bute’s budget is a complex decision-making process and not one that is taken lightly.
“There is a great deal of preparation that goes into it, starting mid-year leading up to the day of the budget,” said the spokesperson.
“This year, the Scottish Government approached the council with information on funding the day before the meeting, which meant further considerations had to be made.
“For this year’s budget, the council constituted a budget working group comprising cross party members and advised by senior officers on the emerging budget position and outlining options for consideration. This informed members on potential budget proposals.
“We also held budget seminars to advise all members of the emerging budget position.
“Most, if not all, councils operate on the basis that budget motions are brought forward on the day of the budget meeting and budget proposals can be worked on right up to that meeting.
“More recently, the council leader introduced a process of sharing budget proposals an hour or so prior to the budget meeting and this is reciprocated by the leader of the opposition.
“It is also open to members to agree an adjournment during the course of the meeting to read and consider the motions.”
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