| In response to a parliamentary question from North-East Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone, Finance Minister Tom McCabe confirmed what he told the Evening Telegraph two weeks ago — there are no plans to change boundaries until after the Scottish elections in 2007.
Mr McCabe initially sparked speculation local authority boundaries could be altered, singling out Dundee as a prime example of why change is needed.
His remarks enraged councillors in Angus and Perth and Kinross who issued a “hands-off” warning.
Mr McCabe previously said many of the services in Dundee were used by people living in neighbouring affluent areas, but who did not contribute taxes to the city council.
The uncertainty over possible changes to the boundaries spurred Mr Johnstone to seek clarification of the intentions of the Scottish Executive.
In his reply, Mr McCabe said, “Scottish ministers have no current plans to redraw local government boundaries.
“However, we will of course listen to any representations made to us by local authorities or communities.”
The question of the city boundary has been an open political sore since affluent areas like Monifieth and Invergowrie were removed from Dundee when the regional council system was dissolved in the 1990s by the Conservative government.
Rob Murray, Angus Council leader and Monifieth Central councillor, remains opposed to a redrawing of boundaries that could see his constituency return to Dundee.
Perth and Kinross councillors last month passed an emergency motion to defend their turf in response to the potential boundary changes, claiming they will not be “robbed” of their eastern-most territory. |
