| Brackens Independent councillor Ian Borthwick said he welcomed the pledge by Liberal Democrat group leader Fraser Macpherson, who is the council’s finance convener, to battle for a zero increase in council tax.
However, Mr Borthwick said he did not believe the sums added up alongside the Liberal Democrats’ promise of additional work across the city.
He explained, “I am amazed to see the call by Fraser Macpherson for a zero increase budget.
“A cursory examination of newsletters circulated by him and his colleague shows that, over the past year, they have publicised their requests for the council to carry out a huge range of costly additional work.”
Mr Borthwick said the Lib Dems’ work had seen two major pedestrian crossings, road re-surfacing, numerous new bus shelters and council-funded work on unadopted pavements in a number of locations.
He continued, “I agree there is a continual need for improvements to local services provided by the council.
“It is also crucial to protect local folk from excessive tax rises, but it is important to be open and frank with the local electorate.
“The new services sought by Mr Macpherson, alongside the continuous Lib Dem campaigning on graffiti and dog fouling, can be provided — at a cost.
“If increased services are to be provided without an increase in council tax, I would be concerned that this will be at the expense of cuts in other service areas, or funded by an increase in charges for council services that will hit the most vulnerable members of our community in the pocket.
“I am glad Mr Macpherson can see the need to provide quality services, but I would encourage him to come clean about how the costs of his service requests will be funded.” |
