Councillor Fraser Macpherson, who vigorously opposed the cuts, said the move was “a staggering example of the SNP acting as Robin Hood in reverse — taking from the poorest in society, the people most in need of help”.

But administration leader Ken Guild rounded angrily on Councillor Macpherson’s claims, dismissing the attack as “blatant headline chasing” and insisting the West End representative had already been party to pre-budget discussions.

On Monday night councillors heard directly from representatives of one of the projects affected — Dundee Employment and Aftercare Project Limited (DEAP) — who claim they are helping large numbers of Dundee people to secure sustainable employment. DEAP conducts 13 job shops across the city in local community centres and has around 2500 clients registered for employability support. In under two years, it has helped secure over 1400 job outcomes.

At the meeting on Monday night, the public and the press were excluded from hearing the representations from DEAP — a move opposed by Labour and Conservative councillors.

Today Councillor Macpherson called for the funding process to be more transparent — and claimed the £1.5 million of cuts proposed were required because the council was “incapable” of balancing its budget.

He added, “The dynamics between the city council and Dundee Partnership lack transparency and democratic accountability and I have suggested to the council’s chief executive that they be subject to review. Councillors are accountable to the electorate, but there seems remarkably little accountability in the decision-making process that resulted in so many valuable projects having funding removed or reduced.

“It appears the SNP administration can take away £1.5 million of the Dundee Partnership’s Fairer Scotland Funding allocation at the drop of a hat, and councillors who want to see funding restored to projects are ruled out of order.

“There is something very wrong about that and a full review of the relationship between Dundee City Council and the Dundee Partnership is urgently required.”

But Councillor Guild gave his council colleague’s concerns short shrift. He said, “Councillor Macpherson has been involved in the pre-budget discussions along with the other group leaders on the council and he is well aware that the SNP is trying to make the legally required savings with minimum effect on council services.”

n The Dundee Partnership — a collaboration of public and private bodies which aims to improve the city — makes annual recommendations about the level of FSF funding, but it is the city council’s responsibility to confirm any awards.