Council budget: 10 minutes to consider multi-million pound budgets – is this acceptable?
With the South Lanarkshire Council budget being set next week (26th February), Green Councillor, Kirsten Robb, is pushing for greater transparency that she believes will improve the budget setting process.
As Kirsten pointed out: “In previous years, I’ve had 10 minutes to consider 2 multi-million pound budgets affecting all of South Lanarkshire, much less time than for normal council motions. I think more budget transparency would improve our politics, build trust, increase scrutiny and take the best ideas from across the political spectrum to improve our communities. “
After the budget last year, Kirsten proposed an amendment to the council’s standing orders that all parties should publish their budgets well in advance of budget day. This isn’t a radical suggestion, as other councils do it. In Edinburgh Council budgets are published a week before, then negotiations take place between different parties to try and come up with a budget that will pass. Not so in South Lanarkshire, whilst the SNP and an independent councillor supported her amendment, other parties voted against it. With the South Lanarkshire Council budget being set next week (26th February), Green Councillor, Kirsten Robb, is again pushing for greater transparency to improve the budget setting process.
To try and get more good things happening in our communities, Kirsten shared her investment ideas with all political parties last week, over two weeks before budget day. She is now sharing these publicly, along with key issues she feels are important for other parties to take on board in their budgets.
“From door knocking and case work, I’m hearing loud and clear that communities want investment to maintain, repair and improve our streets, homes and public buildings. And that the public services we rely on are maintained and developed to meet today’s needs. These investments would make it better and safer to get about, easier to keep our homes warm, ensure a healthier environment and help more people thrive. I’m also conscious that many people are struggling so we need to balance this investment with the current cost of living. Therefore, I am also pushing for school meal prices to be frozen to help families and young people. The National Insurance hike is also having a major impact on the budget.”
As South Lanarkshire’s first Green councillor elected nearly 3 years ago, Kirsten has been learning more about the budget process every year. “I’m working on the budget every single day at the moment. I hope to be in a position to share my first detailed budget proposal ahead of the meeting. I hope other parties will choose to do the same.”
Gillian Mackay, the Scottish Greens MSP for Central Scotland added:
“Kirsten is a remarkable councillor and despite being the only Green Councillor in South Lanarkshire, she is making an incredible impact in East Kilbride and across the local authority.
“We all benefit from safer and more accessible streets and cleaner air. I want that for every community in Scotland. Kirsten’s plan would do exactly that.
“I hope that representatives from all parties can work in a cooperative manner to deliver the change that is needed for my constituents.”
ENDS
Kirsten’s key budget proposals
- Help for housing and energy costs: investment is needed to ensure more council and factored homes are weather resilient, warmer, well maintained and fit for the future.
- Investment in our young people via new activities, options and support, particularly those with additional needs, for all to thrive within or outwith school. A freeze to school meal prices.
- Investment in our leisure centres and country parks for health, wellbeing and environmental sustainability
- Stronger enforcement action on littering, dog fouling and waste including the employment of community wardens and more mobile CCTV to fine those who drop litter and cause fly tipping
- Improve footpaths around schools and communities to help more people choose walking or cycling as a healthy, sustainable option, explore bike and car share options to reduce parking pressure
- Greenspaces for people and nature: investment to ensure neighbourhoods are well maintained, biodiverse and accessible but also with reduced public and environmental exposure to chemical weedkillers
