THE TORY/INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATION BUDGET PASSED BY 13 VOTES TO 11.

Moray Council approved its budget by two votes following a two-hour meeting today. The vote was 13 - 11 for the Independent /Conservative administration, supported by Labour councillor John Divers. The SNP opposition budget was supported by non-aligned Conservative councillor Douglas Ross.

SNP Opposition Group Leader on The Moray Council, Cllr Gary Coull, has commented following today’s budget vote, which was narrowly won by the Council’s Administration by 13 votes to 11.

Cllr Coull said:

“What we saw today from the Tory/Independent Administration was a poor excuse for a budget that was based almost entirely on the cuts offered up by council officers and barely an original thought from the Administration despite having had months to work on it.

“In contrast the SNP put forward an alternative budget that looked beyond the same old, same old cuts that are unsustainable.

“We are delighted that Moray’s taxpayers have been saved from a ludicrous 18% rise in Council Tax, which we have demonstrated clear alternatives to.

“I sincerely hope that the Council will take notice of those alternatives that we believe are proportionate and fair. If they don’t start using some of the blue sky thinking, which bizarrely they have criticised the SNP for, then they will lead Moray Council to bankruptcy.

“What Moray Council’s Administration lacks is the political will to challenge the status quo of service provision and unless the Council’s leader actually starts to lead then I fear they will take the Council over the edge of a financial cliff.”