The profligacy of Perth and Kinross’ SNP councillors was laid bare in the Scottish Parliament today when Murdo Fraser called out nationalists for spending £150,000 on new chairs despite being handed budget cuts from John Swinney.
During a debate on the Local Government Finance Settlement the Conservative Finance spokesman questioned the rationale of the decision to move the council chambers at a cost of nearly £1m, when many third sector organisations are struggling for funding.
Controversy was sparked last month when the Conservative group on Perth and Kinross Council voted against SNP proposals to relocate the council chamber at a cost of nearly £1m whilst furnishing them with tables and chairs costing over £150k.
Speaking in the Chamber Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Other Councils have to take responsibility for some of the choices they have made. In Perth & Kinross, the SNP run Council has chosen to spend nearly £1m on a relocation of the Council Chambers from the top floor to the ground floor of the Council Headquarters. While I am sure this is a desirable project, one has to ask whether, in these straitened times, it is a priority.
“The costs involved include £150k on new chairs and desks for Councillors, at a time when many of those in the voluntary sector who reply on Council funding are facing an uncertain future.”
Commenting later Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“The SNP group on Perth and Kinross Council have some cheek to lambast the UK Government for budget cuts when they have been feathering their nests with fancy new chairs and tables.
“Furthermore, it is within the gift of the Scottish Government to prevent budget cuts but John Swinney has chosen not to do so. It is high time the SNP started living by the decisions they make.”