Dumfries and Galloway Council budget meeting drama as SNP spending plans voted through
The Conservative administration failed to convince other parties to back their budget - meaning a power shift to the SNP is now possible
A dramatic budget meeting on Tuesday has resulted in a blurry picture of who is actually in charge of Dumfries and Galloway Council.
The Conservatives group – who seized control of the council from the coalition administration during last year’s budget meeting – were stunned as their budget proposals for the year ahead failed to gain enough votes.
The opposition SNP budget was surprisingly backed by the Labour Group, along with some independent councillors, and was voted through 22-20.
Events mirror what happened at last year's budget meeting
When this scenario happened in reverse last year as the Tory budget got most votes, SNP Group leader Stephen Thompson immediately stepped down saying that his position was “untenable”.
Despite the obvious power swing, there was no announcement from the Conservatives.
The meeting carried on as normal and, as things stand, the Tories are presiding over an SNP budget.
However that may change as discussions between the Conservatives, Labour, SNP, independents, and one Lib Dems councillor will take place over the coming days.
Annandale North Councillor Stephen Thompson, leader of the SNP Group, said afterwards: “We were really pleased to get support for our budget across the council chamber. I expect there will be a lot of discussions between councillors in the coming days but don’t really know right now what will develop.
All three party's budgets were similar
“There were a lot of similarities in all the budgets. We wanted to prioritise cost of living initiatives and keep work on the roads a priority, as well as support ASN (additional support needs) transport.”
He added that there is likely to be more funding incoming from the UK Government in March, and said that this will then allow for education to be looked at more closely, and some cost savings to be revisited.
Meanwhile, the Labour Group are taking credit for a better investment in education in the year ahead, forcing both SNP and the Conservatives to amend their own budget proposals in line with Labour ideas.
Annandale North Councillor Carolyne Wilson, deputy leader of the Labour Group, said: “This is a significant win for the Labour Group as our budget proposals, borrowed by the SNP, technically won out on the day.
“It is gratifying we will get the opportunity either at full council or FPT (finance, procurement and transformation committee) to keep 14 teachers in post.”
SNP group could now take control of council administration
With their budget proposals backed by a majority of councillors, it is likely that the SNP Group will take charge of running the council 12 months on from being deposed.
Group leader Stephen Thompson would almost certainly be appointed new council leader, a position he shared with previous Labour’s Linda Dorward before the coalition fell apart.
A council tax freeze was agreed, however a 100 percent council tax increase on second homes is being introduced to generate additional income of ÂŁ1.66m per year.
A cashpot of ÂŁ1.827m has been set aside for the cost of living crisis and paying for 15 different initiatives to increase income for people in the community and help them reduce their expenditure.