12 Month Delay Further Evidence of Council Dysfunction
Local councillors Jim Thomson and Rosemary Fraser have welcomed the adoption of the ‘Pollinator Action Plan’ by Stirling Council, aimed to protect and boost flora and fauna across the whole of Stirling – yet have criticised the long delays in reaching a conclusion.
Stirling Council formally declared a Climate Emergency in October 2019, and produced draft plans to deal with the full scope of the crisis. The overarching ‘Alive With Nature’ strategy was approved in February 2022, yet the ‘Pollinator Action Plan’, a key strand of overall works, was only passed in February 2023 – a 12 month delay.
The woes come on top of a growing budget deficit and rock-bottom staff morale for the organisation, which has experienced significant instability and internal delays after the appointment of a minority Labour administration – backed by the Tories.
Councillor Jim Thomson said:
‘Whilst I welcome the adoption of the PAP, it’s taken a further 12 months after the Council’s main climate strategy was adopted. Given these plans are heavily co-dependent, I’d have thought it would be a higher priority for the administration. The SNP will monitor developments carefully to ensure the Council continues to do their utmost to protect Stirling’s environmental assets, and we hope the Labour-Tory administration do right by future generations.’
Councillor Rosemary Fraser said:
‘We’re still in the midst of a Climate Emergency, and although I’m pleased to see some progress from Stirling Council on addressing our local strategy, delays are never welcome. I hope the Labour-Tory administration takes seriously their responsibility to steward Stirling’s communities, and the newly implemented plans are actually delivered. Stirling SNP will continue to hold their feet to the fire, as this issue is far too important to leave at the sidelines.’