Stirling Labour Shuts Down Debate on Fiscal Farce

Cuts to Nursery Provision Only Partially Reversed

Stirling SNP Council Group Leader Scott Farmer has lambasted the leader of the Tory-Labour coalition Chris Kane, after the latter cut short a Special Meeting aimed at reversing unpopular budget cuts in the Tory-Labour budget – whilst only partial funding was restored to nursery provision across the Council area.

Scheduled in the evening of Thursday 30th March, the purpose of the meeting was to debate and decide how best to use a cash injection provided by additional Scottish Government investment. Instead of allowing a full and proper debate between Councillors, in front of assembled children and residents from groups impacted by budget cuts, Councillor Leader Chris Kane closed the meeting after 25 minutes.

Amongst items reversed included the disastrous hours cut to both Fintry and Aberfoyle nurseries, which SNP Councillors had warned threatened the long-term viability of primary education provision in these communities. However the administration stayed the course on plans to cut back on all non-statutory nursery provision to under 3s – removing over 50 nursery places and placing additional pressure on working families. Funding will also be removed from the Council’s parent-family support team, aimed at preventative action to keep family units together and supported.

Stirling SNP Council Group Leader Scott Farmer said:

‘It truly is unbelievable that only weeks after passing their budget with the support of the Tories, Labour have done an about-turn to reverse their own plan of cuts. The sheer opposition, including those children assembled in the public galleries during the meeting, might have been avoided had Labour and the Tories actually thought through their plans. Instead they arrogantly walked into this fiscal farce which has seriously dented their credibility with community groups and communities all over Stirling.

‘To then close down debate after not even half an hour is disgraceful. It is the job of opposition parties to hold Labour and the Tories to account for their decisions. Closing down Special Meetings, specifically called to rectify the mistakes made by said red-blue pact, is the height of disrespect to Stirling’s residents and our local democracy.’

Stirling SNP Spokesperson for Children and Young People Cllr Susan McGill said:

‘Whilst Labour and the Tories are patting themselves on the back for u-turning on their own budget, families across Stirling will still feel the impact of remaining cuts. The parent-family support team’s budget will be cut this year to the tune of £151,000, and around £80,000 next year. Their vital preventative work in supporting families through difficult periods will become much harder, and reduced capacity will sadly mean less positive outcomes for Stirling’s children and young people.’ 

‘Labour’s cut to nursery provision will hit some of Stirling’s most vulnerable communities hardest – including those in Raploch, Cornton, Cowie and Fallin. Labour have ignored warnings from officials, and pressed ahead with these budget cuts with support from their Tory colleagues. These communities have long memories, and will rightly think twice before voting Labour again, only to get Tory cuts to their community.’