SNP councillors have accused Stirling’s new council leader and Provost of being “out of touch” by spending £40,000 on office refurbishments.
Stirling’s opposition SNP group have branded the cost “unjustifiable” given the ongoing cost of living crisis facing Stirling residents.
However, the council’s new leader - Labour’s Chris Kane - has crtiticised them for “playing games”, adding that he is only moving office because former SNP leader Scott Farmer’s office had been “too big for one person”.
Councillors Douglas Dodds and Chris Kane were elected to their respective roles of Provost and council leader at a heated meeting last Thursday with saw Tory councillors back a move by the six-member Labour group to form a minority administration.
The SNP group claimed this week, however, that the office plans were part of a Labour/Tory cooperation “deal” and would see the council leader move into the office currently occupied by the Provost and new space found and furnished for the Provost in turn.
SNP group leader Councillor Scott Farmer said: “We’re not even one week into this Tory/Labour arrangement, and already their priorities are out of alignment with the needs of our residents.
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“Spending upwards of £40,000 on an office move to suit the egos of the Provost and council leader is unjustifiable, especially as our residents and businesses face a spiralling cost of living crisis.
“We have people unable to put food on the table, and the new Tory Provost is wasting money on new furniture and fittings. Labour supporters will rightfully question why their electoral support has been hijacked by their elected Labour councillors to vote the Tories into office. I suspect this won’t be the last scandal for this Better Together reunion act; but residents can be rest assured, the SNP will stand fast and hold this coalition to account.”
Council Leader Chris Kane said, however: “Oh Dear Lord, it’s like dealing with unruly children.
“After every election, offices are assigned based on group numbers and positions held.
“This time, the SNP, Conservative and Labour Groups are all on the move.
“The Provost is staying put.
“I’m moving into a smaller office because Councillor Farmer’s former office was too big for one person. All the furniture in my office has come from Scott Farmer’s former office – nothing new has been purchased.
“The SNP need to stop playing games and get around a table for a serious conversation with this Labour administration on how we can help Stirling’s citizens and provide decent, reliable public services.”
