Anger as budget is debated
The SNP/Liberal Democrat ruling group on East Lothian Council has been accused of “raiding” the council housing account to “bail” themselves out in the budget which was set for the next three years on Tuesday.
The comment was made by Councillor Norman Hampshire, the Labour group’s housing spokesman, who added: “This is despite the fact that they have seen their funding increase since 2007 by £43 million and they have failed to find any alternative funding streams.”
Councillor Ludovic Broun-Lindsay, Conservative, branded the transfer of nearly £1 million over five years from the housing revenue account to general services as “disgraceful,” warning that that it was “unsustainable.” “The well will run dry,” he said.
Councillor Broun-Lindsay added: “You really cannot smash and grab almost £1 million a year, which comes to £5 million, from the housing revenue account budget without consequences.”
In a heated political debate lasting around two hours, when angry and personal exchanges resounded around the Council Chamber in Haddington, a rent rise of 4.3 per cent was agreed after a vote. A council tax freeze had already been approved, with the Band D level remaining at £1,117.62.
Councillor Stuart Currie, SNP, stated that the county still had the second lowest rents in Scotland.
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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