East Lothian Conservatives unveil Budget proposals to protect frontline services and invest in local communities
East Lothian Conservatives say their proposals ahead of next weeks Budget meeting are “fully focused” on protecting frontline services and investing in local communities.
Councillor George McGuire has highlighted the importance of addressing the “top priorities” of the people of East Lothian and has outlined the key areas the Conservative group have focused on.
They include protecting frontline services such as protecting libraries from closure and preventing the withdrawal of police from the streets.
The Conservatives are also opposed to SNP plans to impose a £5 daily charge at coastal car parks as well as plans to close both Macmerry and North Berwick recycling centres.
Through investment in education, the East Lothian Conservatives are committed to allocating £1.25 million over the next five years to enhance literacy and numeracy skills among children in early and first levels.
The group say “urgent action” is needed after statistics showed a third of East Lothian’s P4s can’t read to the appropriate level and 28% of P4s maths skills are below target.
Recognising that the budget position is challenging, the local Conservatives would save £400,000 over the next two years by reducing the number of managers in John Muir House.
They would also abandon the flood protection scheme, where costs have “spiralled out of control” and look to shut down bureaucratic area partnerships allowing for £50,000 to be redirected towards supporting community councils. Through engagement with Community Councils the conservative group would like to see additional resources and powers devolved to these important community groups.
Additionally, the Conservatives would invest in the reopening of the Loch Centre in Tranent and in funding to repair the damaged to North Berwick Harbour.
Unlike other parties the Conservatives would invest an additional £5.5 million in the roads budget over the next five years whilst still reducing the amount the council would borrow by more than £6 million.
Councillor McGuire has confirmed the group will support a freeze in council tax for the coming year but accepts that difficult choices remain regarding Council Tax in the coming years unless the Scottish Government give East Lothian a fair deal. Any additional non-ringfenced funds must be used to lower reserves and council tax in future years.
Finally, the group will continue to push for a fair funding settlement for East Lothian from council umbrella body COSLA and will consider leaving the body if positive changes at COSLA are not possible to achieve.
Councillor George McGuire commented: “The East Lothian Conservatives' priorities lie with the people of East Lothian.
“From supporting the education of our young people, to aiding local businesses, fixing potholes, to cutting back on needless bureaucratic structures and ensuring essential services are protected from Labour cuts.”
“The East Lothian Conservatives have fully focused on those top priorities of the people we represent as we unveil our budget proposals. Urgent action is needed in a whole host of areas, and I believe our plans demonstrate our dedication to the wellbeing and prosperity of our communities.”
Speaking in support of the East Lothian Conservative Councillor Craig Hoy MSP said; “The Scottish Conservatives’ alternative proposals balance the need to be prudent with the need to overcome the intense financial constraints imposed on East Lothian Council by the SNP Government. These budget proposals preserve key services such as local refuse facilities, address the need for underlying efficiencies in the operation of council staffing and ensure the public are not forced to pay more as a result of year after year of under-funding by the Scottish Government.
“This provides a solution to many of the budget challenges without adopting the short-sighted and misplaced proposals of the Labour administration. For too long the Labour run council has side-stepped the question of efficiencies while cutting back on core service provision.”
