Opposition bids to take control of Argyll and Bute Council

Fifteen of the 36 members of Argyll and Bute Council have made a formal bid to take control of the authority.

The ‘Strategic Opposition Partnership’ has lodged 15 individual letters to requisition a special meeting of the council on April 4.

A statement yesterday said this followed  ‘the current administration’s disingenuous, smoke and mirrors U-turn on their reckless and completely unnecessary 10% council tax hike’.

It went on to accuse the ruling TALIG group – made up of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and some independents – of ‘petty politics’ and proposed ‘a new, more co-operative and transparent approach’.

Leader of the opposition, SNP Cllr Jim Lynch, said: “In this time of economic instability and a cost-of-living crisis, Argyll and Bute Council requires strong leadership and positive solutions, rather than the uncertainty and callous politicking we are witnessing at present.

“It is clear to us that public trust in the current administration is incredibly low.

“Questionable decision making over vital local issues such as Rothesay Pavilion, Luing Primary School, the Mull campus, and the ongoing council tax debacle has caused real damage in our communities, which we simply must work hard to repair.”

They have called for a meeting on April 4 at which provost Maurice Corry and council leader Robin Currie would be replaced, with all other political appointments being made three weeks later.

Cllr Currie responded by saying his time would be better spent serving local communities than responding to the statements.

“There are numerous claims which I could very clearly and firmly refute but I believe my time is better spent focusing on delivering for Argyll and Bute’s communities,” he said.

“However, one point for immediate clarification here is that our ability to consider a council tax freeze has depended on the very welcome £2.3m severe weather support that the Scottish Government has now confirmed for Argyll and Bute.

“We secured this funding after months of positive engagement between the council leadership and the Scottish Government. This positive engagement started immediately after the severe weather in October last year and has continued over the course of this year.

“The facts are clear. Without the overall improvement in our circumstances that the severe weather funding brings, the funding offered solely in relation to the freeze was not enough on its own to avoid serious threats to vital services and jobs both now and in future years, where we are facing very significant challenges indeed.”