Danyel VanReenen, Local Democracy Reporter, on the outcome of Fife Council's budget meeting.
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00:00 The day is won for Labour and its Lib Dem Tory colleagues.
00:07 The S&P proposals were defeated 39 to 30 today in five council chambers.
00:12 In result, we've got a freeze on council tax, but fees and charges for things like
00:16 funerals and crematoriums will see up to 5% increases.
00:21 Rent for council tenants will go up by 5%.
00:24 We've also got approximately £20 million worth of investments in services and projects.
00:29 That covers road repairs, money to hire educational psychologists to curb violence and aggression
00:34 in schools, money to maintain subsidised bus routes in Mid Fife, and reinstatement of street
00:40 cleansing and ground maintenance staff.
00:42 So that was what, about four, four and a half hours of debate.
00:45 Can you just walk us through, maybe explain what we just saw, what we just heard, what
00:49 just happened?
00:50 Well this is democracy in action.
00:54 I think we had a very full debate about the council finances and how we support the services
01:02 that we deliver that are very, very important to people in their everyday lives.
01:07 So although there is a bit of knock about politics in it, the subject matter is very
01:14 serious and I think everyone in the chamber, whatever political colour, takes the process
01:21 seriously.
01:22 Great, how are you feeling after, are you happy that things kind of went your guys way
01:26 in the end?
01:28 I'm obviously pleased that our motion's passed.
01:32 It is a long day, but I think it puts Fife on a sensible financial footing, protects
01:41 services and makes a lot of investment in the things that we need to see supported going
01:51 forward.
01:52 And here's what SNP group leader David Alexander had to say.
01:57 What we saw as usual, it's all the parties against the SNP.
02:02 It doesn't matter if we make the best arguments, it doesn't matter if we are representing the
02:08 people out there when it comes to the cost of living crisis, and that's been totally
02:12 ignored continually.
02:13 There was absolutely no need for a 5% rent increase there.
02:17 It could have been four.
02:19 Easy, we are doing an upgrade to the capital plan within a few weeks.
02:24 5% as well in terms of other charges, that could easily have been taken out.
02:30 £755,000, easy, but they just won't do it.
02:34 And it's hurting the people of Fife.
02:37 Now I know that there were some accusations being thrown around, you kind of argued about
02:41 it.
02:42 Can you tell me a little bit more about the collaboration efforts that you did make, the
02:45 meetings that you did have with the administration?
02:47 Yes, Craig and I went to speak to Labour and we talked about the big things.
02:53 We all, we are pretty much in agreement, 95% of the time, we know where the problems are.
03:00 What Labour will never accept is a 5% reduction, elimination of these charges.
03:05 They were never going to, and they never will.
03:08 Last year it was 5% rent, 5% council tax and 5% on these charges, when in fact they weren't
03:15 needed because it was covered by the increase in council tax.
03:19 This is Danielle Van Reenen, Fife's local democracy reporter.
03:22 You can read more about the budget session online and in print this week.
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