Spending clash
THE POLITICAL parties in East Dunbartonshire clashed this week over how to spend an extra £2.2 million of funds available for front-line services.
The Liberal Democrat/Conservative administration has announced proposals to reinvest more than 500,000 into schools, with additional funds set aside for road repairs.
But members of the Labour Group have called for extra money to be ploughed into services for the disabled and facilities for young people.
Council Leader Keith Moody said that the authority s spending plan reflects the key priorities of local people.
He said: We remain committed to driving up standards in education, and have taken every opportunity to allocate resources to improve the environment in which teachers and pupils work.
According to Councillor Moody, the extra funds will mean that new games halls at Bishopbriggs High School and Turnbull Academy will be completed ahead of schedule. Additional cash will also be used to carry out upgrades on fire alarm and emergency lighting systems in school buildings.
The administration also revealed plans to invest in improving the way the Council delivers services to customers, with an additional 400,000 over the next three years for staff equipment and training.
Depute Leader, John Morrision, said: Increasingly organisations are having to change how they communicate with customers and we find ourselves facing the challenge of modernising how we operate. We must ensure that customers can access services in the way they find most beneficial to them.
BENEFIT
Labour Leader Rhondda Geekie said she was extremely disappointed by the adminstration s decision to spend only 40,000 on social work services, and proposed instead an extra 130,000 on disabled adaptations.
The group also outlined proposals to spend 62,000 on upgrading playgrounds and creating a much called for skateboard park.
Councillor Geekie said: The amendment I have suggested will be to the benefit of all in East Dunbartonshire and will improve services which affect young and old throughout all our communities. I hope that at the council meeting later this month they will consider their plans again and realise the error of their ways.
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
