Dundee Liberal Democrats oppose £85 000 expenditure on council meetings

Dundee’s Liberal Democrat councillors have slammed proposals to spend £85 000 of public money – with an on-going annual cost on top – on hybrid equipment to run council committee meetings as a mix of in-line and in-person, saying there are better things to spend public money on.

The proposal from the SNP administration goes before the council’s Policy and Resources Committee next Monday and LibDem councillors will oppose the expenditure.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Fraser Macpherson said :

“Council officers have said that a complete return to face-to-face meetings would cause practical difficulties and would end the ability to record and broadcast meetings for the public.”

“We feel the on-line approach has worked reasonably well over the past three years and it allows meetings to be recorded and broadcast which is good for transparency and public scrutiny.”

“The question is – is it reasonable to spend £85 000 on council meetings when services are being cut?  We say no it isn’t and we should spend all public money on vital front-line services.”

The Liberal Democrat Group will therefore be submitting an amendment to the report to axe the £85 000 hybrid meetings proposal.

His group colleague Broughty Ferry councillor Craig Duncan added :

“To be frank, if there’s £85 000 available, our priority would be reversing or part reversing the loss of supported bus services.  The SNP is axing these vital bus services including the 202, 204, 206 and 236 buses next April along with the sheltered shopping bus service and the ‘Out and About’ service – services that largely benefit older citizens.”

“Whilst the initial cost of the hybrid equipment is capital expenditure, the running costs of it at £6 000 every year will be revenue costs which would be better spent on bus services for older people.

“The public will we think query the priorities of the council if funding for hybrid meetings is prioritised over vital services.”

The LibDems added that if councillors do not return to the chamber, it is appreciated that that members of the public with no IT access cannot view meetings live in the public gallery. They suggested that in this case the public could access the meeting at a council office or library with staff support to view an on-line Teams meeting.