Councillors in North Ayrshire need to stop rowing about spending cuts and start halting them, according to a leading trade union representing local government workers.
GMB Scotland warned the risk to frontline services in the area is grave and urged politicians to stop blaming each other for the financial crisis and work to ease the impact of cuts.
The union, one of the biggest in local government, spoke out after a special council meeting was told a £28.5m budget shortfall over the next three years threatened cuts to teacher numbers and leisure and library services.
The heated meeting heard school crossing patrols are also at risk while rising charges for services are also likely with potential £50 charges for garden waste collection and town centre parking fees under discussion.
The ruling SNP group was accused of calling the special meeting of the council in a bid to “spread the blame” for the looming cuts.
However, Howard Wilkin, GMB Scotland organiser in North Ayrshire Council, said councillors squabbling over responsibility for the financial blackhole did nothing to address the crisis.
He said: “The people of North Ayrshire who rely on these services and our members who deliver them, deserve to know councillors are absolutely focused on protecting communities.
“This spending shortfall is a clear risk to the services our towns and villages are built on and the priority for our politicians must be easing that risk, not trying to pass the buck.
“Our members deliver these services every day and know their importance better than anyone.
“They are living and working with increasing uncertainty and worry as so many facilities and services come under threat.
“They do not want to see councillors pointing fingers at each other, they want to see them making plans to protect these services and the communities relying on them.
“It is not a time for blame, it is a time for action.”
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