Council fights confidence motion

It is expected the meeting will take place on 13 March

The SNP group on Stirling Council is tabling a motion of no confidence in the ruling Labour/Liberal Democrat administration.

The SNP councillors claim not enough progress has been made since May's election and they should take over.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats said they had delivered for the people of Stirling and would continue to do so.

After May's elections there were eight Labour councillors, seven SNP, four Conservatives and three Lib Dems.

It was expected the meeting to discuss the motion of no confidence would be held on 13 March.

SNP group leader Councillor Graham Houston said: "Last week's budget was the final straw: a gimmick tax cut and the same old pledges they've been making year after year and never delivered.

"It's time for change in Stirling Council, and the SNP group are prepared to rise to this challenge and provide the fresh ideas and leadership this council presently lacks.

"We have a vision for more effective governance, and the delivery of the basic services that people expect: well-maintained roads and streetscapes; properly cut and lifted grass; improved refuse collection; and new social housing to address the long-term neglect.

If the SNP believes that we are a failed administration I'd like to know on what grounds they make their claim Graham Reed Liberal Democrat group leader

"Therefore, we will table a motion of no confidence in the Labour / Liberal administration, and seek the support of Stirling councillors to form a new SNP administration."

Liberal Democrat group leader Graham Reed rejected the criticisms and said they had delivered for the people of the area.

"Waste services in Stirling are now some of the best exemplars in Scotland, we have joint highest recycling rates," he said.

"We've replaced all the senior schools, except one, which is now undergoing a major uplift and we put new funds into primary schools.

"We have put up a massive amount of money to address the issue of road improvements and structural layouts.

"If the SNP believes that we are a failed administration I'd like to know on what grounds they make their claim against the facts I've just mentioned."