Last night saw a lengthy series of City Council meetings at which :
* The Liberal Democrats made the case for the retention of local policing and fire and rescue services. Labour proposed single services for the whole of Scotland; the SNP proposed the merger of forces into two or three so-called 'regional' forces (for 'regional' read one-third of Scotland!)
My LibDem colleague Cllr Helen Dick and I were grateful for the support of the Conservative Group and of Depute Lord Provost Ian Borthwick. Following defeat of the Labour single service proposal, the LibDem motions were unfortunately defeated 15-6.
The LibDem motions were as follows :
POLICE SERVICES :
Dundee City Council, recognising the need for local accountability in the delivery of policing in Scotland and noting the strong concerns of delegates at the recent Scottish Police Federation Conference at proposals to replace Scotland's eight police forces with possibly just one, supports the option of retaining eight police forces and calls for greater collaboration between forces, particularly with regard to back-office functions, to obtain further efficiencies.
The City Council strongly opposes any move towards a national police force in Scotland. It recognises that Tayside Police and other forces across Scotland have already achieved significant efficiencies in recent years and recognises that further efficiencies can be achieved without the need to merge the 8 police forces. One police force in Scotland would see the loss of local autonomy, would centralise power and will give any government the political control of its chief constable.
Policy and Resources Committee therefore instructs the Chief Executive to respond to the consultation exercise making clear the City Council’s opposition to the merging of police forces in Scotland.
FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES :
Dundee City Council, recognising the need for local accountability in the delivery of fire and rescue services in Scotland and noting the opposition of Tayside Fire Board to a merger of fire and rescue services, supports the option of retaining eight fire and rescue services and calls for greater collaboration, particularly with regard to back-office functions, to obtain further efficiencies.
Policy & Resources Committee notes that the Tayside Fire Board is opposed to the merger proposal in the belief that Tayside Fire and Rescue has shown itself to be a lean and efficient outfit that would gain nothing and may lose a lot if it became part of a national service. The City Council therefore strongly opposes any move towards a national fire and rescue service across Scotland. It recognises that Tayside Fire & Rescue and other fire and rescue services across Scotland have already achieved significant efficiencies in recent years and recognises that further efficiencies can be achieved without the need to merge the 8 fire and rescue services. One fire and rescue service in Scotland would see the loss of local autonomy.
Policy and Resources Committee therefore instructs the Chief Executive to respond to the consultation exercise making clear the City Council’s opposition to the merging of fire and rescue services in Scotland.
* Last night, I also spoke about the Housing Department's Improvement Plan, queried the cost of demolishing former toilets at Peep O'Day Lane (an incredible £28,447), asked about recycling and spoke about progress on West End schools building.