Inverness Committee refuses to discuss ‘poverty alleviation’ measures in short Highland Council meeting
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
The richest and most powerful local area committee in Highland Council has voted to delay discussing poverty alleviation measures this winter in a move that one councillor labelled as “appalling” today.
In September, councillors agreed to hold a special meeting of the Inverness city committee to discuss the Inverness Common Good Fund and cash that could be used to help people through this winter.
But a motion from Inverness Provost Glynis Sinclair saw that one item was agreed and the rest were deferred. From start to finish, the committee meeting lasted just 17 minutes.
More cash for to support those in need
The outcome is that the one-off winter payment of £97 per household to support those most in need during the coldest months will be raised to £150 per eligible person but other measures will be discussed toward the end of the month.
In all, the discussion lasted just four minutes and 35 seconds and amounted to a motion and two councillors objecting to the move.
The rest of the time was taken up with a roll call or points of order from opposition councillors attempting to understand the implication of the delay to budgeting.
Provost Sinclair was backed by the SNP and Greens while opposition Lib Dems and Independents wanted the agenda to continue as planned.
Provost Sinclair said: “Given the current financial uncertainty, the rise in inflation and interest rates, the recent statement by the Scottish Government’s finance secretary John Swinney, the financial turmoil at Westminster as we await Jeremy Hunt’s budget statement on November 17, it is important that we move forward as well-informed as we can be under these unprecedented circumstances.
“Therefore, members, can we agree item two of today’s agenda to ensure that the winter payment of £150 is not delayed and defer all other items on today’s agenda to the Inverness city and area committee of November 24? And that forms the basis of a motion.”
‘This is not a good look for any committee’
Liberal Democrat group leader Alasdair Christie immediately objected, saying: “That is appalling. We set up today’s meeting to discuss poverty alleviation measures ahead of the city committee.
“Obviously the administration does not care about poverty alleviation measures, does not want scrutiny of the budget, does not want to look at different proposals.
“It doesn’t want to discuss whether it is worth spending £150,000 on five hours entertainment for the 2023/24 Hogmanay rather than provide three support workers who would help elderly people around the city, checking on their wellbeing.
“This is not a good look for any committee to actually adopt. It is not fair to actually spring this at a meeting.
“The increase of £150 is great but we are not going to discuss anything else, we will just kick it into the long grass for the next two weeks when we could actually start trying to formulate a debate and discussion and policy.
“And having that interchange of views that would actually help us come to a consensus that would benefit the people of this city, to benefit the vulnerable people of this city.”
'Have I missed something?'
Tory councillor Isabelle Mackenzie was so taken aback she asked: "Sorry, have I missed something?
"I just feel like I have walked in here expecting a full agenda at this special Inverness city committee and we are being told we are going to decide on an item and postpone the others until later in the month.
"We seem to have been postponing and rescheduling meetings left, right and centre and I feel we haven't achieved anything this session.
"So I am a little concerned that I come here and make a real effort to come over here [Highland Council Headquarters], not the Town House, we come here for meetings and now I feel we are being bamboozled.
"I am not happy about this. There has been no pre-briefing, so things are not coming through correctly – I am not happy with the way we are conducting this business."
