SNP blast administration over classroom assistants
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NATIONALIST councillors have slammed the local authority’s ruling administration for not discussing the threatened classroom assistant posts at a public meeting this week.
SNP leader, councillor Drew Hendry, blasted the Independent/Lib-Dem/Labour coalition for its reluctance to talk about the 344 jobs that were placed in doubt as part of proposed cost cutting measures.
He voiced his dismay because earlier this week Independent councillors had suggested some of the £6.8 million underspend on last year’s Highland Council budget should be used to extend the review, allowing it to be considered in a holistic way, focussing on the needs of primary school pupils rather than financial implications.
Councillor Hendry pressed Independent councillor Carolyn Wilson for her views on the idea at the resources committee she chaired on Wednesday.
"I have been told that it is not competent to talk about classroom assistants here," she told the chamber.
Councillor Hendry was critical of the stance afterwards.
"It was disrespectful, hypocritical and ludicrous," he said.
"The Independents on the council had gone to great lengths to put out information saying they could do this but then there is an Independent chairwoman of the resources committee refusing to speak about it.
"There are conflicting messages coming out from the administration and frankly it’s not good enough."
SNP colleague councillor Pauline Munro was appalled by the administration’s refusal to discuss the matter, to get clarification for staff.
Original plans to axe all 344 classroom assistants and save £1.5 million caused an outcry when initially unveiled as part of proposed budget cuts.
In an 11th hour U-turn a cross-party working group — which the opposition SNP group refused to join — was established to review primary education.
It will report its findings to full council on 23rd June.
* More in Friday’s Courier.
