Talks save city coalition from bust-up
The coalition running the Capital has been saved from the brink of collapse after the two warring political groups agreed to continue to work together.
Leaders of the Liberal Democrat group said last month that their partnership with the SNP may have reached “the end of the road” after a bust-up over the nationalists speaking out publicly against plans to outsource council services.
But a formal “conflict resolution” meeting between senior figures from the two groups has resulted in them patching up their differences and agreeing to continue together.
A formal statement issued to members of the two groups after the meeting set down a series of new rules on the way they operate.
The dispute centred around the SNP group wanting to back an in-house alternative to the Lib Dem option of outsourcing a series of “environmental services” – including street cleaning and refuse collection.
The SNP then agreed to a Lib Dem request to delay a final decision for four weeks but Cllr Cardownie still insisted that “the SNP position is that we prefer the terms of the public sector comparator”.
In today’s statement, Cllr Dawe said her group had “accepted Cllr Cardownie’s assurances that it had not been his intention to embarrass the Liberal Democrat Group by his comments” and also accepted his claim that his comments had been “misconstrued”.
She said that, with local elections coming up in May, there would be an increase in the number of coalition co-ordination meetings to discuss “strategy, process and policy”.
It is understood that some Lib Dem councillors had claimed the SNP group had shared its position on privatisation with the Evening News before sharing it with their coalition partners. In the statement, Cllr Dawe said the groups had agreed “there would not be “off-the-record” or other briefings to the press, stating positions prior to joint coalition discussions.
And she confirmed that the Liberal Democrat/SNP coalition “remains in place”.
The crunch talks featured three Lib Dem councillors – Cllr Dawe, Robert Aldridge and Phil Wheeler – and two SNP councillors – Cllr Cardownie and Rob Munn.
It remains unclear whether the SNP will continue to back the in-house alternative, which would effectively kill off the proposals to outsource the services to Enterprise.
Councillor Andrew Burns, leader of the Labour group on the city council, said: “I think there is very serious reputational damage to the council every time this happens, and it happens frequently.
“I am disinterested in the dying days of a failing administration and the Labour group is entirely focused on putting together positive ideas for the city going forward.”
Cllr Cardownie was not available to comment.
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Comments
There are 12 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
AlbertB
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 08:09 PMThe SNP are quite within their rights to back the public sector comparator bid which would save millions and keep more jobs. That’s democracy and they at least waited until the report was available before making up their minds. The Lib Dems pledged their vote to the outsourcing before they knew the figures. Labour says it is in favour of co-ops but is not suggesting an environment services one. With the bin dispute finished and the unions offering to work with the council the PSC is looking good
Lord HawHaw
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 11:36 AMFudge anyone ? nice fresh fudge straight from the council chambers. Stevie has proved he is a man of the people, next he will vote for Privitisation because he is worried about the poor city being draged through the courts. Get you fresh fudge here, nice and hot and untouched by councillors dirty hands...
doojas
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 06:46 PMComment removed by moderator
Huntley & Palmist, The Biscuit Mystic
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 04:53 PMCouncillor Andrew Burns said "I am disinterested in the dying days of a failing administration…" Come on, man, buy a dictionary! You are anything but DISinterested. You may be UNinterested (though I very much doubt it) but that is a separate matter.
keyser soze
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 04:00 PMCllr Cardownie was not available for comment. Typical of the devious ,spineless idiot he is. Interesting phrase used " the end of the road". How appropriate for the every Lib.Dem.councillor and many SNP councillors,incl.Cardownie. Where do the SNP get this idea that the majority of the public want to retain the council's in house cleansing dept. I can say that ,with one exception, that friends,neighbours and bar staff, every one wants this entire dept privatised,
edinburgh100
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 02:23 PM#5 Cant trust the Lib Dems, so you can trust the SNP ?. Remember the SNP who have been in coalition with the Liob Dems for the past few years ?. The SNP who were voted in on an anti tram manefesto then voted for the trams. The SNP who performed one of the biggest U Turns in Edinburgh's political history. The SNP who constantly voted against or abstained from votes about the tram only to turn there noses up at those who elected them and eventually vote in favor of the trams ?. The SNP who were fully involved in the process of privatising the bloated services in Edinburgh only at the last minute to yet again perform a U Turn. The SNP who were about to plit with there coaltion partners only yet again to perform a U turn. Yes you can trust the SNP NOTNOTNOT
AULD REEKY
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 02:15 PMThis LibDemSNP Council have proven to be totally incompetent and one of the worst in modern times - The LibDems and their leader "Oor Jenny" being absolutely "clueless" in running the Administration and the SNP and their leader "StevieBoy" - (the"poodle" without balls) takes no responsibility for anything the Administration does!! but as they don't appear to go willingly - then it gives the Electorate of Edinburgh the opportunity to "kick both of theirs and their colleagues axses out of office next May - and other members of the opposition parties should be well aware what may well happen to them also!!!
johnyyyy50
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 01:42 PMThe SNP must be strong on there decisions on what is right we do Not need the lib dems as they have done nothing for scotland, We must to stop any private services running council jobs as in the Long road the tax payers will pay much much more like everything Else that has gone private, a private service just puts money into The bank accounts off the private company which is wrong as it Should go back into improving edinburgh council services as a Whole. and not profit for bosses, Do not trust the lib dems or the cons they are not right for the uk,
Xena - Warrior Princess
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 01:10 PMPity, we need a new council now. If they are serious about outsourcing council services put it in their manifesto next year and the public will have their say.
Top Floor
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 12:52 PMHalleluyah ! The coalition is saved !
The Genuine Mario Antionette
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 12:39 PMThe LibDums haven't got the bottle to go it alone & Carcowardie knows this.
edinburgh100
Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 12:35 PMHow low will these politicians go to keep them in power until May. "accepted his claim that his comments had been “misconstrued”. Thats a laugh how can the SNP statement of giving the rubbish department another chance be misconstrued ?. They basically rubbished any idea of privatisation of services. There was no misunderstaning etc. But its not the first time Carcowrdie and his rabid nationalists have U turned on statements is it
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