SNP motion to challenge ABC’s road funding carve up

[Kintyre Forum News]

SNP motion to challenge Argyll and Bute Council’s road funding carve-up

Councillor John Semple Argyll and Bute SNP

Media release 07/12/2011 - For immediate release

A motion was passed today at the Mid-Argyll, Kintyre and Islands Area Committee of Argyll and Bute Council seeking to pave the way for fairer spending on council roads.

SNP councillors Anne Horn and John Semple launched the motion by challenging the current carve-up on road spending which is championed by the Spokesperson for Roads and Transportation, Councillor Duncan MacIntyre.

Speaking after the meeting Councillor John Semple Said, “I have been pressing councillor MacIntyre for months on this issue and he has been evasive in addressing it. The comprehensive and objective presentation we had from officers today on prioritising roads for repair locally, is in total contrast to the Transport Spokespersons preferred method of funding road repairs strategically. As a result priority needs are not being met for many roads in some parts of Argyll and Bute.”

“One only has to drive from Campbeltown to Oban to see the stark contrast, the worst sections of the A816 between Lochgilphead and Oban are significantly better, shorter and fewer than the worst sections of the A83 between Kennacraig and Campbeltown.”

The motion was carried, but not unanimously. Administration Councillors Rory Colville, Robin Currie, and Donnie MacMillan did not support it.

The motion read - The Mid-Argyll, Kintyre and Islay area committee instruct the head of Roads and Amenity services to produce a paper for the January Full Council detailing the strengths and weaknesses of applying an Asset Management based approach to the distribution of funding for capital roads projects.

Cllr Semple continued – “On two occasions in the recent past, I have given Councillor MacIntyre the opportunity to defend the current formula, he has given me no confidence by the responses he has provided, I hope I will get a more credible response from the Head of Roads and Amenity Services when he producers this paper and a sensible debate on the pros and cons can take place.”

“The current method, which predominantly consists of dividing the roads budget proportionately according to the number of square metres of council road in each area is not addressing the roads in greatest need of repair.”