Conservative Councillors in North Lanarkshire have accused Labour and SNP members of hypocrisy for proposing to spend £75,000 a year on political researchers.
Councillor Allan Stubbs, chairman of the Member Services Working Group Committee agreed that this recommendation should be brought to a future Policy and Resources Committee.
But Conservative Councillors have branded the proposal completely unacceptable and have vowed to fight the plans.
This shocking revelation comes after North Lanarkshire Council released a summary of Officers Savings Proposals that Political Groups will need to consider as they put together their budget.
With the Council having to save almost £27m, the Conservatives say the £75,000 would be better spent on front line services.
Conservative Group Leader, Councillor Meghan Gallacher said:
“I can’t believe that Labour and SNP members think spending this amount of taxpayer's money to make their lives easier is appropriate. In the face of Local Government budget cuts from the Scottish Government, we need to concentrate on protecting front line services like education and social care.
"North Lanarkshire residents shouldn’t be footing the bill for political researchers. My Conservative colleagues and I don’t need one to do our jobs and if Labour & SNP councillors are finding this difficult, it should be raised within their own Political Party.
"The Labour and SNP members of the Policy and Resource Committee should see sense and join us in rejecting this self-serving proposal.”
Conservative Business Manager, Councillor Sandy Watson added:
“It seems strange that long serving Councillors have suddenly discovered they need the support of a paid researcher when every member of the newly elected Conservative Group is fully capable.”
“At a time of budget cuts, forced on us by the SNP Government, this proposal seems an extravagant waste.”