Glasgow budget meeting - Labour councillors refuse to take part<br /><br />Just before the full council meeting, Labour council members left the city chambers after refusing to participate in determining the budget for Glasgow for the upcoming year.<br /><br />A "process which would wreak havoc on our city," the party claimed, was something they could not participate in.<br /><br />They were accused by the SNP of engaging in "childish political games" and behaving in debate club fashion.<br /><br />The administration's proposals include service cuts, more council taxes, and higher parking fees in an effort to close a £50 million financial gap in the city.<br /><br />But, contrary to what was implied in official documents that were released to the press last month, there are no mandatory layoffs.<br /><br />Also preserved was the £2 million Children's Christmas Food Program.<br /><br />Despite taking £6 million from the city's reserves, the council still needed to make savings of £31.2 million.<br /><br />A Band D family will now pay £1,499 in council tax, while a Band E household will now have to come up with £1,969.52 as a result of the 5% increase.<br /><br />The hours that museums and libraries are open will be reduced to some extent, and there will be additional entrance costs for the glasshouse at the Botanic Gardens.<br /><br />Over the 1140 free hours, nursery costs will rise, and schools' non-teacher resource allocations would be reduced by about 10%.
