Submitting member has a registered interest.
That the Parliament notes that the Scottish Trades Union Council (STUC) is supporting Scotland-wide local days of action to oppose service and jobs cuts, including a rally at Burns' Statue at Albert Square in Dundee on 18 November 2023 at noon; acknowledges the STUC’s call for the replacement of council tax and for the introduction of fair property and wealth taxes to fund local services; expresses concern at reports that £157 million has been stripped from Dundee's economy by local government cuts over the last 15 years; understands that a further £19.5 million will be taken from Dundee City Council's budget in February 2024, and that local trade unions fear for jobs and services as a result; further understands that threatened services include Kirkton Community Centre, The Hub Library and Arthurstone Library, the bus service to Woodside, as well as civic amenity sites and recycling centres; believes that Dundee City Council's walk-in, face-to-face services at Dundee House and Lochee Housing Office have closed, particularly impacting older people and disabled people; understands that the new East End School Campus will be without a swimming pool, when such provision for children in this area of the city has already been identified as of critical importance; considers that financial support to local food larders across the city is in danger once again, and believes that this, on top of the cost of living crisis and hikes in food, gas and electricity prices, is unsustainable.
Supported by:
Maggie Chapman (Registered interest)
, Foysol Choudhury (Registered interest)
, Pam Duncan-Glancy (Registered interest)
, Monica Lennon (Registered interest)
, Richard Leonard (Registered interest)
, Carol Mochan, Mark Ruskell, Colin Smyth, Paul Sweeney (Registered interest)