Aberdeenshire Council’s ruling administration was dealt a blow last night after one of the coalition parties quit.
Labour’s two councillors – Alison Evison and Raymond Christie – have walked away from the Aberdeenshire Alliance, which is now made up of the 13 Tories, 11 Liberal Democrats and 11 independent councillors.
It means the administration has just two more seats than the opposition, with the chambers split 35-33.
Last night the Labour group – who joined the coalition just months after the 2012 election – said they quit because they could not be associated with the “uncaring attitudes” of a Tory-led administration.
Group leader Mrs Evison said: “We are no longer able to deliver our agenda of social justice and equality within an alliance following a Tory agenda. It is more important than ever to focus on the needs of people and communities across Aberdeenshire.
“People here are the most likely in Scotland to have their benefits withdrawn. Child poverty sits at 14% in Aberdeenshire after housing costs. Affordable housing for public sector workers is in short supply. Jobs in the oil and gas industry are being lost.
“We need a far more progressive approach to supporting residents in Aberdeenshire.”
Mrs Evison also suggested that a recent move to cut the discretionary housing payments to 50% of the amount required, and delays to the much-needed Hillside Primary School at Portlethen – due to a dispute about access to the site – had played a part in the group’s decision.
She added: “We cannot be associated with such uncaring attitudes.”
Council leader Jim Gifford said last night he was disappointed that they had chosen to leave as they had played a “constructive” and “valuable” role.
However, he described their reasons for departing as “nonsense” and insisted the administration was working to increase affordable housing across the north-east and that some things – such as the Hillside School delays – were “outwith their control”.
Mr Gifford added: “We are doing everything we can to cope with the downturn in the industry through the oil and gas taskforce. There may be limited evidence of that coming through, but it’s early days.
“I’m disappointed they think we are not doing anything to deal with these issues.”
Leader of SNP opposition group Hamish Vernal said: “It doesn’t come as a surprise that Aberdeenshire Council’s administration are having some difficulty in maintaining their numbers.
“We in the SNP have suspected for some time there was some unease within the council group.
“Clearly the issues are particular to the political groups within the administration.”