DUNFERMLINE receives almost £400,000 less in funding for its parks, streets and open spaces than Kirkcaldy.

James Calder, councillor for Dunfermline South, questioned the disparity at the last full Fife Council meeting, concerned that favouritism was being shown despite the two towns being roughly the same size.

However, Councillor Ross Vettraino, spokesperson for environment, protective services and community safety, responded by saying “every part of Fife gets the funding it needs”.

Cllr Calder said: “After being questioned by some of my constituents, I have looked into the funding that each of the areas receives and was shocked to see Dunfermline is receiving almost £400,000 less than Kirkcaldy this year despite both being roughly the same population.

"As a result, I raised this as a question at the most recent meeting of Fife Council.

“While I didn’t receive the answer that I hoped for – that the SNP/Labour administration would look to increase Dunfermline’s funding to equalise this service, I am pleased that Cllr Vettraino has offered to meet me to discuss my concerns regarding this.

“Hopefully, we can have a positive discussion to see what can be done to improve funding for this service locally after many years of damaging cuts, which many people are certainly noticing now in our green areas.”

Fife Council is currently reviewing its parks, streets and open spaces department but any budgets are approved by the administration.

Cllr Vettraino said: “Cllr Calder thinks budgets should be proportional to the respective populations but you simply cannot fund council services in that manner.

“Ground maintenance is worked out by the needs of the land. It may be that Cllr Calder is advocating the application of the same rationale across Fife.

“Imagine if you applied that theory to North East Fife where there is a much smaller population but a huge network of roads?

“Roads would never get fixed!

“Every part of Fife gets the funding it needs, so if Dunfermline gets less it’s because it needs less.”

At the full council meeting, Cllr Vettraino said that it would be irresponsible to finance the services provided by the parks, streets and open spaces resource proportional to population because provision must have regard to the ground maintenance that is needed.

Therefore, he could not say the council would act to “equalise” service provision between the towns but was committed to seeing Dunfermline and every other area in Fife receive its fair share of revenue for the delivery of services.

City of Dunfermline area committee convener, Councillor Helen Law, agreed and said: “Fife Council budgets have to continually be assessed but it is my understanding that the funding Dunfermline receives is right.

“It might appear to be a discrepancy but it has to be fair. I asked the same question as Cllr Calder some time ago.

“Dunfermline is very lucky to have a lot of green space and in spite of times of austerity I think the staff provide a good service.”