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Why have we spent £10,000 on nuclear group? asks councillor

Siew Peng Lee • Published 2 Dec 2011 08:30 Print Comments 10 Comments

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A WEST FIFE councillor has expressed concerns over Fife's continued affiliation of the Nuclear Free Local Authorities (NFLA), saying the money paid in fees could have been better spent to benefit Fifers.

Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay Labour councillor Bob Eadie (pictured with wife Helen) claims Fife Council has spent around £10,000 towards the NFLA over the last three years - expenses he says that cannot continue in the current economic climate.

The NFLA bills itself as the 'local government voice on nuclear issues' and encourages local authorities to adopt anti-nuclear policies.

Its aims are to increase local accountability over national nuclear policy, identify the impact of these policies on local communities and work to minimise nuclear hazards and improve public safety.

However, Mr Eadie called it "a junket for councillors", claiming affiliation fees came to £2561 annually, with a further £1897 claimed by Fife's NFLA representative councillor Brian Goodall in expenses related to NFLA activities between 2009-2011.

He continued, "I took the trouble to find out what the costs were and I was surprised it was more than I thought.

"When I think about what any council could do with £10,000 it gets right up my nose.

"Fife has been a member for a long, long time and to be fair, the affiliation started under Labour.

"But times have changed and given the current climate when we're faced with unprecedented cuts in public services this has to be looked at.

"It's about providing value and the benefit for the people of Fife is highly dubious.

"There are a lot of things you could do with £10,000.

"People are saying the door of their bathroom's falling off, or the central heating's broken, and the council's not fixing it.

"I'm not calling for any particular way of spending it but it is a saving.

"Rather than sacking some school attendant or replacing lollipop ladies, let's make some savings in that area instead."

Mr Eadie said Fifers "should be aware how our money is being spent" and is concerned the issue "will be swept under the carpet".

The police, fire and safety committee had voted 10 to four in support of Mr Eadie's motion to discontinue affiliation in June.

But in September, the committee was advised under a standing order that new information was now available on the subscription fee and that the matter be reconsidered.

This time, councillors voted eight to five to continue the affiliation.

Asked if affiliation was relevant given the ongoing consultation over the nuclear subs at Rosyth, Mr Eadie said, "The NFLA is not a body that has a lot of scientific expertise.

"When we want advice, we go to organisations like Sepa."

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