A COUNCILLOR has resigned from the Argyll and Bute Council's ruling administration in the run up to the budget cuts.

Lomond North councillor George Freeman has stepped down from the Argyll, Lomond and the Island group (TALIG) and the council administration.

The independent member stepped down on Wednesday, February 3, citing issues with the budget process and difficulties in attending meetings.

Cllr Freeman said: “My first priority has always been to my constituents and those who elected me to represent them and that will not change.

“I am also aware that there are many issues within the proposed budget that are of concern to my constituents and by operating as an Independent councillor out with the political group system, will help to free me from the restrictions inevitably apply that apply to all political groups.

“Unfortunately, due to the massive cuts in funding to Argyll and Bute Council and other local authorities across Scotland by the Scottish Government, there are no easy decisions that can be taken by the council and it is inevitable that it will be the most vulnerable within our communities who will suffer the most from the cuts in service that the council will have to make."

In an email to administration members, he reminded members he had been having great difficulty in attending administration meetings "for some time now".

He stated this had mainly been down to a requirement for him to attend other meetings on behalf of the council, including meetings at the national park which normally clashed with administration meetings.

Cllr Freeman informed administration members that over recent months, it has been clear that he has had very little input to the budget process which has been "very frustrating" for him.

Outwith the specific administration discussions on the budget, he also felt that it had become more difficult for him at council meetings as he had not normally had the opportunity to discuss the reports that were due to come before the council with other administration members in advance of the council meetings.

He said he was also concerned that he received very little feedback from other members on issues of concern that he raised with them and started to feel that he was “just there to make up the numbers” and that was “not a good place to be”.

Cllr Freeman highlighted that he had been considering his position within the administration / TALIG for some time now and had reluctantly decided that the only option was for him to resign from both groups with immediate effect.

However, he has assured councillors he will continue to work constructively with all members across the council.