North Lanarkshire councillors have voted against a proposal to investigate ways to reduce the council’s spending on consultants and legal advisors. The motion, put forward by Progressive Change North Lanarkshire councillor Gerry Brennan from Motherwell North, suggested establishing a working group to explore decreasing reliance on external consultants in favour of internal solutions.
Councillor Brennan highlighted the substantial amount of money spent by the council on consultant fees and legal advice over the past five years, amounting to nearly £17 million. He expressed concerns about the council’s financial priorities, especially considering requests from parents for changes to school transport policies, citing budget limitations as a hindrance.
In response to the motion, finance convener Councillor Andrew Duffy-Lawson from Labour, also representing Motherwell North, opposed the idea of reducing access to external consultants and legal advisors. He argued that these professionals play a vital role in the council’s decision-making processes, providing specialist skills and expertise that the council’s officers may not always possess.
Councillor Duffy-Lawson noted that limiting access to consultants could impede the council’s ability to navigate the evolving landscape of local government effectively. He highlighted the potential negative implications, including delays in essential projects such as school and housing construction or repairs. The finance convener clarified that the actual spending on consultants over five years was around £13.5 million, lower than initially claimed by Councillor Brennan.
Ultimately, the majority of councillors sided with the administration, resulting in a vote of 63 to eight in favour of the amendment proposed by Councillor Duffy-Lawson. The decision underscores the importance of external expertise in supporting the council’s operations and strategic decisions, despite calls for greater reliance on internal resources.
The debate within North Lanarkshire Council reflects ongoing discussions about the balance between utilising external consultants and fostering internal capabilities within public institutions. It also highlights the challenges faced by local authorities in managing budgets while meeting the diverse needs of their communities. The outcome of this vote signifies a commitment to maintaining access to expert advice and guidance to ensure effective governance and service delivery in North Lanarkshire.