By VIVIENNE NICOLL

A SPECIAL meeting will be held next month following the SNP group on East Dunbartonshire council dramatically quitting as the administration.

The decision has resulted in claims from the Conservative and Lib Dem opposition groups that the Nationalists have “run away” rather than implement cuts in the council budget next year.

The seven strong SNP administration resigned when the Tories and Lib Dems, who each have six councillors, voted down their plans for the council’s voluntary severance arrangements.

Nationalist councillors had wanted to overturn a council decision made last month which would have impacted on deals available to staff.

Former council leader Gordon Low said in a letter to council chief executive Gerry Cornes: “With a majority of 12 out of 22 councillors, the two main opposition groups have always had it in their own hands to choose how to exercise that majority.

“Unfortunately, while not prepared to take on the responsibility of administration in May, they have nonetheless chosen to work hand in glove acting as a coalition in all but name to obstruct the work of the council and impose their own agenda.”

But the opposition groups have hit back with Lib Dem leader Vaughan Moody branding the SNP “Scardey-Nats” and accusing them of “political cowardice”.

He said: “In 40 years, I have never seen an administration simply quit rather than be voted out of office.

"They have just walked out when the going was about to get tough, with their Holyrood masters in the Scottish Government yet again having given East Dunbartonshire a Scrooge-like budget settlement which could lead to cuts of up to £20million.

“The SNP’s grandstanding on the issue of redundancy packages is simply political posturing.

“East Dunbartonshire currently offers the best packages in Scotland but that is unsustainable and the plans voted through by a majority of the council simply brings it down to around the average.”

Tory group leader Andrew Polson said he is prepared to put himself forward as new council leader at the special meeting to form a new administration on January 11.

And he revealed he would be willing to work with the Lib Dems in the best interests of the people of East Dunbartonshire.

Mr Polson said: “With four days to go to Christmas, the SNP left East Dunbartonshire residents in absolute chaos by running away.

“We believe they have stood down because they are incapable of taking the necessary decisions, especially with the budget coming up.

“We will be stepping up to the plate and would be prepared to work with anyone in the interests of the people of East Dunbartonshire.

“As leader of the Conservative group I would be willing to become leader of the council.”