The transfer of services for highway maintenance from one council department to another has caused consternation amongst Labour councillors after agreement was delayed beyond the meeting where it was set to be agreed. A preliminary agreement was reached to transfer the service from the council's City Strategy directorate to Neighbourhood Services in May, but the move has now been blocked by Conservative and Lib Dem councillors.

Labour leader Coun. David Scott said the delay makes no sense:

"The reason seems to be because the Director of Neighbourhood Services is leaving and the council is worried whether his replacement can take on the responsibility. I'm concerned that Coun. Gillies and Coun. Waller have such little faith in the council's ability to appoint a Director that can deal with such responsibilities. The salary is not insignificant and I would expect any new Director to be able to take on the task."

"If we made the right strategic decision in May, as I believe we did then we should make those changes. There is three months before the Director leaves and he has assured the committee that his leaving will have no affect."

"However, I'm also concerned that this will affect staff morale while the uncertainty continues. This has been agreed and now because of a Director leaving, this council engineers itself yet another way to dither and delay. The savings that would have been realised are thrown into jeopardy while the Conservatives and Lib Dems delay once again, creating further waste".

"The trouble is it is always the council taxpayer that picks up the bill. Coun Waller recently said he wanted this to be a ‘can do' council. I cannot see any evidence of it since he became leader. Perhaps his council should be awarded special status for its ability to delay decision-making".