The civic head of an SNP-led council has defended a decision to offer an apology and commemorations for people accused of witchcraft and denied it is a distraction from the ‘day job’.

Rosemary Fraser, Lord Provost of Stirling Council, claimed that acknowledging injustices from the past is ‘serving our communities properly’.

It followed claims that the Nationalist councillors proposing the motion had ‘warped priorities’

Neil Benny, leader of the Conservative group on Stirling Council, had branded the move ‘absurd’ and said the authority should focus on filling potholes, tackling crime, building more houses and creating opportunities for children.

He also said that ‘the totally warped priorities of the SNP are quite breathtaking and this isn't about representing or serving your citizens but using your position to further your own hobby-horses’.

The motion was discussed during a meeting of the full council on Thursday.

Ms Fraser said: ‘As civic head of the council, it is entirely fitting that I acknowledge the wrongs of times gone by. Perhaps Councillor Benny needs reminding that councils can multitask.

‘While bringing this motion forward, we have also increased spending on roads by £3 million over this year and next, increased grass cutting, cleaned up our streets following years of decline, and established a working group to tackle antisocial behaviour. Sorting out the mess left from his Labour/Tory administration.

‘And describing this as a “hobby-horse” is frankly disrespectful. Acknowledging the persecution of women in our own communities is about recognising our history and the wrongs committed in the name of the law — not pursuing a personal interest.

‘We can address the challenges facing Stirling today while acknowledging the injustices of our past. Doing both is not a distraction from the day job — it is part of serving our communities properly. I understand it may be difficult for Cllr Benny to multitask. The rest of us will continue to do so.’

The motion, lodged by Ms Fraser, states that the council ‘acknowledges and expresses its profound regret for the injustice suffered by those accused of witchcraft in Stirling’ and asks the Lord Provost to offer ‘a civic apology to those who were accused, persecuted, convicted or executed in Stirling because of witchcraft accusations’.

It also says that the council recognises the impact the persecutions of mainly women had, including inequality, poverty, vulnerability and discrimination and commits to ensuring that this local history ‘is appropriately remembered and represented within the city’s heritage and educational work’.

It also asks council officers to explore with historians, archives and community organisations ‘an appropriate way of commemorating those who suffered, ensuring that their stories are not forgotten’.

SNP councillor Willie Ferguson said: ‘This motion addresses historical wrongs and indeed there is nothing wrong with that.

‘Other notable national apologies include Bloody Sunday, Hillsborough and Windrush and no one suggested the respective Conservative Governments of the day were sidetracked when making them.

‘History suggests over 2,500 folk were executed for witchcraft, the majority of them women. Atrocities happening in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries are no less worthy of apology then those within living memory and Councillor Benny would do well to reflect on that.

‘The Stirling Tories shouldn't worry too much about the SNP's ability to multitask, given our record of delivery and making good on other historical wrongdoings namely the policy failures of the previous Labour administration, an administration that the Tories were more than happy to prop up.

‘Contrast the SNP administration's ability to multi-task with that of the Tories as they provide no effective opposition on Stirling Council yet find time to waste on political point scoring.’