Falkirk councillors have voted against proposals to remove 150 funded places from private providers.

The council had proposed to reduce the number of places it funds for three-and four-year-olds in private provision as a cost saving measure, instead offering the places in  council-run settings.

Councillors rejected the proposals in a tight vote, instead voting to raise council tax by 15.6%.

Independent councillor Laura Murtagh said the council’s budget proposals had included “no public consultation, nor discussion with children, families or stakeholders.”

National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) Scotland campaigned against the proposals in the run-up to the vote, calling it an “appalling plan”.

Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of NDNA Scotland, said: “We are very pleased to see the decision made by Falkirk councillors with regard to cutting the places available to parents in partner nurseries. This is a sensible decision that recognises the important role that private and third sector nurseries play in delivering funded early learning and childcare.”

She added: “Our nursery members in Falkirk and the team from NDNA Scotland have worked tirelessly, alongside parent organisations like Pregnant then Screwed, to challenge this rushed proposal. It is a testament to the nurseries and parents who voiced their opposition in the meeting and ahead of the debate that their views were heard loud and clear.”