Cosla chief demands ‘appropriate level’ of funding for councils
A lack of cash is preventing councils from “solving some of the problems facing our communities”, the president of local authorities body Cosla has said.
councils
Scottish Government denies Sarwar’s accusation it is ‘short-changing’ councils
Labour leadership contender Anas Sarwar has accused the SNP Government of “short-changing” Scotland’s councils by almost £4 billion in the last nine years.
Councils urge all parties to commit to fair funding in election manifestos
Council leaders are demanding Scotland’s political parties commit to a “menu for change” in the run up to May’s Holyrood election – insisting this must include “fair funding” for local government.
Youth services funding cut by 73% in less than a decade – YMCA
Youth services in England have had their local authority funding cut by 73% in less than a decade, according to analysis from the YMCA.
Budget deal for local councils is fair, insists Finance Secretary
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has insisted the cash settlement for councils in next year’s Budget is fair – despite claims that she is “short-changing” local government.
Many councils ‘fail to recognise youth violence as public health issue’
Many councils do not recognise serious youth violence as a public health issue and are missing opportunities to prevent vulnerable children being exploited, the children’s commissioner has said.
Council tax could be hiked 6% after freeze this year, Cosla warns MSPs
Scots could face council tax hikes of 6% in 2022 after Finance Secretary Kate Forbes offered authorities £90 million to freeze the charge in the forthcoming financial year, MSPs have been warned.
Number of UK’s substandard road bridges increasing
The number of substandard bridges across Great Britain is increasing, according to new research.
Only a third of cash in Scottish Welfare Fund spent by middle of 2020-21
A fund set up to help poorer Scots at times of crisis had only spent a third of the record cash sum allocated to it halfway through the financial year, new figures have revealed.
Councils make annual £891m parking surplus
English councils made a combined £891 million surplus from parking activities in the past financial year, according to new analysis.
MSPs back Bill enshrining rights for local councils into law
MSPs have backed a bid to enshrine protections for local councils into Scots law – even though they questioned what impact the legislation will have.
Councils insist fair funding deal needed to help recover from Covid-19 pandemic
Scotland’s councils face a funding shortfall of £360 million as the Covid-19 crisis has left budgets “strained”, local government leaders said.
SNP finance chief denies allegation of ‘disastrous’ Aberdeen budget
Scotland's Public Finance Minister today denied the north-east has been short-changed in a budget described as “disastrous” for residents.
North-east councils could join forces
North-east councils could join forces in a bid to cut procurement costs.
Aberdeen council leader claims local authorities ‘held to ransom’ by Scottish Government
A revolt is brewing as councils across Scotland follow Aberdeen and Moray's lead in announcing they could reject the Scottish Government's funding package.