Argyll and Bute backs push for extra cash
Cautious hope has been expressed that further Scottish Government funding may mean fewer service cuts in the Argyll and Bute Council budget next year.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) is pushing Holyrood for an increase in council grants of inflation plus three per cent. This could mean an extra £9 million for Argyll and Bute, the council’s policy and resources committee heard.
Council leader Aileen Morton said: ‘Leaders have unanimously agreed [to ask] the Scottish Government that budgets have a minimum rate of inflation plus three per cent.
‘There are a number of options which are unpalatable and there is still a gap to be identified.
‘We have to lobby the Scottish Government for funding to protect these services.’ She added: ‘We must also agree a balanced budget in February.’
The committee recommends that the council endorses the request by COSLA to the Scottish Government.
The council was also asked to note that: ‘This does not necessarily address the challenges faced delivering services across such a geographically diverse area.’
After the meeting, Councillor Morton said: ‘Local authorities for years now have sustained far greater budget cuts than the Scottish Government, despite how valued our services are.
‘If the Scottish Government accepts COSLA’s ask and gives us an inflationary increase plus three per cent, it would make a real difference to the choices we will be making in February.’