PKC will have grant allocation figures before budget

Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) will hold its budget meeting on March 4.

There were fears the local authority would have to conduct its budget blindfolded without knowing its allocation from the Scottish Government.

But this week finance secretary Derek Mackay announced his Scottish

Government budget will be published on February 6 - a month ahead of the UK budget but two months later than usual.

PKC normally receives its grant allocation figures from the Scottish Government in the first or second week of December.

Due to the General Election in December, the chancellor’s UK budget, originally timetabled for November, has been delayed until March 11.

Following this week’s Scottish Government decision to hold its budget on February 6, council leader Murray Lyle told the PA he put out a proposal to the leaders of all the political groups the PKC budget be held on March 4.

He said:“That gives us time before the tax deadlines on March 11 and after the Scottish Government.”

John Swinney MSP for

Perthshire North said:“The setting of annual budgets is one of the most important responsibilities of a council, and it is regrettable that the incompetence of the Westminster government has led to such uncertainty over this process. ”

PKC’s SNP leader, Grant Laing said:“This will be welcome news for both the people of Perth and Kinross, as well as council staff, providing much-needed clarity.

“This entire debacle was completely avoidable, and I hope that the UK Government will take their financial responsibilities more seriously in the years ahead.” Cllr Laing added that having to do the budget without knowing the Scottish Government allocation was like“going out and buying a luxury cruise then only having enough to go to Benidorm.”