City Deal’s potential to transform Stirling

As most people prepare for the festive season, in the Scottish Parliament, December is all about the budget.

Published in the middle of the month, it initially sets out the Scottish Government’s plans for the coming year before Parliamentary scrutiny.

So far, it has been a bit of a shambles, with the Cabinet Secretary providing the wrong figures to our local authorities as well as double counting parts of the local government and health budgets.

However, this year is a unique budget as the Parliament sets income tax for the first time and this is where much of the debate will be focused in coming months.

As we continue to face significant pressures on public finances, with Stirling Council facing a £4.9 million cut to local services like schools and libraries, the case for a fairer tax system grows.

So 2017 will be a time for big decisions - but 2016 has certainly not been short of them. It has been a turbulent year in politics.

We have had important elections for the Scottish Parliament, but equally the referendum on Europe and the presidential election in the United States will have a profound impact on Scotland looking into the new year. Some years ago I tackled Donald Trump on the issue of climate change when he gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Economy Committee opposing the construction of an offshore windfarm near his golf course.

If someone had told me then that a few years later he would be in a position to have a profound influence on global energy policy, I would have found it difficult to believe.

Only two years ago we thought the constitutional future of our country had been settled in a referendum, which made more people politically engaged but also divided communities and even families.

Now, rightly or wrongly, we have been plunged back into this debate again. We are still facing huge uncertainly over the impact of Brexit and it is unlikely that will be resolved any time soon.

So many world events are outwith our control, but we must focus on what we can and should do here in Scotland. That work starts in our councils, where we have important elections next year, and in Holyrood, with our parliament gaining further important tax powers.

The future of our public services is in our hands and it is no longer credible for the Scottish Government to duck responsibility.

While times are difficult, the announcement of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Deal is a much needed boost for the area.

Credit should be given to Stirling Council leader Councillor Johanna Boyd who had a vision for the deal, worked collaboratively with other parties and agencies to make it happen, and persuaded governments of its importance and urgency.

The City Deal announcement has been the first stage, and there is much work to do in securing the funding and making it happen, but I believe it has the potential to transform Stirling for the better.