Govt has a choice over the cuts to services
COSLA’S president, councillor Shona Morrison, said: “There are many areas in which local and Scottish Government work together for our communities and I fully appreciate that money is extremely tight. All governments are having to cope with rising inflation and fuel costs.”
Well strike me down with a feather, there would be something seriously wrong if local and the Scottish Government didn’t work together to serve the people they have been elected to. And all governments have to make fiscal choices on where to spend their budget based on income and cost of expenditure.
What’s interesting is the consequences of the fiscal choices made by the Scottish Government, Shona spells these out: “However, with little room left to manoeuvre, the Scottish Government’s spending plans as they stand will see council services either significantly reduced, cut or stopped altogether.”
She added that: “Seventy percent of local government budget is spent on staffing, so it is inevitable that current spending plans will lead to job losses.
“The very serious impact of this scenario is that the critical work council staff do on prevention and early intervention will reduce significantly.”
Note, she didn’t say that there is no room for manoeuvre, she said there is little room for manoeuvre, meaning that the Scottish Government has a choice in the matter, and that choice will lead to the consequences that Shona highlighted.
Eleanor Eastlake
THE boys involved in the heating and window installations should be proud of themselves and get a little business award for their caring and help to this old lady ( Homeless charity rallied to help pensioner who had no heating or hot water for years, Monday).
May God reward you boys. Merry Christmas.
Barbara McAuslan
WHAT a wee shame, she’s a good wee soul, she does a lot for the homeless yet she’s going through that. Bless her.
How many people have got to suffer? The Government need to pull their fingers out, too many people are cold and going hungry.
No- one should be living like this. Pauline Mcclymont
WELL done to all involved. The festive season will feel much more cosy.