‘Scrap half of councils’ call in bid to cut costs

SCOTLAND has too many councils – and almost half of them should be axed to save money, say researchers.

The present 32 authorities would be more efficient if cut to only 17, a report says.

The Sheffield University study backs the creation of Greater Glasgow, which would be Britain’s largest council, by combining East Renfrewshire and East and West Dunbartonshire with the city of Glasgow.

Meanwhile, East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian could be combined with Edinburgh as Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen city could become Grampian but Highland, Moray, Dumfries and Galloway, and Borders would stay. North and South Lanarkshire would merge.

The Tayside region would see the merger of Dundee, Perth and Angus. Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire would become Forth Valley. North, South and East Ayrshire would also be united. Island authorities would remain intact.

The study, by Professor Alasdair Rae and Dr Ruth Hamilton, says Scotland was chosen as the question of boundaries had already been raised.

The paper says: ‘Our hope is this approach can feed into policy conversations.’

However, a spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘We have no plans to change council boundaries.’