Councils can ‘take no more pain’ over funding

Scottish local authorities can “take no more pain”, the head of an organisation representing councils has warned government finance ministers.

Councillor Kevin Keenan, finance spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), said communities across the country would face job losses and hits to vital services if central government funding to councils is cut.

The Scottish Government local government revenue settlement fell £507 million (-5.2%) last year accounting for inflation, and councils across Scotland project multi-million-pound budget gaps as they anticipate further cuts.

Speaking in advance of the UK Chancellor’s budget statement on Wednesday, Mr Keenan said: “The decisions taken by the UK Government later this week and then by Scottish Government ministers next month will have a massive bearing on communities in terms of local services and local jobs.

“Scottish local government is already under severe financial pressure due to the political choices taken by the centre.

“For the sake of local services and local jobs within communities throughout Scotland, I can only hope that they recognise local government is at a defining moment and that the communities we represent can take no more pain.

“It is time for an honest debate – there is no more meat on the bone.”

Warning: Councillor Kevin Keenan.