Scottish council leaders have accused the Edinburgh government of cutting their funding while at the same time forcing them to provide extra services.
This is a ‘massive contradiction’ in the SNP government’s policies, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) says.
It says the government has attempted to ‘prevent headlines showing the unpalatable consequences’ of its cuts over the last 10 years which have led to a funding crisis ‘the likes of which have never been seen before’.
It has undermined local government’s democratic mandate and is a U-turn on previously agreed flexibilities for councils over their budgets, COSLA says.
In a joint presidential statement COSLA said: ‘On the one hand our budgets have been cut in real terms, and on the other hand the Scottish government is intervening with additional policies which means significant cuts will have to be made in other areas that support children, young people, families and our communities.
‘We have been clear about the limited options facing Local Government because of the Scottish government’s budget for 2023/24, a view which is shared by the independent body Accounts Commission.
‘We have also highlighted the impact of the initial proposed interventions on other local government services, including those which directly support the attainment, health and wellbeing of children and young people.
‘These latest asks and the government’s narrative demonstrates a Government who does not fully value and respect local government's role. Asks of this nature are addressing a symptom, not the cause.’
