Scottish Ministers were urged to take urgent action to secure vital local public services such as education, care for the vulnerable and much needed infrastructure improvements, ahead of the Scottish Budget expected next week.
Speaking ahead of the budget statement by Cabinet Secretary for Finance Derek Mackay, Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan said it was time for Scottish Government to provide certainty for local government with a three year financial deal.
Councillor Mark Macmillan said: “Year on year, local authorities have faced increasing demands on their budgets which puts pressure on the delivery of the very services our communities rely on – whether that’s education, health or getting people into work.
“Now UK Government has provided certainty with a three year deal, Scottish Ministers can do the same by ending this pressure on local government and allowing us to plan to protect vital services such as schools, care homes and local transport improvements in the years ahead.
“Like every household, we are having to find ways of managing with less, but there are steps Government can take now to improve the situation and redress the spending balance where local government for too long has borne the brunt of spending cuts.
“On a like for like basis, Renfrewshire Council has seen more than a 17% real terms reduction in its budget since 2010/11 (£60million), more than double the 10% reduction the Scottish Government has experienced from Westminster.
“The recent £800million infrastructure fund should be used to deliver projects that will make a real difference both in terms of supporting local economic growth and improving their quality of life.
“I call on Scottish Ministers to use some of that fund to support much-needed transport improvements such as the A737, which will not only improve our connections across the West of Scotland but also make a real difference to those who use that route every day.”