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Record investment for councils
13/12/2007
Record investment in local government and a new, more productive relationship with councils will create a more successful Scotland, Finance Secretary John Swinney said today.
Speaking as he announced the local government settlement for the next three years, Mr Swinney said the new partnership with local authorities would allow important steps forward for Scotland through a series of policy initiatives, including:
- providing more free nursery provision
- reducing class sizes
- and increasing support for carers
The settlement will also put more money into the pockets of local taxpayers with £70 million allocated to allow councils across Scotland to freeze council tax.
As part of the new relationship - enshrined in a Concordat signed by COSLA and the Scottish Government - councils will be given more freedom in spending the money allocated to them.
In return they will be required to deliver outcomes agreed with national government that reflect shared priorities to make Scotland wealthier and fairer, greener, smarter, safer and healthier.
For a full breakdown of the local authority settlement 2008-11, including allocations for individual councils.
Mr Swinney said:
"This government is proposing record investment in local government - £34.8 billion over the next three years.
"On the day we announced our spending plans, this government also signed a historic Concordat with COSLA. This signalled a new and much more productive relationship with local government - one which recognises the unique role local authorities play in the delivery of public services.
"So today's local government settlement is about far more than just pounds and pence. It is the first major milestone in this new relationship - a relationship that will see us working together to deliver smaller class sizes, more free nursery education and more support for Scotland's carers.
"As part of our new relationship we want to give local authorities more freedom than ever before on how to spend their share of this money. We want local authorities to allocate their resources in more productive ways to meet local demands for local services.
"Today's settlement will ensure that local authorities will be vital partners in creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth."
On allocating resources to councils to freeze council tax, the Cabinet Secretary said:
"Annual council tax increases have been far too high for far too long. This government promised to freeze council tax across Scotland and we have put the resources in place to allow all councils to do exactly that.
"It is now up to councils to play their part, freeze council tax and become part of the new, more productive relationship between local and national government."