In most council committees, press releases and probably
figuring prominently in the up-and-coming Community Conversations is the
oft-repeated mantra:
“Since 2010 the Comhairle’s funding has been cut
by 17% (the highest of any council in Scotland) and around 250 (full time
equivalent) local authority jobs have been lost in our community.”
To be aware of how council funding works, the Scottish Government will
propose a block grant to COSLA – the collective made up of all local
authorities and their representatives – which will be discussed, possible
negotiations take place and then agreement.
What we, the SNP Group, would like to know is why our COSLA representatives
(Council leader and his team), while flying down to meetings regularly at the
expense of the local tax-payer, are agreeing such a reduction in our settlement
allocation? What representations have they made on behalf of the authority, on
behalf of all the services that are now at risk – what are they doing down
there on our behalf?
The second half of the mantra regarding jobs is quite deliberately placed
alongside funding cuts which begs the question – is the poor allocation
our representatives agree giving rise to loss of jobs?
The group leader has written to the Comhairle leader asking for the
strongest possible representation in this matter but has had no response to
date.”
