Hebrides News

Following last week’s UK Budget announcement, Paul Steele, leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has supported COSLA’s call for UK and Scottish Governments to direct a fair share of additional funding to councils.

The Chancellor announced the largest real-terms financial settlement for the Scottish Government since devolution with the award of an additional £3.4 billion for Scotland.

In a letter to both the UK and Scottish Government COSLA has asked for assurances that a fair share of this funding will be directed to local authorities to allow them to begin to reverse the impact of years of funding cuts.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has seen significant real-terms cuts to its funding settlement over several years. Scottish Government’s 2024-25 financial settlement delivered a real-terms funding reduction of £1.48m for the comhairle. This reduction put a strain on the delivery of local services and required the use of the authority’s limited reserves.

Paul Steele, said: “I fully support COSLA’s calls for funding assurances. Years of poor settlements from Scottish Government have forced the comhairle to reduce, stretch and in some cases remove our services. If we are forced to make savings again it will be even harder than in previous years for us to find them.

“This funding increase cannot solve the issues of Western Isles public sector finance but it presents an opportunity for Scottish Government to pass on a fair-share of additional revenue to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and mitigate years of cuts.

“The public would, quite reasonably, expect the largest real-terms settlement since devolution to lead to a funding increase for the Comhairle and allow us to protect the services we provide for them. If this funding increase is not delivered it would send a very poor message from Government to the people of the Western Isles about the importance of the services they rely on.”

He added: “The UK Government’s confirmation of the investment of £20 million into the Western Isles is welcome. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has begun discussions with Government to establish the details of this funding and will provide the public with updates as this progresses.

“While the budget presents opportunity for investment there remains uncertainty around the implications of the increase in National Insurance on Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and other councils. Alongside COSLA colleagues we will seek assurances on how the additional cost will be met.”

Comhairle leader calls for fair share of funding

 

6 November 2024