ARGYLL and Bute Council’s leader has welcomed the Scottish Government’s decision to bring forward the date when its spending plans will be announced – but has warned that an increase in funding is still needed.

Councillor Aileen Morton was responding to the news that Scottish finance minister Derek Mackay has set a date of Thursday, February 6 to announce the Scottish Government’s budget plans at Holyrood.

Mr Mackay’s announcement came after UK Chancellor Sajid Javid said he would unveil the Conservative government’s own spending plans in the House of Commons on March 11 – the same day by which Scotland’s local authorities are legally required to agree their budgets.

READ MORE: New forecast predicts £2m Argyll and Bute Council overspend by April

Councillor Morton said: “These are times of considerable challenge, not only for Scottish councils but also for the people who depend on the core services we provide, and the staff we employ to deliver them.

“The Scottish Government’s decision to proceed with their budget on February 6 helps to reduce uncertainty, but until we know the level of funding we will receive from the Scottish Government, we won’t really know what kind of budget we will be setting for Argyll and Bute.

“As Audit Scotland made very clear in their report at the end of last year, local councils have faced substantial reductions in budgets in the last six years.

“If our services are to continue in a recognisable form, and if local people are to receive the support they expect and deserve, then we need to see a real terms increase in our funding from the Scottish Government.”

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Argyll and Bute will set its own budget for 2020-21 on February 27.

“I wrote last week to Mr Mackay highlighting that in these exceptional circumstances it is vital that all spheres of Government in Scotland work together to protect and support the essential services that Local Government provides every day to individuals, families and communities.”

Argyll and Bute MP Brendan O’Hara said: “There is no doubt that the UK government’s decision to publish its budget on the same day as Scottish councils are legally required to set Council Tax levels will create significant problems for all councils, including here in Argyll and Bute.

This means that Scotland’s local authorities will have to set their budgets blindfold, without knowing what the block grant will be.

“It’s clear that the Tories either didn’t understand or didn’t care that their actions would cause major headaches to the Scottish Government and local councils.

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“To add insult to injury, the fact that the Scottish Government had to find out through the media that this was happening, shows just how arrogant the Tories are and the contempt with which our communities are being treated.”

Meanwhile, a report published on Wednesday by local government body COSLA has stated that local government in Scotland will require £1bn of investment from the Scottish Government in order to protect vital and essential services.

COSLA says the money must be contained in the forthcoming Scottish budget, and must reach councils “before it is too late”.

Reacting to the COSLA report, Helensburgh’s MSP, Jackie Baillie, said: “It is absolutely vital that local authorities are fully equipped to deliver essential services and able to protect schools, care for the elderly, libraries and sports facilities.

“Years of challenging budgets have seen Argyll and Bute receive £299 per head less in its local government settlement than 2013.”

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