Local services could 'grind to a halt' if council doesn't get more cash
dailyrecord.co.ukThe Scottish Government has been warned that local services could grind to a halt without more help as local councils face a £1billion spending crisis.West Lothian’s director of finance, Donald Forrest, has joined colleagues across Scotland in putting his name to an unprecedented warning letter to the Depute First Minister John Swinney.The letter, signed by finance chiefs from all 32 councils, is uncompromising in the blunt language it uses about the threat to public services posed by spending constraints which come on the back of more than a decade of slashed budgets.The Scottish Government is set to announce its budget later this month ahead of councils making their own budgets early in the new year.West Lothian’s Education service faces bearing the brunt of cutbacks in coming years.The letter to Mr Swinney, from The Directors of Finance in Scotland, warns everyday services could stop without proper funding adding: “The situation for next year and beyond is unprecedented.“Local Government is facing over £1bn of pressures in 2023-24 with Councils now facing tough choices that will impact the services that the public rely upon.
Such considerations include those relating to schools, waste, roads, family support, public health, and social care.“The choices come down to reducing services, stopping services and ultimately, reducing the number of jobs.
This is bad news for individuals, families, communities and economies across Scotland.”It adds: “The main social determinants of health - including education, housing, employment - are all long-term drivers which must be invested in to improve health outcomes and address health inequality.“This year, Directors of Finance have felt the need to write to you directly.
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