The former leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council is calling on her replacement to complain to the Scottish Government about being short-changed in funding.
Labour Councillor Linda Dorward had been co-leader of administration with SNP councillor Stephen Thompson – until party political differences led to the coalition falling apart last month.
The Conservative group has since taken charge and new council leader Gail Macgregor is tasked with trying to reduce a £13m budget gap, while providing as many services as possible in these tough economic times.
Councillor Macgregor has only been in the job three weeks, but her predecessor insists that one of her priorities should be demanding a fairer funding settlement from the Scottish Government.
In a motion due to be tabled at the full council meeting today, Labour Councillor Dorward wrote: “Real terms funding cuts will have a detrimental impact on vital local services, on our ability to focus the necessary resources and supports to our communities, and on those who are already impacted by this cost-of-living crisis.
“Significantly, it may lead to the loss of jobs, both within local authorities and within the local companies who supply goods and services to councils, and are reliant on their contracts to employ local people; decimating local economies and destroying local democracy.
“Dumfries and Galloway Council this year faces a nearly £13m funding gap and, at present, an estimated £62m gap in our funding over the next five years.
“On December 1, 2022, finance officers from all councils wrote to the Deputy First Minister outlining the tough choices councils would have to make.
“Those decisions, they pointed out, will ‘impact the services that the public rely upon’. On January 13, 2023 every council leader wrote, via COSLA, to the First Minister deeply concerned about the impacts of the settlement that Scottish Government proposed for local government as part of this year’s Scottish budget.
“These actions are unprecedented and highlight the unparalleled financial challenges councils face. SNP/Green government funding to local authorities has not improved.”
Urging the new council leader to write to the Scottish Government calling for a fair funding settlement to close budget gaps and “ensure local jobs, services and support for the most vulnerable in our region remain sustainable”.
