Scotland
Watchdog tells Falkirk to confront 'difficult decisions'
Falkirk Council faces ‘difficult decisions’ to bridge a budget gap of tens of millions, according to Audit Scotland.
Next Government urged to look at devolving air passenger duty
The leader of a Labour council in the shadow of Heathrow Airport has urged the next Government to look at devolving air passenger duty (APD).
Scottish councils’ debt is one-and-a-half times funding
The debt of councils in Scotland is more than one-and-a-half times the latest local government funding settlement, the Scottish Conservatives have found.
Proposed law could ease housing emergencies
Scottish councils may be required to assess the condition of private rented accommodation under a proposed law.
Mundell to join Moray as interim chief executive
Moray Council has announced John Mundell will take up the role of interim chief executive.
Glasgow appoints chief executive
Susanne Millar has been appointed as Glasgow City Council’s chief executive.
Scottish councils in tax U-turn
Argyll and Bute and Inverclyde councils had both voted to raise tax in defiance of the Scottish Government's efforts to secure a nationwide freeze.
Watchdog warning over Moray's funding gap
Moray Council must act quickly to shore up its finances, Audit Scotland has warned.
National care service overhaul fails to charm councils
Councils in Scotland remain unconvinced by proposals to create a national care service.
Scottish Budget 'not good' for communities
Next year’s Scottish Budget is ‘not good’ for communities, council leaders have said.
Regulator calls for 'substantial' planning intervention
The planning system requires ‘substantial intervention’ by the Government to ensure consistent delivery of new homes, a major study has concluded.
Council rejects tax freeze offer
Argyll and Bute Council has become the first to reject the Scottish Government’s council tax freeze.
Scottish council leaders call for £45m boost
Scottish council leaders have called for the £45m Barnett consequentials from a £600m boost to the English finance settlement to be passed to them.
Scottish devolution: Time to re-boot
It’s time for an informed debate in Scotland on the next stage of the devolution journey, says George Thorley.
Scotland’s homelessness system 'at risk of failure'
Scotland’s homelessness system is on the brink of collapse, according to the country’s housing watchdog.
Council leaders demand right to set tax levels
Local authority leaders in Scotland have renewed their fight to set their own council taxes – despite the pledge of a freeze by first minister Humza Yousaf.
Scots councils face 'difficult decisions' over budgets
Scotland’s councils need to ‘innovate at pace’ and make ‘difficult decisions about cuts to services’ to remain financially sustainable, a report by spending watchdogs has warned.
Accounts Commission highlights ‘strong leadership’ at Dumfries and Galloway
An Accounts Commission report has praised Dumfries and Galloway Council’s leadership and finances – but it needs to keep local residents better informed on local services.
Edinburgh chief executive to retire
The chief executive of Edinburgh City Council has announced that he is to retire.
Scots Gov should not mark own report card
The Scottish Parliament should appoint an independent external organisation to validate the National Performance Framework and regain faith in the system of assessment. George Thorley explains.