Scotland
EXCLUSIVE: LGA split over worker bonus
A cross-party agreement that the Local Government Association (LGA) would lobby for a coronavirus payment to staff was ditched after senior councillors blocked the move, The MJ can reveal.
Watchdog urges faster improvement at Argyll and Bute
The council has been told it must ‘significantly increase’ the pace of improvement by the Accounts Commission.
Scots charities launch bid to end rough sleeping
A coalition of Scots charities will today present plans their plans to end rough sleeping to the Scottish Government.
Councils resist government's changed 'stay alert' message
Areas with higher coronavirus rates have urged residents to stay at home amid fears the Government’s change of message to ‘stay alert’ was confusing.
Scots care staff to get pay hike
Scottish social care staff are to receive an immediate 3.3% pay increase backdated from 1 April after an agreement between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
Sector on 'turbo-charge' to get homeless off streets
Local government is on ‘turbo-charge’ in its efforts to get the homeless off the streets amid the coronavirus crisis, the Prime Minister’s adviser on rough sleeping has said.
Councils ease parking restrictions to help coronavirus fight
Councils across the UK are reducing parking restrictions as part of the fight against coronavirus.
Budget 2020: New West Yorkshire mayor announced
A new directly-elected West Yorkshire mayor has been announced with the Government signing a new £1.8bn devolution deal amid plans to ‘level up’ the UK economy.
Scottish ministers hit out at UK austerity
Scottish ministers have blamed UK austerity measures for the financial difficulties facing councils north of the border.
City region deal to be signed
The Stirling and Clackmannanshire city region deal will be signed by council leaders and representatives of the UK and Scottish governments today.
Uncertainty puts East Lothian procurement on hold
Uncertainty over the future of waste and recycling in Scotland has led to East Lothian Council pushing back procurement of a contract for bin collections.
Call for new audit board
An independent review has been urged to back the creation of a board to oversee the local audit system.
Short-term thinking
Ahead of the impending introduction of new licensing powers for short-term lets in Scotland, Stephen McGowan says the Scottish Government needs to give full attention to the impact the regulations will pose to already-struggling local authorities.
Rates repatriation revolt collapses
An attempt to repatriate the setting of business rates to Scottish councils has collapsed.
'Hidden cuts' in Scottish Budget
Council leaders have complained about ‘hidden cuts’ in a Scottish Budget that will deliver £11.3bn for council services in 2020/21.
Scottish councils’ improvements ‘stalling’
Spending on culture and leisure, economic development, and roads all fell by around a quarter last year, according to a study.
Watchdog concerns over sustainability and services at Highland Council
The Accounts Commission expects the council to ‘demonstrate improvement in the next 12 months’ by implementing a series of recommendations made by Audit Scotland.
Row over SNP funding of councils
Local government is ‘treated far better in Scotland than it is elsewhere in the UK,’ the Scottish National Party (SNP) has insisted.
Brown calls for 'constitutional revolution'
Gordon Brown has called for a ‘constitutional revolution,’ with a series of citizens’ assemblies and a forum for mayors and regional leaders to shape change.
Dozens of children in care sent north of border
English councils are sending children in care hundreds of miles from their homes to secure accommodation in Scotland, new research has revealed.
