Cole-Hamilton: Councils need a power surge, not a power cut

Speaking as Scottish Liberal Democrats opposed the local government settlement handed down to councils by the SNP/Green Government, party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said

“Local government budgets have been squeezed to the pips year after year by the SNP and Greens. The consequences of that can be seen in the failure to close the poverty-related attainment gap to the potholes in our roads.

“Liberal Democrats have just prevented £5m in education cuts in Edinburgh, but up and down the country we are seeing the loss of early years staff, music, school librarians and much more.

“Local government needs new hope, not a new sanctions regime or a ministerial takeover of social care that would trample over local services once again. Scottish Liberal Democrats would instead deliver a power surge that recognises the important work councils do through new powers over economic development, planning and transport.”