Falkirk's 'chronic underfunding' will 'ruin the service', warned Swinney

The leader of the Falkirk Council working group wrote to the Deputy Prime Minister of Scotland, sharing her desperation over the "chronic lack of funds." Means more cuts that ruin the service.

In an open letter to John Sweeney, Anne Hannah said the people of Falkirk faced "loss of essential jobs and services for all citizens".

} Ms Hannah, who was newly elected to the City Council in May, also told Mr Swinney, now Chancellor of the Treasury and Deputy Prime Minister,that the Scottish government would seek help to meet the challenges ahead. cannot be provided to the meeting.

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She says: We wanted to make a difference in the Falkirk Council area, and improve many of the people who live there. I am appalled at how few Scotland's 32 councils are all found to be in about the same situation.

She acknowledges many problems not caused by the Scottish government. A global pandemic, Britain's Brexit, the global economic crisis, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine have all created financial instability.

However, she added: “Nevertheless, the Scottish government provides about 79% of the Council's funding, so only the Scottish government can solve this crisis.”

Cllr Hannah, 2013/14 From 2021 to 2021/22, using figures from the Scottish Government's own website, it shows a 3.1% increase in its funding and a 2.4% decrease in local government finances.

Falkirk Council's budget gap over the next five years is around £82 million.

"The scale of the problem we face cannot be overstated," said Lieutenant Colonel Hannah. ``We cannot provide a balanced budget without further cuts to services that are already being cut annually.'' “Flat cash payments” are difficult enough, said Cllr Hannah. But the time has come for local governments, too, to face rising inflation and higher fuel, utility and construction costs.

There is also ongoing demand for rewards, with Mr Swinney's recent £140m proposal to City Council to fund salary increases for City Council staff. Regardless, Secretary Hannah believes this is not enough.

She also points out that the ringfence cash that must be spent on the set's projects means the Council cannot control much of the budget. For the part it manages, we are facing the need to cut essential services for voters at a time when the current high levels of inflation are straining our budgets," she said.

“Officials are developing savings proposals, but with years of cuts already imposed, their options are limited. A loss, a loss of essential services for all citizens, and a loss of services that could mean life or death for some of the most vulnerable on our wards. The scale of the problem facing the United States cannot be overstated.”

A Scottish government spokesperson said: This goes against the fact that the Scottish government's total budget has been cut by 5.2% in real terms, mainly due to cutbacks in the UK government.

“City Council staff play a vital role in our communities in rebuilding our economy post-pandemic. Later, despite the financial impact on the Scottish government's fully committed budget, the Scottish government will invest an additional 140 million to help COSLA offer revised salaries to the local government workforce. We are providing regular funding of £80,000.”

Between 2022 and 2023, Falkirk Council will receive £343.4m to fund critical community services. This represents an addition for him of £28.9m, or 9.2%, compared to 2021-22.

Councilor Cecil Mayclejohn, his SNP leader on the Falkirk Council, replied to Secretary Hannah that he was "disappointed at missing an opportunity for a cross-party approach."

She urged Cllr Hannah and her labor group to send a similar letter to the British government, using their authority to provide parliamentary services in the face of rising costs. I urge you to help me continue.

She said: “We also regret that this position is aimed entirely at the Scottish Government. Real progress has been made in partnership by deploying 1,140 hours of childcare to help with childcare in the workplace. Given that we are not only supporting parents and single parent families, we are also providing tremendous support to communities in difficult situations during the pandemic.From this difficult time we are still recovering.

``It is no exaggeration to say that the Scottish Government sets the budget. The national government is the Government of the United Kingdom.

"I will continue to engage COSLA and the Scottish Government as leader of the Falkirk Council to ensure that we can support the most vulnerable citizens and communities under pressure. In that spirit we will work with all parties to write a similar letter to the UK Government to address rising energy costs, the consequences of inflation and this is our community. I urge you to use all your strength to immediately alleviate the pressure by addressing the impact it is having on your country, and commit to increasing funding for our vital public services.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Hannah told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that he was happy to join forces with other political parties in their letter and hoped to work together to address the crisis. rice field.