The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement of an early Scottish Budget.

COSLA has been calling on the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Derek Mackay MSP, to respond to current circumstances and give local authorities some certainty in the current climate.

COSLA President Councillor Alison Evison said:

“I am extremely pleased the Scottish Government has listened and responded to calls from COSLA for an early Scottish Budget. I wrote last week to Mr Mackay highlighting that in these exceptional circumstances it is vital that all spheres of Government in Scotland work together to protect and support the essential services that Local Government provides every day to individuals, families and communities.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Gail Macgregor added:

“I look forward to Spending Review negotiations starting in earnest with the Cabinet Secretary Derek Mackay, and parties across the Scottish Parliament, to ensure Local Government gets the fair settlement needed to tackle our shared priorities of: inclusive growth, wellbeing, tackling child poverty and climate change. It is time for us to come together to properly resource Local Government, the life blood of sustainable communities.”