Relationship between local and central government "still strong" says Biagi

The relationship between central government and councils remains as strong as ever, despite recent disputes, according to Local Government Minister Marco Biagi.

In the past few months arguments over teacher numbers have caused acrimony between local authorities and the Scottish Government.

However, at today’s joint Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)/Improvement Service conference in Perthshire, Biagi reminded delegates of a “less favourable” time before the famous Concordat agreement was signed, when large amounts of the money councils received from central government was ring-fenced.

He said: "That changed in 2008/09 with the Concordat which swept away 45 ring-fenced funds in just one year. 

"Today, two per cent [of the funding] which comes to local government from central government is ring fenced. That is a world away from where we were then. 

"The Concordat signalled a change in our relationship with local government and a new attitude towards localism. That relationship has endured, through frank discussions like any working relationship, that relationship continues. 

"It is important to put into perspective disagreements over small sums of money, relative to the £2.7 billion that was ring fenced then. 

"The partnership has been financial and it has been noted as something that has carried forward spending allocations, we now have reports which show the stark difference when faced with the same austerity challenges and spending decisions that have been taken in Scotland those south of the border.”

Biagi added that the relationship and value the Scottish Government places on local government "means there has been a much better protection from that austerity”.

"If any proof were needed, [creating] the Commission on Local Tax Reform, we have chosen to do this as a government in partnership with local government, jointly chaired, hosted at COSLA and a membership which has drawn heavily on those with great local government experience,” he added.