RONA MACKAY MSP BACKS INCREASED SUPPORT FOR VITAL LOCAL SERVICES
Local MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden Rona Mackay has backed draft budget proposals that commit £208 million for East Dunbartonshire Council in 2021/22.
Scotland’s Finance Secretary Kate Forbes announced this week that the SNP Government will hand East Dunbartonshire Council an additional £5.9 million on last year’s spending – an increase of 2.9%. The plans will provide the council with an increase in day-to-day revenue spending.
£90 million has also been set aside to scrap rises in Council Tax and compensate local authorities who had planned to increase charges by up to 3% - allowing hard-pressed householders to keep more of their money to spend on other essentials.
Across Scotland, councils are set to receive £11.6 billion with £259 million added in one-off funding to support ongoing COVID-19 pressures on local services.
Welcoming the announcement, SNP MSP Rona Mackay said:
“In these uncertain and challenging times, the SNP Government has offered stability with a budget that protects vital local services and supports our economy.
“Local council workers have been working around the clock during this pandemic to keep Strathkelvin and Bearsden moving and ensure essential services continue to operate. This past week alone, I’ve been working alongside Council officers to ensure the lifeline Scottish Government funding for business support reaches those who need it most.
“It’s great news therefore that East Dunbartonshire Council is set to receive a funding boost of £5.9 million for the coming financial year. In these tough times, I know that local residents will also be delighted that the SNP Government has taken the significant step of supporting local authorities to introduce a freeze on Council Tax bills. “I would hope the political leadership of the council would also welcome this funding increase despite decades of Tory austerity inflicted on Scotland. The pandemic is too important to play politics with as we aim to build back stronger, fairer and greener.
“I’ll be backing these draft budget proposals to secure this cash for East Dunbartonshire Council and I hope this will be welcomed across parties.
ENDS