News / Robinson welcomes extra cash for SIC
SHETLAND Islands Council is set receive an extra £1.3 million of local government funding for the next financial year after the Scottish Green Party struck a deal with the SNP that has seen the government’s budget passed stage 1 in parliament on Thursday afternoon.
Council leader Gary Robinson welcomed the additional 2017/18 funding and said it was much needed after the SIC received a poorer than expected settlement in December.
“We knew the budget was going to be squeezed this year and we were faced with some very difficult choices,” he said.
“What is now on offer will help us immensely when it comes to setting our own budget later this month.”
Shetland Islands Council has already warned that council tax rates will have to go up by three per cent.
The Scottish Greens said that by securing an extra £160 million for local government they had achieved more in a single budget than Labour in a decade of opposition.
“This is the biggest budget concession in Holyrood’s history and shows it’s possible for parties to stay true to their aims while finding common ground in the interests of the public,” the party’s finance spokesman Patrick Harvie said.
“By contrast, other parties have effectively ruled themselves out of constructive dialogue, leaving it to the Greens to push ministers beyond their comfort zone.”
“Greens stand firmly with local communities and public sector workers affected by cuts and closures, and today’s agreement means we can start to repair the damage done by years of underfunding and lack of local flexibility.
“This is, however, only the start of a journey on restoring financial powers at local level.”
Once the budget has gone through parliament, an announcement of additional government funding for operating the inter-island ferry service is also expected.
Transport and islands minister Humza Yousaf is due to return to Shetland later this month when the Highlands and Islands Convention is held in Lerwick on 20 February.
Meanwhile, councillors have expressed disappointment after it emerged that head teachers in isles will only receive £188,400 from the £120 million Attainment Scotland Fund, the lowest allocation of all of the country’s local authorities.
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