HOUSE hunters in Edinburgh will see little impact from the abolition of Stamp Duty for first-time buyers, which was the major announcement in the recent UK budget, according to leading experts in the city. Continue reading Eradication of Stamp Duty will not benefit Scotland
A publication by the Accounts Commission, showing the extent of the financial stress faced by councils, serves as a wakeup call to the finance secretary say the Greens. Local government spokesperson for the Scottish Greens Andy Wightman says the report’s findings make it difficult for Derek Mackay to dismiss key Green demands for the forthcoming draft budget that include protecting public services and a real terms pay rise.
Continue reading Holyrood budget: Greens pledge to protect public services
“We have a strong track record of effective financial management” – Cllr Alisdair Rankin Continue reading Take your seat for Budget Question Time
Was the Westminster Budget good for Scots? As ever, opinion is sharply divided … Continue reading UK Government budget ‘delivers for Scotland’
£350 million more for Scotland, proving that ‘we are stronger together in this great United Kingdom’, cried a triumphant Chancellor. No, we’re £2.9 billion POORER, said the Scottish Government’s finance spokesman. Confused? You will be. Continue reading More smoke and mirrors: a good deal for Scotland … or is it?
The City of Edinburgh Council benefitted from a nationwide increase of 2.7% in education spending last year, thanks to Scottish Government efforts to close the attainment gap and provide local authorities with a fair funding deal. Local MSP Ben Macpherson says that means a good deal for the city’s schoolchildren. Continue reading Schools spending boost for Edinburgh
Dear Editor
Cuts in funding for services affect people differently, most are appalled at the frequency and the damage it is doing to the local social fabric. But as always, it is those who are in need of services are denied them with all the consequences including further isolation within the community.
Pilton Equalities Project, an organisation in North Edinburgh, runs many services for local people, including :-
Five Day Care Clubs, Classes and Activities in Computer Training, Arts and Crafts, Classes in Literacy and Numeracy. Cooking, A Mental Health Issues Group Class
These activities are attended by approximately 200 people each week.
PEPs Minibuses pick up from and return people to their homes, all the buses are staffed with volunteer escorts. Up to 8o other volunteers help throughout the week with other activities.
Funding cuts from the Council or Scottish Parliament will hit the provision of these services and the very people who are in most need.
PEP makes every effort in appealing to various social and charitable organisations for grants to keep these vital services for local people going but it is not sustainable in the long run if funding cuts continue.
PEPs volunteers did 13,00 hours volunteering in 2016 for local people, adding greatly to the quality of life and indeed their health. As one of those volunteers, the reason for this letter is to raise public understanding of how serious are repeated cuts in funding for local services.
With the best will and efforts volunteers cannot operate on insufficient funding for their organisations.
A. Delahoy.
Silverknowes Gardens
The city council will sets it’s budget tomorrow. The meeting starts at 10am
It’s the blame game. Local government blames Holyrood for cuts to services. Holyrood blames Westminster. Westminster says it’s Holyrood’s fault – and so the cycle goes on. And on. And on. And while the various democratic structures pass the buck, communities continue to suffer – and, as ever, the poorest communities suffer most …
COSLA President Councillor David O’Neill said that Council Leaders had given COSLA a very clear message over the course of the last week that the Scottish Government have to treat local government fairly in tomorrow’s settlement announcement. Continue reading COSLA: give us a break
