Scots losing funding autonomy

14 Feb 02
Scottish local authorities are increasingly suffering from central control of funding, an analysis published this week shows.

15 February 2002

The annual rating review compiled by CIPFA in Scotland shows that ringfenced grants rose as a share of local government income by £53m, nearly 10%.

'Andy Kerr, minister for finance and public services, has gone on record stating that he wishes to reduce ringfencing,' said Ian Doig, director of CIPFA in Scotland. 'I hope that the forthcoming report from the local government committee and the promised Executive white paper on local government reform will both consider this key issue.'

The review, which provides analysis of revenue expenditure on housing, education, social work, roads and leisure and recreation, was published on February 11.

It shows that total local authority expenditure in 2000/01 rose by 2.6%, and council tax accounted for just 21% of income. The highest single area of spend was education (43%), which increased by £131m.

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