Colin Beattie MSP | Midlothian North & Musselburgh
  • Home
  • About
  • Constituency News
  • Contact
  • Esk River Improvement Group
  • Annual Report
  • Privacy Policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Constituency News
  • Contact
  • Esk River Improvement Group
  • Annual Report
  • Privacy Policy

MIDLOTHIAN NORTH MSP DECRIES ‘RISIBLE’ BUDGET STATEMENT

7/2/2019

0 Comments

 
Today Colin Beattie, Midlothian North and Musselburgh MSP, set out his position on the extraordinary budget statements made recently by Council leader Derek Milligan. Cllr Milligan was quoted on 6th February as saying:
 
‘In Midlothian, we are still faced with a 1.5 per cent cut when our population growth requires that spending increases considerably….It’s horrendous that the continued underfunding of this council by Scottish Government means we find ourselves in an even more acute position…Midlothian’s position is particularly acute, given we are the fastest growing local authority in Scotland.’
 
Colin Beattie MSP responded by saying:
 
‘Frankly, this statement is risible and not worth the paper it was printed on.
 
‘The simple fact of the matter is that, with the additional funding powers made available to the Council, the recent Scottish Government budget proposal is giving Midlothian Council an additional £10.35 million over last year’s budget. That’s an inflation busting 5.98% overall increase over the previous financial year when all elements are included.
 
‘Midlothian may well be the fastest growing local authority, but projected growth does not automatically equate to an immediate requirement for expenditure.
 
‘Cllr Milligan’s own internal auditor was reported as blaming elected councillors and officers for the drastic reduction in the Council’s reserves over the past three years, adding a stark warning that these reserves could run out in the 2019-20 financial year. If this report is accurate, I’m afraid to say he has a nerve calling on the Scottish Government to fix the Council’s own errors – especially when there is tangible proof that the Council is being treated fairly.
 
‘We must also not forget that council funding is set by the Labour controlled local authority umbrella body COSLA, of which Midlothian Council is a signed up member. The Labour administration previously formally agreed the formula for allocating funding to councils. If Cllr Milligan had real concerns the time to raise them would have been during the funding process.
 
‘Frankly I now have to question the competence of the Labour Administration to manage the finances of the Council.
 
‘I call on Cllr Milligan to stop creating alarm and fear for the people of Midlothian and to balance the council budget and deliver the essential services which are needed.’
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Parliamentary Work

    Picture
    Click here to find out what I've been doing in Parliament!

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013


    Links

    Picture
    Picture

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.