West Dunbartonshire Council has joined councils across Scotland to call for a 2.5 per cent increase in local government funding in the upcoming Scottish budget.
Council umbrella body Cosla argues that they have “no options left” for savings.
They say local government budgets have fallen 10 times faster in real terms than the Scottish budget in the past five years, at 4 per cent compared to 0.4 per cent – and councils now need £549 million extra just to stand still.
Cosla also wants the three per cent cap on council tax increases to be scrapped, and says councils should be given the right to introduce discretionary taxes such as a tourist tax.
A spokesman said: “There is no room left for manoeuvre. There must be financial support for local government in the 2019/20 budget.
“If not, essential services will be at risk.”
The Scottish Government said local government has been treated “very fairly”, but added that finance secretary Derek Mackay is open to talks on options for local tax reform.
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