Lanarkshire MSP outlines council budget concerns

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Central Scotland MSP has shared his “serious concerns” about council budget cuts and is calling for the Scottish Government to use tax and revenue-gathering powers to boost local authority funds.Richard Leonard has written to deputy first minister John Swinney suggesting measures such a wealth tax on the “super rich” or levies on land value or landfill to increase the money available to local government.

The former Scottish Labour leader says councils are being “put in the invidious position of having to choose which services to cut in order to balance budgets” – highlighting that North Lanarkshire must save £30 million in the year ahead to begin addressing a projected three-year budget gap of £67.4m.

The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android North Lanarkshire will set its budget for 2023-2024 on February 23, with leader Jim Logue previously having warned that services face being “significantly reduced, cut or ceased altogether” to balance the books.

Writing to Mr Swinney, who delivered the Scottish Government’s budget last month as he covers the Holyrood finance brief, Mr Leonard wrote: “Councils across the country will be faced with tough choices [and] I know leaders have made representation to you on the need for a fair settlement that enables them to provide services people depend on. “I would urge