McInnes condemns extra pressure on councils
February 25, 2009 12:00 AM
Alison McInnes, Liberal Democrat Local Government spokesperson, has condemned the SNP for piling extra pressure onto councils that are already under significant financial pressure, but called on councils to work together to be more efficient.
An Audit Scotland report published today has identified 'continuing pressures on finances', saying that 'new national policy expectations… also have significant financial implications'. It concludes that councils need to work together to deal with 'fast changing economic circumstances and financial pressures.'
The report also calls on councils to address staff absences as a priority area for efficiency savings. SPIs show that council staff and teachers took over 3.1 million days off sick last year.
Commenting, Mrs McInnes said:
"Audit Scotland quite rightly concludes that councils are coming under immense financial pressure.
"Unfortunately, just when councils most need to focus on delivering responsive, good quality local services and supporting communities through the downturn, the government has tied their hands.
"By insisting councils work towards ill-thought out and under funded SNP schemes such free school meals and reducing class sizes the SNP are piling on the pressure."
Commenting on Audit Scotland's call for councils to be more efficient, Mrs McInnes said:
"Audit Scotland's call for councils to be more efficient is a timely reminder as the recession bites.
"The report identifies better management of staff absences as one way to be more efficient. Let's not forget that council workers and teachers took 3.1 million days off sick last year, an astonishing total.
"Councils need to work together to identify areas where efficiency savings can be made, such as working out why employees have to take so much sick leave."
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