by BILL HEANEY
There will be widespread relief across West Dunbartonshire that Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth has ruled out handing new powers to councils.
Jenny Gilruth confirmed today that the SNP will continue to hold on to power at Holyrood rather than devolve decision-making authority to councils — even if the party’s proposed reform of local government goes ahead.
The Scottish government has revealed its proposals to cut the number of councils in Scotland to as few as six as it launches a consultation on the future of local government.
These regional councils would be supported by a network of over 100 smaller community authorities, taking decisions on the likes of licensing.
And, believe it or not, town centres, which just goes to show the Education Minister has failed to do her homework at least insofar as Dumbarton and Vale of Leven are concerned, where town centres are a poisoned chalice for politicians.
Gilruth’s plans have been branded “back of the fag-packet” by critics with little detail as to how it would actually work. Inevitably, she will be known here as Jenny Come Lately. Too lately.
“I think there are some powers that rest in local authorities, for example, which could be pushed down into our communities.”
This would be a blow to those who hoped to strengthen local democracy across Scotland, which has undergone increasing centralisation under the SNP.
In West Dunbartonshire, democracy has gone out the window. Labour are running the council despite not having the majority that entitles them to do so, after the SNP, who were offered it, refused to take over.
Under the proposal, larger councils would focus on major issues such as education, big planning decisions and economic growth, while the smaller authorities could preside over licensing and town centre improvements.
It would represent the biggest shake-up to the country’s councils since 1974, when local government in Dunbartonshire was reduced to Strathclyde Regional Council and a District Council, which met in the Municipal Buildings, which are currently being advertised to let, along with other empty office properties.
The Scottish Government also plans to slash the number of NHS health boards from 14 to two.
The local health board Greater Glasgow and Clyde has been a disaster for politicians and patients and is the subject of a judicial inquiry about failures at the near £1 million Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and the Royal Children’s Hospital, both of which serve Dunbartonshire.
Words on the wards most definitely have it that privatisation of the NHS is also the subject of serious discussion at government level.
Remarkably, councillors would continue to be elected under the current ward system and would sit on both the local and regional authorities, though the paper suggests the increased time commitment may require a boost in councillor pay.
However, in a sign the SNP is not committed to its own preposterous plan, the government paper concedes the proposal has been put forward merely to “aid discussions”.
“I know, from my time in education, there’s a level of duplication across the country at the current time, and I have to be candid about the challenges we face in terms of the public purse at the current time.
“So there will be a level of efficiency we need to drive from this approach to reform, but there’s also a real opportunity here for the public to have a better approach to service delivery in people’s communities.”
Top of page: Municipal Buildings in Dumbarton are being advertised as empty, with offices to let.