Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth and Morven-May MacCallum, LibDem MSP
by BILL HEANEY
Ahead of a parliamentary debate about the Scottish Government’s plans to reorganise local authorities, Scottish Liberal Democrat Highland MSPs have written a joint letter to Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth expressing their concerns.
The Scottish Government is proposing to replace the existing 32 local authorities with between 6 and 10 larger regional authorities.
These regional authorities would focus on major issues such as education and economic growth.
The plans would also see the creation of between 120 and 160 community authorities, which would contribute to local issues such as licensing and town planning.
David Green, Andrew Baxter and Morven-May MacCallum have warned that these plans must not be an excuse for further bureaucracy or an even larger Highland authority.
The government has provided no indication of the likely geographic boundaries of the new authorities, and there is no indication of how they would be funded.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats’ letter to Deputy First Minister, Jenny Gilruth, is as follows:
Dear Deputy First Minister,
We are writing to you following the publication of your government’s proposals for local government reform.
For too long, power has been removed from communities in the Highlands. From the fire service to local policing, our constituents experience the harmful effects of that centralisation every day. They are understandably wary about what these latest plans will mean for them.
They are particularly concerned by the proposals for larger regional authorities and what that could mean for Highland Council. It would be wrong, for example, for ministers to amalgamate Highland Council with neighbouring local authorities like Moray or Aberdeenshire, each of which has its own particular needs. They are worried that such a huge authority would mean issues like depopulation, which affect some areas in the north of Scotland far more than others, are overlooked.
To illustrate this point further, it cannot be right that decisions about major housing developments in Portree are taken by a committee involving councillors from as far away as Wick and Cromarty. Local people should have a direct say over what is built in their community.
A one-size-fits-all culture will never meet the needs of rural communities. The real test of successful reform lies in whether decisions are being made closer to communities, whether those communities have meaningful control over their budgets, and whether powers have been sufficiently transferred outside Edinburgh.
If that test is not met, we fear these proposals will amount to little more than an expensive rebranding exercise.
What assurances, therefore, can you provide to our Highland constituents that these proposals will not simply amount to another form of centralisation, and will you set out, in detail, how communities will retain control over important decisions affecting matters such as healthcare, education and economic growth?
We look forward to receiving your response.
Yours sincerely,
David Green MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Andrew Baxter MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
Morven-May MacCallum MSP for Highlands and Islands Region
David Green MSP said:
“After witnessing power being steadily pulled away from the Far North over many years, my constituents are rightly sceptical about these plans.
“Ministers in Edinburgh need to be prepared to devolve powers of their own. This can’t simply be a case of redrawing lines on a map.
“After all, the best decisions are made when local people are empowered to make them, and it is Highlanders who know their communities best.”
Andrew Baxter MSP said:
“Given the SNP’s record of centralising control over everything it can get its hands on, my constituents are understandably cautious.
“This shouldn’t be an excuse to make Highland Council even bigger.
“The Highlands should have far greater control over economic growth, transport and strategic planning, rather than constantly being dictated to by ministers in Edinburgh.”
Morven-May MacCallum MSP said:
“The Scottish Government has so far failed to provide any evidence of how these proposals will improve the lives of people in the Highlands.
“The very last thing my constituents need is yet more SNP centralisation and cuts.
“The government needs to start treating local government as an equal partner, giving councils multi-year funding deals and freedom to innovate so we can get the best deal for everyone across the Highlands.”
ENDS