JIM HUME MSP DEMANDS FAIR SHARE OF FUNDING FOR EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL

12.00.00am GMT Thu 12th Feb 2009

Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, has challenged the Finance Secretary to ensure that all councils get a fair share of the Local Government Finance Settlement.

The breakdown of figures released by the Scottish Government show that East Lothian Council will receive under 90% of the national average level of funding, which could put significant strain on their ability to provide public services.

Jim Hume said:

"While I am pleased that John Swinney has acknowledged the need to address the way funding is distributed, it is very concerning that any changes would not take effect until the 2011 Budget.

"Liberal Democrats want to see a minimum funding level established for all local authorities in order to safeguard important public services. It is disappointing that the Finance Secretary has declined to look at using current under-spends to ‘top-up' the grants for local councils that currently receive less than their fair share.

"It's clear that in the long term we need to make changes to the funding distribution formula, but there is already a short-term solution and one that could be of huge benefit to East Lothian Council's spending in underfunded areas.

"Liberal Democrats intend to keep up the pressure on the Government to act now."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The average spending per head of population in Scotland, based on 2007 population estimates, in the 2009-10 Local Government Finance Settlement is £2,229.81.

• East Lothian will receive £2004.47 per person - 89.89% of the average.The full breakdown by local authority is available here at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/finance/Q/EditMode/on/ForceUpdate/on