Seòmar agus comataidhean

Good morning, panel. As the convener said, I want to ask about longer-term financial sustainability and the impact of budget changes. The first point is about the impact of rising inflation. Last week, we heard that it could go up to 11 per cent. In your view, what will be the impact on local authorities of rising inflation? It is projected to be high for about 18 months at least.

I ask Bill Moyes to say who is the best person to answer that.

I am glad to hear that you are considering an audit. From my 15 years of experience in a council, I think that one of the key questions is about councils’ role in economic development: is it as a facilitator or an enabler? I hope that that question would be picked up in an audit. I do not know whether Carol has anything to add, but I think that Antony Clark has made an important point.

I have met the groups concerned, and that is a great initiative. Will you say a bit more about your involvement with the council in relation to the food growing strategy? Has there been a lot of discussion, or could that process work a bit better?

Maria, would you like to comment on what I asked about?

Good morning, panel. As the convener said, I want to explore the local food growing strategies. One key point in our papers is that the Community Growing Forum Scotland has highlighted that part 9 of the 2015 act aims to go beyond simply addressing adequate allotment provision and that it

“also aims to include wider community food growing opportunities, especially in areas of socio-economic disadvantage”.

You have all touched on the food growing strategies, but what involvement do your groups have with the local authority in relation to the strategies?

I will come to Rosanne Woods first, because her site is in my constituency, and I know that East Lothian Council has put together a local food growing network. On the point about trying to include those who are experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, as we know, there are areas of poverty in Tranent and Prestonpans that are in the 10 per cent most deprived areas in the Scottish index of multiple deprivation. What is your involvement in the local food growing strategy? What are your thoughts about including those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged?

Obviously, Highland is different from a lot of urban local authorities. Is there a rural poverty aspect to that, given the scale of the Highlands? Has that been discussed at all?

That has been very helpful. Thank you.

That is really helpful.

Karen, you touched a little on your involvement with Scottish Borders Council. Do you want to say any more on that in relation to the food growing strategy and areas of socioeconomic disadvantage? Have there been any discussions or involvement in that regard?

I want to pick up on a point that Claire Murdoch made about consequentials, the decisions that are made by Westminster and how that can impact on your forecasting, which looks at the wider picture within the existing fiscal framework. Does the fiscal framework assist you and the Scottish Government in your forecasting? Obviously, that then impacts on the level of spend on social justice that can be considered.

I consider that the fiscal framework needs to be changed. However, in terms of the art of forecasting, does it help or hinder you? Is more being done as regards the fiscal framework? I think that obvious amendments are required to be made to it. That aside, does it help or hinder you in your forecasting role?

I am not trying to put words in your mouth, but does it need simplifying if that is the case?