Seòmar agus comataidhean

Good morning. I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests—I am a serving councillor on North Lanarkshire Council.

My first question relates to 20-minute neighbourhoods, which is a topic that has already been touched on. Several respondents to the committee’s call for views have raised the concern that the definitions of and delivery mechanisms for 20-minute neighbourhoods and community wealth building are not sufficiently clear. That is a concern for decision makers, given the quasi-judicial nature of the planning process. How will those concerns be addressed, and could there be a conflict between the intention to bring in 20-minute neighbourhoods and the role and responsibilities of councillors?

That would be useful.

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests, as I am a serving councillor for North Lanarkshire Council.

COSLA released a statement that heavily criticised the Government, as councils face a real-terms reduction in funding of £284 million this year. Is COSLA concerned that some councils might have to increase council tax significantly to offset the cuts that the Scottish Government has administered? What impact does COSLA feel that that increase will have on taxpayers, particularly people whom the pandemic impacted and who are struggling to make ends meet?

I have questions for both cabinet secretaries. My first is for Shona Robison.

Councils are struggling to maintain vital services because of the levels of cuts that have been administered by the Scottish Government in recent years. Earlier, we heard examples of the cuts that councils have had to make in order to balance the books. Does the cabinet secretary accept that that is due to decisions by the Government to cut local government budgets year on year, and that it has led to councils being unable to provide for their communities? I am not talking about the Government’s key priorities; I am talking about the basics, including education, bins and roads.

Thank you for that input, Martin.

I have a quick follow-up question about the letter that council leaders wrote to the First Minister about the unacceptable cuts to local government funding. Has COSLA received any update from the Scottish Government regarding the meeting that was requested? Will a meeting take place and, if so, what are leaders hoping to achieve from it? Can I hear from either Eileen Rowand or Gail Macgregor on that?

Thank you, Gail. I think that Martin Booth wants to come in.

I have a question for Kate Forbes. Council leaders have written to the First Minister to request a meeting to discuss the budget settlement. As we heard from Councillor Gail Macgregor, the First Minister has declined that request. If the Scottish Government is confident in its defence of the local government settlement, why has the First Minister declined such a meeting with council leaders?

Thank you.

Andrew Mitchell has indicated that he wants to come in. After that, I will move on to my next question.

Like Elena Whitham, I refer to my entry in the register of members’ interests. I am a serving councillor in North Lanarkshire Council.

Last week, we heard from witnesses who raised concerns about the cost of a short-term let licence. How much would the panel members expect a three-year short-term let licence to cost? Do they believe that the cost could harm small businesses and their ability to function?