Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer members to my entry in the register of members’ interests: I am still a member of Aberdeen City Council, which is a member of COSLA.

I go back to the question that Michelle Thomson asked about capital concession regulations. Granting that approach does not appear to present a risk to the Scottish Government. I am trying to dig down a bit deeper into why that would not be allowed. I presume that councils could borrow more if that were allowed. Is that the case?

It has been a great evidence-taking session so far. We have spoken a lot about growth. I want to get your opinion on growth deals and city region deals. Are they working? Should the Government continue with them or should we do something else?

Are city region deals the right way to try to improve growth in the economy? Are they laser-like enough?

I have a question on tax policies for growth. Are the right policies in place on non-domestic rates and corporation tax or should we consider something else?

Does that apply to business tax as well as personal tax?

I have a final question on that point. Do we have any idea how much that change would mean for councils if it were made?

The David Hume Institute submission talks about

“devolving resources by putting more power in the hands of local communities.”

Is that happening or is the opposite really happening?

In your submission you say:

“The establishment of a new National Care Service ... is a distraction from recovery which will take resources, time and capacity away from service delivery at the time we would wish to see a significant investment.”

What is COSLA’s alternative? Is it just more money to local government?

Would that mean that councils could borrow more because the debt would be spread out over a longer term?

My next question is for Adam Stachura. You mention older workers in your submission. There is a risk that many of these older workers might not come back to work once furlough ends. Do you think that the Government can do more to ensure that those workers are welcomed back into employment and given meaningful jobs for as long as they want them?