WIREDGOV

John Swinney will today reflect on progress made since the Concordat was signed by local and national government more than a year ago - and highlight the crucial role of councils in delivering economic recovery.

At a conference on The Concordat: One Year On, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth will say the new way of working has:

• Delivered a council tax freeze for 2008-09 - providing much needed relief for hard pressed householders.
• Freed councils from much of the costly bureaucracy associated with ring fencing and seen national government step back from day to day micromanagement of local authorities.
• Given councils the freedom to react to local needs and priorities - particularly in the face of the challenges presented by the economic downturn.
• Put in place three new frameworks - on tackling poverty, on early years and on health inequalities.

Mr Swinney said:

"A great deal has changed since we signed the Concordat with local Government more than a year ago. We have a new, much more productive way of working together, but we also have new, more pressing challenges to face - particularly on the economy.

"And the global economic downturn makes our new relationship with local government more important than ever.

"This Government has put in place an economic recovery programme and with our local government and public sector partners we are working to deliver that recovery.

"Local authorities are at the coal face of making sure we help local businesses and households weather the current difficulties and emerge stronger than before.

"The Concordat frees them from the burden of having national government look over their shoulder at every stage of the process. It allows them to focus spending where local needs and priorities are greatest. And it allows them to spend more money on services for people rather than costly bureaucracy associated with ring fencing.

"Together we have delivered a great deal - not least a freeze in the council tax at a time when hard pressed householders needed it the most. The resources are in place to allow councils to do the same again next year.

"And we will go on delivering - particularly on economic recovery where local authorities are crucial partners in the accelerated capital spending and increased advice to businesses and individuals that is at the heart of our programme.

"We are already seeing councils come forward with their own ideas and plans to help their own local economies - councils exercising real and effective leadership in every part of the country.

"We have faced challenges over the past year. The economic situation will no doubt bring ever more pressing challenges in the year ahead. But what the Concordat does mean is that local and national government will face those challenges together, in partnership for people across Scotland."

Related Information

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Economy

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government