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Thread: Post Election Council Centralisation

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  1. #1

    Default Post Election Council Centralisation

    Bet that after the election some councils will be merged, as swinny hinted earlier this week and Sturgeon also said earlier this week she would “not rule anything out” when asked if a review of local government structure would involve cutting the number of councils. So expect to see Moray absorbed into HIghlands, East Dunbartonshire into Glasgow or East Renfrewshire, Angus into Dundee sucking power and jobs out of local communities through this constant drive towards central control. SNP have done it with police fire and parts of NHS. Why ? cost savings thats the real reason, its always the economy and we dont look to good going forwards, so keeping tax at status quo ( minor top earner adjustments ) maintaining freebies will be part paid for by savings from centralisation, its either that or cut freebies / raise taxes as you cant square the circle, or can anyone throw light on the drive for centralisation, cos its usually to make costs savings avoid duplication etc.

  2. #2

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    I missed Swinney's hints about merging councils and Sturgeon's statement she would "not rule anything out". Could you provide a reference please??

  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by caltonjock View Post
    I missed Swinney's hints about merging councils and Sturgeon's statement she would "not rule anything out". Could you provide a reference please??
    I missed this and its very rich comming from you who never quotes sources used on your blog etc : see https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news...ee-say-tories/ also in other papers but cant remember them all, why ask...council tax freeze, no tax increases will impact on existing council structure so mergers ( just as they did to create Police Scotland ) are 100% inevitable, you cannot square the circle.

  4. #4

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    The courier.co.uk has it so must be true!!!!! Read the comments from the public who live there and compare it with Tory let's spread fear today. Better of reading the Groat as Ruth does not feature in it so much!!!!

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Z View Post
    The courier.co.uk has it so must be true!!!!! Read the comments from the public who live there and compare it with Tory let's spread fear today. Better of reading the Groat as Ruth does not feature in it so much!!!!
    Other papers carried the story to0, as I said try googling

  6. #6
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    This is bonkers, the Highland Council itself is far too big as it is and would be better split into a couple of smaller councils. Might save money but at what other cost?

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by crashbandicoot1979 View Post
    This is bonkers, the Highland Council itself is far too big as it is and would be better split into a couple of smaller councils. Might save money but at what other cost?
    Would agree totally, but for long enough its been muted to absorb parts of Moray into Highlands and parts into Aberdeenshire or the lot into HIghland council, and Moray remember struggled with their imposed budget, werent they first to talk up raising council tax and like the rest backed down as SNP were ging to impose financial penalties on them for doing so ? SNP have track record of centralising. So we can wait and see, but to save costs and deliver services, assuming no income tax rises and keeping council tax freeze in place, costs can only be saved through mergers. Id be surpised if Moray Council was as is in 4 years time could be wrong and hope I am.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by rob murray View Post
    Would agree totally, but for long enough its been muted to absorb parts of Moray into Highlands and parts into Aberdeenshire or the lot into HIghland council, and Moray remember struggled with their imposed budget, werent they first to talk up raising council tax and like the rest backed down as SNP were ging to impose financial penalties on them for doing so ? SNP have track record of centralising. So we can wait and see, but to save costs and deliver services, assuming no income tax rises and keeping council tax freeze in place, costs can only be saved through mergers. Id be surpised if Moray Council was as is in 4 years time could be wrong and hope I am.
    Yes that's a good point, Moray were indeed going to raise council tax. I guess the issue with the size of THC isn't so much about the amount of money available, but how the money and services are administered, in that certain places get more than their fair share of the pot, plus so many jobs are being centralised in Inverness rather than out in the remoter areas where they are needed, both as employment and as a service. Maybe a larger Council would lead to more area committees that could make sure each area has its specific needs met. At the very least I absolutely believe that Inverness should have a City Council, because its needs are totally diferent to the rural parts of the Highlands, plus most other cities have their own council - if it wants to be a city, it should be administered as a city (I'm digressing a bit here, but its something I've thought for a while).

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