ARGYLL and Bute Council’s leader has welcomed a campaign to award fair funding to local government.

Councillor Aileen Morton has hailed the approach by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA), which negotiates funding with the Scottish Government on behalf of Scotland’s councils.

COSLA has recently launched a briefing document entitled Fair Funding for Essential Services 2019/20 which outlines the central role that local government plays in both the local and Scottish economy.

And it warns that in the last five years, local government budgets have reduced 10 times more than the Scottish budget.

Councillor Morton said: “People across Argyll and Bute will be only too aware of the impact years of funding cuts are having on their council services.

“Schools, road maintenance, bin collections, social care, building standards - these and more essential, everyday services depend on council funding.

“Maintaining council services means maintaining council funding.

“I’m sure local people would recognise the importance of their local services and back the Scottish Government providing the necessary funding.”

COSLA will confirm the council’s funding around the festive season. The council is currently asking local people their priorities ahead of the budget being set in February 2019.

Councillor Morton added: “Thank you to everyone who has already taken time to give their views.

“The consultation is still open and it would be great to hear from as many more people as possible so that we can include local communities’ priorities in the decisions we will make in February.”

COSLA’s resources spokesperson Gail McGregor said: “A strong local government is critical if we are to continue to protect our communities and deliver the vital services we all rely so heavily on.

“Councils are at the forefront of protecting Scotland’s young people, tackling homelessness and ensuring a healthy and safe living environment for all citizens.

“December’s budget must reflect the essential role of local government in our economy and in our communities.”