1. Local Government
Individually: Write down all the services you think local Councils might provide.

2. Learning Intentions
I will be able to identify different sources of funding for local government.

3. Who can be a Councillor? Anyone of voting age.
Have a connection either via work or residence in the local authority area they wish to stand for.
So long as they have not committed certain crimes of dishonesty, have spent more than 3 months in jail in last 5 years or work in a politically restricted position.
Councillors current salary is about £17,000

4. Role of a Councillor Represent the interests of your community.
Represent the interests of your council.
Making decisions.
Constituency Case work.
Providing scrutiny for the workings of the Council.

5. Monday
8.00
Meeting with planning dpt
10.00
Group Meeting
15.00
Leisure Review
Group
19.15
Moray Labour
Tuesday
09.30
Housing Committee
14.15
Tenants Panel
19.00
Community Council
Wednesday
Health Committee
14.00 Area based review
16.30
Housing Case
18.00
Academy Prize Giving
Thursday
Local Review Body
14.00 Andersons Board
18.30
Moray Housing
Friday
Head Teacher interviews
ASB Case meeting
Moray Business Awards Ceremony
Saturday
Church Coffee Morning
11.00
Bishopmill Primary Fete
12.30
Litter pick
City v Clyde
Sunday

6. Potential issues for councillors to deal with…
Talk to your partner and create a list of potential issues councillors might have to deal with

7. Issue 1
A significant local building held in Common Good trust has been sitting derelict for years. The Council is obliged to keep it wind and watertight but nothing else. It will cost several million to fix but there are community groups that are demanding it is restored.

8. Issue 2
An ongoing dispute between local residents and the local bus company has resulted in a bus service being withdrawn. This has resulted in a sheltered housing complex losing its primary transport route. They are scared they will be isolated in their homes now this service is gone.

9. Issue 3
In order to save money the Council has proposed to close a number of smaller libraries. None of these are in your ward but you have been contacted by groups from these areas looking for your support. This will result in significant savings at a time of financial hardship.

10. Issue 4
In order to assist the growth of the city centre the Council helped create a company funded from business rates to promote and enhance the area. Smaller business feel this is unfair and affects them more than bigger business they are demanding change before they go bust entirely.

11. Council Spending

12. COSLA COSLA stands for Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
This is an organisation which represents all 32 local authorities
So when the Scottish Government (SG) gives funding to councils, it goes to COSLA and COSLA decides how much each council gets
COSLA is supposed to act in the best interests of all councils when negotiating with the SG
Not all councils are happy with COSLA and sometimes councils leave or threaten to leave, meaning that those councils would have to negotiate funding themselves with the SG

13. Council Funding

14. Work for Today… Take the heading “Council Funding” Copy ALL NOTES
Complete the Knowledge Question
Attempt Revision Questions

15. Council Funding Grant aided expenditure
Provided by the Scottish Government (but distributed via COSLA).
Provided based on school roll figures, number of elderly, proportion of roads, population, etc.
Overall figure decided by Scottish Government but distribution decided by COSLA.
Some ring fenced, e.g. money for schools
Around 80% of money to local government

16. Council Funding Council Tax
Set locally by Councils based on property values.
Frozen until 2017 but government recently allowed councils to increase council tax for some people (wealthier)
Around 16% of total income.

19. Council Tax Bands are dependent on the value of a family’s home
Council Tax Bands are dependent on the value of a family’s home. See the table below for the cost of council tax for different bands. A is the cheapest right up to H which is the most expensive.

20. Glasgow Council Spending…

21. Council Funding Fees and Charges
Set locally by Councils using national guidance (Audit Scotland).
Can be in the form of car parking, care fees for elderly, charges for services (e.g. licensing, planning).
Increased dramatically in recent years.
Around 3%

22. Council Funding Individual grants
Available based on specific criteria.
Have to be applied for.
Available from Scottish Government, EU, specific groups (e.g. Historic Scotland)
Generally for capital building works or short term general spending.

23. Knowledge Question
Describe, in detail, how local councils are funded in Scotland. (8 marks)
Ensure that you use the PEE technique – max of three PEES for an 8 marker.

24. Revision Questions
Describe, in detail, how people can participate in democracy in Scotland. (8 marks)
Describe, in detail, the devolved powers of the Scottish Parliament. (8 marks)
Describe, in detail, how MSPs can represent constituents within the constituency. (8 marks)

25. Conflict
Council tax freeze – Councils want the power to raise this to make up shortfalls.
COSLA – Some Councils threatened to leave over changes to funding distribution formula.
Free School meals – Councils feel additional cash is not enough to deliver enhanced service. Questions over need for more cash to enhance serveries in schools.
Funding – Some councillors feel that council funding has been sacrificed to support other services claiming that for every £1 removed from Government budgets 82p is removed from Councils.