Current status: Answered by Tom Arthur on 2 June 2023
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recent Accounts Commission report, Local government in Scotland: Overview 2023, published in May 2023, which concluded that "radical change" is required if councils are to maintain services, whether it will provide an update on its discussions regarding a new deal for local government.
The New Deal includes collaborative work on a Fiscal Framework for Local Government, alongside a new Partnership Agreement. Following the First Minister’s introductory meeting with COSLA President, Councillor Morrison, on 31 March, work on the Partnership Agreement has progressed at pace. The Scottish Government has also undertaken intensive collaborative work on a Fiscal Framework for local government and will continue to work with COSLA over the coming months to agree further substantial aspects of a Fiscal Framework alongside the Partnership Agreement.