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As ever, the calculation formula for local government—in which I, Des McNulty and others are well educated—tries to reflect some of the difficulties that those authorities face.
In the practical development of the budget documents, there is liaison with departments across the piece, both through the Finance and Central Services Department and through our work in the equality unit, to ensure that information on equality is given.
Certainly, if such a problem were to arise before a new spending review, we would have to move funds from one heading to another.With SEPA's liaison, we have been encouraging local authorities to try to get a better handle on local projects by developing them to a stage at which a number can be put on them.
It is important to keep that flexibility so that we can respond to community bodies that have expressed concern about the matter. However, the fundamental policy imperative is to create as many new crofts as possible.
However, our members are professional chartered surveyors and will always have the option to go into the private sector if that occurs. The concern that has been expressed is more to do with the local authorities' independence.