Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 10 December 2025
10 Dec 2025 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Local Government Services (Community-led Initiatives)
Finance and Local Government
We have confirmation from the Accounts Commission of real-terms increases to local government funding for this year and the past two years at least, which helps to protect services and deliver for local communities. I point out to Alexander Stewart that at no point, so far as I am aware, has any member of his party made local government funding a key priority in the budget discussions. Perhaps there needs to be a little bit more communication of what the priorities are from the Conservative benches.
In the same item of business
1. Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire and Dunblane) (SNP)
SNP
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the contribution that community-led initiatives can make to supporting local government service...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Shona Robison)
SNP
Our recently published public service reform strategy recognises the critical importance of community empowerment to the design and delivery of local service...
Keith Brown
SNP
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the innovative transformation work that is under way in Clackmannanshire, supported by £1 million of investment from t...
Shona Robison
SNP
I agree with that. Although we welcome all investment to support Scotland’s communities, we are strongly opposed to the use of the United Kingdom Internal Ma...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
LD
I ask for supplementary questions to be brief.
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
Audit Scotland has warned that councils are under severe financial pressure this year, with community facilities and local services already being cut back. C...
Shona Robison
SNP
We have confirmation from the Accounts Commission of real-terms increases to local government funding for this year and the past two years at least, which he...
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Glasgow) (Lab)
Lab
The North West Glasgow Voluntary Sector Network supports, connects and advocates for organisations providing vital services to the people who live in the nor...
Shona Robison
SNP
As Pam Duncan-Glancy will know, it is for councils to make decisions about the various organisations that receive funding in their areas. We also provide con...