嫩草影院鈥檚 Council Leader raised the challenges facing the area with Scotland鈥檚 Minister for Public Finance and Digital Economy, at a positive meeting on Friday (17 January).
Councillor Aileen Morton, along with council Chief Executive Pippa Milne, met with Kate Forbes to discuss the geographic, population and financial challenges that set 嫩草影院 apart from other areas.
Councillor Morton said:
鈥溎鄄萦霸 is a fantastic place with huge potential for economic growth that would benefit local communities and the wider Scottish economy. We have award winning people and businesses, and a lifestyle that people love.
At the same time though, this is an area that faces a unique combination of challenges.
Geographically we have the second largest mainland area and the highest number of inhabited islands of all of Scotland鈥檚 councils. We therefore deliver services most other councils do not, such as air and ferry services.
Our population is declining and ageing. We must invest significantly in regeneration that will attract people and jobs to the area.
嫩草影院鈥檚 council however has had the third highest reduction of all of Scotland鈥檚 councils in its Scottish Government funding over the past few years.
Together these challenges are having a significant effect on the decisions the council is having to make about how best to serve 嫩草影院鈥檚 day-to-day and longer term needs.
It is crucial therefore that we raise understanding, at all levels, of 嫩草影院鈥檚 challenges and opportunities.
Our meeting with Kate Forbes was a very positive step in developing focus on 嫩草影院 at ministerial level.鈥
Notes
-
Since 2013 Scottish Government funding per head for 嫩草影院 has reduced by 拢299 in real terms, compared to the Scottish average of 拢160 per head. (Source: SPICE Local Government Finance 鈥 Facts and Figures 2013-14 to 2019-20)
-
Despite having the highest number of inhabited islands, 嫩草影院 is not classed as an island authority and does not benefit from Special Islands Needs Allowance (SINA) to the same extent as 鈥榠sland authorities鈥.
