Leaders of the break-away group of Labour councils, including Aberdeen, have claimed government chiefs have given the clearest indication yet they will hold funding talks.
Jenny Laing, SLGP convener and Aberdeen City Council leader, travelled down to Edinburgh earlier this week to meet Local Government Minister Kevin Stewart and Communities Secretary Angela Constance.
The group, made up of Aberdeen, Glasgow, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire, have been fighting for recognition from Holyrood since they split with the main council grouping Cosla last year.
The government has frequently said they will only negotiate on issues like funding with the main Cosla group, which is made up of every other local authority.
But following the meeting, Mrs Laing said the government had indicated they were open to more frequent talks with the rebel group.
She said: “The SLGP represents 1.3million people across Scotland so it’s obvious to everyone that we deserve a seat at the table.
“We had a meeting where we made the point that we could no longer be confined to the back of the queue when with it comes to talks.
“We had a reassurance from Ms Constance that she would talk with the first minister about meetings with the SLGP in the future.
“The political landscape is shifting and the Scottish Government needs to work in collaboration with all local authorities to deliver the services we need.”
Speaking after the meeting Ms Constance said: “The meeting with the SLGP was constructive. It’s the sixth meeting between SLGP and Scottish Government ministers and we have agreed a further meeting in due course.
“I also reiterated that ministers across Government are keen to speak to SLGP or individual councils on matters that concern them.
“This underlines our commitment to open and positive dialogue with the group.”
SNP group leader Stephen Flynn called on the council to rejoin the Cosla grouping.
He said: “I think it’s fairly straight forward that if they want to meet with the government the easiest way is to rejoin Cosla.
“I don’t understand why they want to be on the outside shouting in rather than on the inside getting real change.”
