North councils have axed almost 5,000 full-time jobs during spending squeeze
In the first part of this week’s P&J series on local government finance, Calum Ross today finds out how council workforces have shrunk in recent years.
Cosla
Renfrewshire Council overpaid staff and ex-workers £812,000, watchdog reveals
A local authority in Scotland overpaid staff and former workers by more than £800,000 in less than three years, spending watchdogs have revealed.
Renfrewshire Council overpaid staff and ex-workers £812,000, watchdog reveals
A local authority in Scotland overpaid staff and former workers by more than £800,000 in less than three years, spending watchdogs have revealed.
Teachers accept 13% pay proposal after ‘successful campaign’
Teachers across Scotland have overwhelmingly accepted a 13% pay proposal with their campaign heralded a significant success.
Proposed Aberdeen community centre given £2m Scottish Government boost
Plans for a £25 million community centre on the grounds of a former Aberdeen school have been given a major boost.
Teaching union sets date for potential strike action
Scotland’s largest teaching union has announced the date of potential strike action.
Cosla warns local government funding cuts are ‘unsustainable’
Council umbrella body Cosla has warned that funding cuts mean local government performance is “simply unsustainable” longer term.
Council workers accept pay offer
Scotland’s largest union for local government workers has announced its members have voted overwhelmingly to accept a new pay offer.
Strike threat ramps up as union members reject local government pay deal
Unite union members have voted to reject the latest pay offer from Cosla for local government workers, increasing the threat of industrial action.
Moray Council leader continuing campaign for more cash after Scottish Government budget announcement
The leader of Moray Council says the fight is continuing to ensure it gets a better funding deal from the Scottish Government.
Calls for Moray to be put forward for Scottish pilot scheme to establish negotiated sites for travellers
Moray could be put forward for a new pilot scheme in Scotland which would establish negotiated sites for travellers.
Grants for school uniform to benefit families across north and north-east
Families across the north and north-east will benefit from grants for school uniform.
Trade union urges Scottish council workers to reject pay rise offer
Council workers have been urged by a trade union to reject a pay rise amid claims it would “only increase disparity” between staff and bosses.
Young refugee embracing life in the North
A young refugee has revealed touching details about his new life - and warm welcome - on a Hebridean island for the first time.
Newly-formed group at Moray Council hits out at ‘undemocratic’ leadership
The Scottish Government and Cosla have been called on to intervene after allegations Moray Council is being run as an “undemocratic dictatorship”.
Row breaks out over Scottish Government council funding “error”
A dispute erupted last night over fears that an “error” has left north and north-east councils facing a further funding cut by the Scottish Government.
Moray considers raising council tax above 3% cap
Moray Council is weighing up the consequences of raising council tax by more than the 3% allowed by the Scottish Government.
New Scottish Labour leader brands the chancellor’s Budget a failure
New Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard branded the chancellor’s Autumn Budget a failure – and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said Britain had plunged “deep in the relegation zone”.
North-east Labour councillor named president of Scottish council governing body
North-east Labour councillor Alison Evison has been elected president of the body which governs local authorities in Scotland.
Crunch talks due over Aberdeen City Council rejoining Cosla
Crunch talks will take place on whether Aberdeen City Council will re-join the negotiating body Cosla at the first full meeting of the authority after the election.
Councils to band together against government grant cuts
Councils across the north will consider a "collective response" to the latest expected cut in their government grants as a result of this week's budget statement.
COSLA president “embarrrassed” by SNP council tax changes
The president of the umbrella group for Scotland's councils has branded the SNP's tax plans "an offence against local democracy".
Argyll council boss given top Cosla job
The woman who holds the top job at Argyll and Bute Council has today been announced as the new chief executive of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla).
Row breaks out as Aberdeenshire councillors fail in bid to reclaim Cosla expenses
Opposition councillors in Aberdeenshire will not be allowed to claim expenses for attending meetings representing the local authority on a national stage.
Opposition leader calls for all councillors to take part in COSLA
A senior north-east councillor has called on the local authority to cover the expenses of opposition members representing the council on the national stage.
North-east councils facing crippling budget cuts
Councils in north-east Scotland are facing crippling budget cuts following John Swinney's budget.
Argyll and Bute Council could face a fine after failing to meet “ill thought out” teacher targets
Argyll and Bute Council could have its funding slashed by the Scottish Government after it failed to meet strict teacher recruitment targets.
Moray Council could face penalty after missing “ill thought out” teacher target
Moray Council could have its funding slashed by the Scottish Government after it failed to meet strict teacher recruitment targets.
Row breaks out among Aberdeen councillors over Scottish Government funding
A furious row broke out yesterday between Aberdeen City Council's ruling administration and the opposing SNP group over the decision to withdraw from a national body.
Chancellor George Osborne announces overhaul of business rates
George Osborne has announced English councils will be handed control of business rates - prompting calls for the Scottish Government to follow suit.
Aberdeenshire only council to buck staff lay-off trend
A north-east council has bucked the trend by being the only Scottish local authority to increase its workforce.
Councils urged to ease burden on taxpayers by selling of unneeded assets
Local authorities across the north and north-east have been urged to sell off vacant buildings and empty plots of land to ease the financial burden on taxpayers.