Local Government Explained
This event is exclusively for LGIU member councils and is free to attend.
Local government finance remains a critical area of concern in the sector. Councils are under sustained pressure from rising costs of statutory services, particularly education and social care; at the same time, residents expect councils to maintain the discretionary services that shape quality of life. This raises a basic but pressing question: what should local government actually be funded to do, and by whom?
This is the second of three sessions exploring the future of local government finance in Scotland. The first session examines council tax and local taxation, and this session will step back to ask a more fundamental question: is the current balance between national and local funding fit for purpose, and could public service reform, or a revised approach to the Revenue Support Grant, offer a way forward?
Key areas of discussion
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What should be funded by the Scottish Government, and what role can local taxes and income play?
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Is the current distribution model working, and is there a need for a radical review of the Revenue Support Grant settlement?
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What can Scotland learn from the Fairer Funding Review in England?
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The role of public service reform.
Speakers
Dr Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU – Jonathan has led LGIU as Chief Executive since February 2013, directing the think tank's policy, membership and influencing work. Jonathan is a national expert on local government transformation, LGR and devolution, local democracy and public services. He is frequently called on to provide strategic advice and facilitation support to local authorities and is a regular expert speaker at national sector conferences throughout the year.
Dr Kevin Muldoon-Smith, University of Northumbria – Kevin is an Associate Professor at Northumbria University and founder of its Adaptation, Value and Built Environment Research Group, with more than 20 years' experience as an academic, author and policy advisor. His work focuses on local government finance systems and the interaction between governance, taxation, land and property markets, including the fiscal decentralisation of business rates in England. He is a frequent commentator on local government finance reform in the national media.
David Robertson, Chief Executive, Scottish Borders Council – David joined Scottish Borders Council in 2011 as Chief Financial Officer, later serving as acting Chief Executive before being confirmed in the role permanently in January 2023. He is a qualified accountant and a graduate of the University of Glasgow, having trained with Lothian Region and worked in various finance roles at the City of Edinburgh Council before joining Borders Council.
Sarah Fortune, Depute Chief Executive for Resources and Economy at East Lothian Council – Sarah is Depute Chief Executive for Resources and Economy at East Lothian Council, and the council's statutory Chief Financial Officer. She was appointed Executive Director for Council Resources in 2021, having previously served as the council's Head of Finance. She currently chairs meetings of s95 officers.
