GLASGOW has agreed a budget that targets poverty reduction and a green, community-focused recovery from the coronavirus pandemic - joining the rest of Scotland's local authorities in doing so.

Councillors, meeting virtually, this afternoon passed a joint SNP / Green package that will freeze Council Tax bills in the next financial year and protects education and social care budgets.

Today’s budget included resources to establish an improvement fund for local parks and green spaces, along with an expanded team of neighbourhood co-ordinators to tackle issues at a community level.

It creates a £2m recovery fund to support financial inclusion, access to healthy food and respond to the emerging needs of Glasgow’s communities as the city begins its recovery from the Covid-19 emergency.

Members also agreed capital investment in repairs; back courts and lanes; outdoor play for children, and £1 million of work at Whitehill pool.

The pool is one of more than 90 Glasgow Life venues being readied to reopen after lockdown, thanks to a £100 million income guarantee backed by the council.

City Treasurer Cllr Ricky Bell said: “These are extraordinary circumstances – and it will take our city some time to properly recover from the social and economic trauma of the pandemic.

“That is why it is important that our budget decisions, in this year of all years, provide the targeted support that our communities and the most vulnerable people in them need.

“As Glasgow prepares to host the world at COP26, our budget also recognises that covid recovery and addressing the climate emergency are inseparable.

“These aren’t distant, intangible targets. They are about building better lives in healthier neighbourhoods; addressing challenges around the cost of living, and creating new opportunities for education and employment.”

Stirling Council earlier stressed its desire to send a "clear message of support" to communities during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, a message echoed across Scotland's council areas.

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All other councils have also agreed to a freeze.

The authorities are to receive a cash equivalent to a 3 per cent council tax increase in return for not putting up levels, as part of the Scottish government's spending plans for the coming year.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes last month insisted the cash settlement for councils in next year’s Budget is fair – despite claims that she is “short-changing” local government.

The Herald:

Ms Forbes was pressed on the issue after local government body Cosla claimed councils are not getting enough cash to fully fund the Scottish Government’s public pay policy.

Cosla resources spokeswoman Gail Macgregor also warned that if the additional money authorities will receive is not maintained, Scots could be facing a council tax hike of 6% in 2022-23.

Ms Forbes refused to say if the funding can be continued, as she is “not in a position to determine what the envelope is for next year’s budget”.

But with the Scottish draft Budget for 2021-22 having allocated £11.6 billion to local government, Ms Forbes said: “I do think in short that it is a very fair settlement.”

Convener of Stirling Council’s Finance and Economy Committee, Councillor Margaret Brisley, said: “The past year has been like nothing we’ve ever seen before and families all across the Stirling Council area have been hit hard financially.

“We have been able to make this decision thanks to extra grant funding coming from the Scottish Government which, after almost a year of Covid-19, we hope will bring some relief to those who are struggling to make ends meet.”

Cllr Alison Laurie, vice convener of Finance and Economy, added: “Council tax is a local authority’s main source of funding outside of the Government grant, so the decision to freeze this essential source of income which funds our essential services was one which has to be balanced with changes to spending elsewhere.

“However, having seen the impact Covid has had on our communities and residents over the past year, we felt it was only right to try to give our citizens one less thing to worry about.

“It remains our commitment to make Stirling a place where everyone can thrive and holding Council tax at its current rate will hopefully give our residents a bit of extra breathing space in their monthly budgets.”

READ MORE: iPads for all secondary school pupils during the pandemic in a Scots city budget plan

Likewise in Aberdeen, "the welfare of citizens was the clear focus" behind the council's unanimous decision to freeze council tax on Wednesday. 

Aberdeen City Council’s Housing spokesperson Councillor Sandra Macdonald said: “The last year has been hard for us all due to the pandemic, which is why I am delighted that the Council has agreed to freeze all rents and fees and charges from May 3, not just for this coming financial year but for the following financial year too.

“As we reflect on the many challenges and difficulties people have experienced over the last year, this budget aims to provide a little bit of respite for our tenants.   

“This together with the significant investment in our current housing estate and future developments means that we as a Council set a standard for others to aspire too.

“Everything we do as a Council is about the renewal of our city: economic, environmental, and social. We have to use every means at our disposal to promote that renewal and to promote the good health and wellbeing of our citizens.”