LOCAL AUTHORITIES are rising to challenges set by Scotland’s new SNP government, according to Finance Secretary John Swinney.

Speaking at the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) conference in St Andrews yesterday, he said the agreement between local and national government was already delivering benefits for the people of Scotland.

He was confident the historic agreement would stand the test of time.

Addressing the conference on its final day, he said, “Those critics who said the concordat will not work must recognise that, working together, we are already starting to deliver.

“We have achieved a council tax freeze in Scotland, providing much needed relief for householders facing pressure from rising bills in areas like food and fuel.

“It is a clear milestone of success for our concordat.

“I do not underestimate the task ahead but local government has risen to the challenge since last summer.

“And I believe the deal we struck will stand the test of time.

“We have set out an ambitious agenda and we have made a good start. The challenge now is to sustain and build on that,” Mr Swinney added.

He also said there was joint agreement to review how the local government funding settlement was delivered and that national government would engage with local government when it published its plans to introduce a local income tax.

“It is clear that together we can achieve more than we ever could separately.

“Together we will make this a more successful and prosperous country for the people of Scotland.”