Aberdeenshire communities have been “broken in two” for years due to swindling funding settlements from the SNP government, MSPs heard today.
The local authority is the fourth-lowest funded Scottish council by head of population, getting around 10% less funding than the national average.
But it is the third most expensive to run, which has produced a decline in residents’ “biggest priority” according to Aberdeenshire West MSP Alexander Burnett.
At Holyrood, SNP finance secretary Shona Robison was challenged to eliminate the historical inequality of financing from Holyrood.
Scottish Conservative Mr Burnett said:
“It’s clear from conversations with constituents that local services are their biggest priority.
“Overstretched and underfunded by this SNP government, from potholes that will not be fixed, grit bins being removed and bridges closed, breaking communities in two.
“Park Bridge closed in 2019 and Aboyne bridge closed in 2023, and these are just two examples of over 50 bridges in Aberdeenshire at risk.”
Ms Robison said this year’s financial settlement represented “record funding for local government and for Aberdeenshire Council”, adding: “Now it is up to each council to decide the infrastructure priorities that it takes forward. And of course, we help with the capital allocations to local government. And of course they have the ability to borrow to take forward infrastructure investment projects.
Mr Burnett said later:
“Shona Robison used one year’s budget with a slight increase as a fig leaf for years of historical inequality.
“The North East is the engine room of Scotland’s economy but public services have been hammered almost to the point of no return. Meanwhile, Aberdeenshire residents are getting less and paying more for their trouble.
“The SNP need to start giving Aberdeenshire a fair share of resources that takes the biggest road and bridge network into account. People in Aboyne, Durris and Drumoak won’t take spin for an answer.”
