The Concordat between local and national government is already starting to deliver benefits, according to Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney.

Swinney told the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ annual conference in St Andrews he was confident the historic agreement would stand the test of time.
 
"Those critics who said the Concordat will not work must recognise that, working together, we are already starting to deliver,” he said.

“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.”

Joint work was well underway to deliver single outcome agreements which would set out exactly what each council was to deliver with the resources available to it, he added. He promised to engage “fully and directly” with councils on the government’s plans to introduce local income tax. There had also been an agreement to review the distribution methodology for the local government funding settlement.
 
“I believe the deal we struck will stand the test of time,” said Swinney. “We have set out an ambitious agenda and we have made a good start. The challenge now is to sustain and build on that.
 
“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.”