The Scottish finance secretary has spoken about the importance of innovation, as local authorities try to weather the economic downturn.
Speaking at a Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ conference, John Swinney said central government had stepped back from micro-managing councils in order to give them an ‘increased flexibility’ to respond to local issues and support their economies.
Swinney said the more productive relationship between central and local government was delivering ‘greater efficiency and better services’.
‘As we face mounting expenditure pressures and potential reductions in overall levels of public funds over the next few years, we must continue to innovate and seek opportunities to share services effectively – within and between councils, government and all parts of the public sector – to ensure we make best use of the public pound.’ He highlighted eProcurement Scotland and the new Recruitment Portal for Local Government as examples of where an efficient use of resources had made savings.
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