Orkney delegation in funding talks

Orkney MSP, Liam McArthur OIC’s Convener, Stephen Hagan and Chief Executive, Albert Tait met with Finance Secretary, John Swinney to discuss on-going concerns about the disparity between the funding provided to Orkney Islands Council and that allocated to Shetland and the Western Isles.

Commenting after the meeting, which took place yesterday, Mr McArthur said: “The relative underfunding of Orkney compared to the other island authorities is not a new problem. The current squeeze on council budgets, however, brings the issue into sharper focus as cuts to local services are made or planned that are deeper than they would be were this disparity to be addressed.

“In that context, the meeting with the Finance Secretary could not have been more timely. John Swinney is well aware of the background to this issue and he engaged constructively with myself, the Council Convener and Chief Executive.