Browsing Tag
local authorities
12 posts
Pretty vacant: Local authorities and tax havens own hundreds of empty properties
Local authorities own over 1,100 vacant properties in Scotland’s cities while real estate investors, tax haven firms and others are responsible for more than 500 high street vacancies.
Weed killer linked to cancer still used by every Scots council
Nearly every Scottish council is still using a weed killer linked to cancer and biodiversity loss, with new figures obtained by The Ferret showing that around 40,000 litres of the herbicide are being used across the country each year.
Council contracts with debt collectors worth up to £20m
Local authorities have been accused of issuing “escalating threats” to people behind on their council tax, after The Ferret found they have contracts worth up to £20m with debt collectors.
FFS explains: What powers do councils have?
Ferret Fact Service looks at what powers councils have, ahead of the upcoming local elections.
Thousands of disabled people left in unsuitable housing
Thousands of disabled Scots who applied for a funding grant to adapt their home are stuck in unsuitable housing.
Parents can still face thousands in nursery fees when deferring school for four-year-olds
Parents are calling for an end to the postcode lottery on funding for primary school deferral as figures show dozens were refused by councils last year.
Councils failing to tackle climate crisis, says report
Plans by Scottish local authorities to cut carbon pollution are “deeply insufficient” and will cause Scotland to keep missing climate targets.
Ban private firms from auditing Scotland’s public spending, urges report
The Scottish Government should ban private firms from auditing local authorities’ accounts as their involvement is an obstacle to transparency and democracy, claims a new report.
Covid cash cover-up prompts call for transparency probe
The Scottish Government has been advising other public bodies on how to prevent the release of covid-19 spending information.
