Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston is calling on SNP ministers to pass on money received from the UK Government to hard-pressed Moray Council.
The Conservative MSP said: “The Scottish Government has received an extra £155m through Barnett Consequentials which is specifically intended to help local councils with the costs of the coronavirus pandemic. An equivalent sum is being provided to local authorities south of the border.
“The UK government made the announcement over six weeks ago but Moray Council is still waiting for the money, despite Scottish ministers promising that they would pass it on.
“Given the track record of the SNP in prioritising their own pet political projects it is perhaps not surprising that we require more than promises before we believe that the money will actually arrive here in Moray.
“We need to see the cash in the bank so that the Council can get on with its vital tasks confident that it won’t fall into a financial black hole.”
Councillor Tim Eagle, Leader of the Conservative Group on Moray Council, added: “We believe that we are owed about £2.6m.
“We very badly need this financial assistance as it falls to the Council to deliver so many of the services, including social care and schooling, that our communities rely on during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our people are doing a great job and they deserve support.
“With the Council’s costs up, and our income down, and facing a budgetary crisis anyway, the transfer from the UK Government is absolutely essential and must not be delayed by the Holyrood middlemen.”
