Chamber and committees

On Tuesday, I asked Donna Bell whether from a rural perspective the Government envisaged there being any additional cost to councils because of the bill. Her response was:

“No. We have not included any additional costs to councils.”—[Official Report, Finance and Public Administration Committee, 24 January 2024; c 30.]

Do you think that that was a fair comment? Do you envisage any additional costs to councils because of the bill?

They do not always agree with you on the results of the negotiations.

I want to stay on that point. You have talked about the fact that there was previously resistance from some stakeholders. Are councils still raising issues around funding? I do not necessarily mean COSLA, although I recognise that COSLA represents councils across Scotland. Are individual councils still raising concerns about costs and potential costs?

Although whoever happens to be in the room will be representing all areas, their experience might be of a large urban council rather than a small island council. There is a need to ensure that those areas where it is perhaps more difficult to deliver, because of the particular challenges that are faced there, are represented when it comes to strategy.

So councils could be asked to bring on more staff. Are those costs included in the estimates?

Would you expect councils to take on additional staff?

Right. But that cost will not be met from the bill.

The cost of carer breaks will be paid to councils by the Scottish Government. Will that be guaranteed every year?

How would that take other factors into account? For example, I imagine that you hope that the bill will increase awareness of carers, their responsibilities and support for them. How does it take into account the possibility of more people coming forward as unpaid carers and saying that they need and should be entitled to the payment?

Could the cost exceed the estimates?