Image source, bbc

Vicki Bibby, also of COSLA, says there is a cash cut of £237m - this is comparison of like for like services - despite the increase in overall cash.

Ms Bibby cites the ringfenced funding for early years, arguing it is not being fully funded.

Cllr Gail Macgregor explains the aspiration is to continue to deliver early years care but it will have to be at the expense of something else in the council.

Mr Dornan asks if COSLA asked for more funding for social care, to which Ms Macgregor replies yes.

She points out that the additional funding for this and for Frank's Law is coming at the expense of the core funding.

Cllr Gail Macgregor highlights local authorities deliver 60% of services set out in the National Performance Framework.

But she warns funding issues will make it difficult to make these aspirations reality.

Convener James Dornan says social care, education, childcare and others are all core services.

Cllr Macgregor accepts this is the case, but says councils must continue to fund what is already being delivered.

In particular, she welcomes funding for the expansion of childcare but adds that the 600 hours already being provided must be maintained.

The COSLA rep warns that the £237m "shortfall" in the budget can only be taken from 42% of the overall budget due to ringfencing.

Image source, SPICe

According to SPICe..., external

"The total allocation to local government in the 2019-20 Budget is £10,779.9 million... This represents a 2.5% increase in cash terms, or a 0.7% increase in real terms.

"Once Revenue funding within other portfolios (but still from the Scottish Government to local authorities) is included, the total is £11,071.2 million, a cash increase of 3.8% (£405.1 million), or 2% (£210.5 million) in real terms. This £210 million real terms figure was used by the Cabinet Secretary as the headline Local Government figure in his Budget speech.

"However, when looking specifically at the non-ringfenced Revenue funding available for councils to deliver services this falls by 1.7% (-£157.2 million) in cash terms, or 3.4% (-£319.1 million) in real terms between 2018-19 and 2019-20."

Image source, bbc

Cllr Gail Macgregor from COSLA says: "Bluntly the draft settlement as it is will impact jobs, frontline services and economic growth."

Ms Macgregor says the draft budget sees a cash reduction to core revenue budgets of £237m or 2.4%.

There is also a cash cut to the core capital budget of £17m or 2% , she explains.

The COSLA representative says her figures may differ from SPICe but do reconcile with them.

As announced the draft budget will have a significant impact on councils and communities, she adds.

"Scottish councils are at the mercy of the Scottish government."

The first panel of the day involves:

• Cllr Gail Macgregor from COSLA, external
• Vicki Bibby, also of COSLA
• Annemarie O'Donnell from SOLACE Scotland, external

Image source, Getty Images

The local government committee will begin very shortly.

Today is is undertaking budget scrutiny and is set to here from local authority representatives, as well as Finance Secretary Derek Mackay and Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell.

Read the committee papers here. , external

And more about its scrutiny here. , external

Image source, PA

Welcome to Holyrood Live on Wednesday 9 January 2019.

The local government committee presses Finance Secretary Derek Mackay on his budget plans, after COSLA and SOLACE Scotland give evidence.

Image source, Getty Images

After portfolio questions, the government will make a statement on improving animal welfare.

Then it will then lead a debate recognising the life sciences sector.

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald will then celebrate the Rotary Club of Currie Balerno’s recycling of PCs.