Green MSP Andy Wightman says his party is urging this government and indeed all opposition parties to back "further fiscal devolution to local government".

He also calls for council tax to be replaced with a land and property tax.

The parliament does not have a good record on having serious debates on local government and yet it is quite different from local government elsewhere in Europe, he argues.

"Local government in Scotland is neither local, nor does it govern."

Image source, Getty Images

Most of Scotland's 32 councils are increasingly relying on money from their reserves, according to a report from the public spending watchdog.

The Accounts Commission says some councils are using the reserve funds to keep up with demand for services and balance their budgets.

It said local authorities had faced a 7.6% real terms drop in government funding since 2013/14.

The Scottish government insisted the 2019/20 funding settlement was "fair."

Read more.

The Tory MSP calls for "no more real terms cuts to local government core funding" and an increase in local authority core revenue and capital funding of at least the rate of inflation.

Any new commitments must be funded by the SNP government, he adds.

He says: "For too long local government has been treated as a cash cow by this government."

Mr Fraser tells the chamber his party will back Labour's motion at decision time.

Will there be another government defeat this week? Join us at 5pm to find out.

Mr Fraser says there has been an increase in ring-fencing.

He highlights a concordat agreed with Cosla back in 2007 as part of an initiative to remove ring-fencing but says 13 years on this is long-forgotten.

Any increase in ring-fencing results in pressure on non-protected services he states.

The Tory MSP insists this is happening despite the Scottish budget going up.

The block grant is expected to be higher still this year meaning there is no need for tax rises or cuts to local services this year, he argues.

Image source, Getty Images

The Scottish government is to announce its draft budget plans on 6 February.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay will set out his tax and spending proposals a month ahead of the UK budget, which will not be published until 11 March.

Mr Mackay said it would have been "impossible" to wait for the UK budget as usual while councils and public services need clarity about funding.

Local authorities must set their budgets and councils tax by 11 March.

Read more.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser says this is a timely debate as the budget will take place on 6 February and because his party has just set out its terms on this budget.

Mr Fraser says: "It is true that local government has been the whipping boy of the SNP budget for the last decade."

He says this has happened as the SNP has seen its block grant increase.

Non ring-fenced revenue funding fell by 2.5% in real terms in 2019/20, he adds.

The Tory MSP says the core sums available to councils fell, despite an overall increase in revenue funding when the ring-fenced revenue funding is not included.

Ms Campbell says comparing Scottish councils with those in England shows the level of protection Scottish government decisions have provided.

Labour MSP Alex Rowley says "Tory-fuelled austerity" does play a role, but he says poverty and inequality is not being tackled.

The minister replies tacking poverty and inequality is key, pointing to the empowerment of schools and investments in the learning estate.

But she insists the government is doing all this with "one hand tied behind our back".

She urges MSPs from different parties to be "open and honest" about where any additional spend should come from.

The local government minister tells the chamber the government delivered a council funding package of £11.2bn in 2019/20, which she says is a real terms increase of over £310m.

The cash settlement has risen by 2.4% in this parliament, she argues.

Tory MSP Graham Simpson intervenes to say the Accounts Commission report said that since 2013/14 there has been a real terms cut of 7.6%.

"Where's she getting her figures from?"

Ms Campbell replies if the government had followed Tory plans then South Lanarkshire would have had substantially less funding.

Image source, bbc

Local Government Secretary Aileen Campbell says the government works with local authorities to achieve a country that is fairer, inclusive and with opportunity for all.

There are fiscal challenges, says the minister, but she stresses the importance of partnership working between national and local government.

Ms Campbell says despite Tory cuts the Scottish government has endeavoured to deliver a fair funding settlement to local government.

Councils are calling for an extra billion pounds from the Scottish government to stop cuts to local services.

The local government umbrella body Cosla says the government must "invest in councils before it is too late".

It also says there should be no government-imposed limits on council tax rises.

The Scottish government says it has done its best for councils despite "UK government cuts".

Read more.

There is a growing crisis in the experience and skills within local authorities, Ms Boyack says.

This "experience brain drain" is a direct result of cuts, with staff retiring and not being replaced, she adds.

The Labour MSP insists local government cannot continue to address challenges while it is facing disproportionate cuts from the Scottish government.

SNP MSP Tom Arthur asks what Labour's answer is: would it reduce budgets elsewhere or increase tax?

Well we wouldn't be throwing money into a second independence referendum that's for sure, hits back Ms Boyack.

She says Labour wants to scrap council tax, give councils more revenue raising powers and implement the tourist tax.

Ms Boyack says there needs to be new investment to allow councils to own and operate their own bus services.

The Labour MSP pivots to living independently with dignity, saying it is again councils that support this.

By investing in social care councils are relieving the burden on the NHS, she adds, but warns delayed discharge costs are hampering local authorities' ability to do this.

The Labour MSP insists: "This government should and could have done much better."

Labour MSP Sarah Boyack says a fair settlement for councils would be one where they are not forced again to find "efficiency savings" which are in reality cuts.

Local government in Scotland is as diverse as the communities it serves, but a lack of flexibility in budgets mean many are struggling to meet the education needs of all pupils she argues.

Ms Boyack points to reductions in additional support needs staff or the fact some councils charge for music tuition.

The Labour MSP also says cash-strapped councils are struggling to maintain transport infrastructure.

The obligation to provide some services means non core-funded services, like road budgets,get cut.

Image source, Thinkstock

Scottish Labour are leading a debate entitled 'investing in our future'.

It is focusing on funding for local authorities, ahead of the draft budget being delivered on 6 February.

The party has long called for more cash for councils, expressing concern about cuts to services.

The government has insisted local government has received a fair settlement.

Tory MSP Rachael Hamilton says Marketing Edinburgh has had its funding cut and urges the government to "support the council financially" to help attract tourists in a sustainable way.

Mr Macpherson says the government provided £48,500 to support the work around Hogmanay.

International Development Minister Ben Macpherson lists, among other funding:

• £160,000 from Event Scotland International to support the torch light procession run by Edinburgh's Hogmanay
• £48,500 for international marketing support
• £3,000 to the magic festival via the Event Scotland Winter Festival fund

Ms Johnstone says there were concerns commercial interests were trumping community interests.

What can the Scottish government do to protect parks like Princes Street Gardens, she asks.

The minister replies the contract with Underbelly lies solely with Edinburgh City Council.

Mr Macpherson points out the council will undergo a consultation on the future of winter festivals.