Scottish council leaders yesterday deferred a decision on revisiting a controversial national funding split which could net north-east authorities millions more a year.
Members of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) will consider the issue in April after asking for more information on calculations from Finance Secretary John Swinney.
The cash settlement for councils has come under intense scrutiny over the past week, with Aberdeen’s Labour-led coalition being accused of “betraying” the city by siding with central party colleagues.
Mr Swinney said the Aberdeen authority could have secured an extra £7.5million if coalition leaders had voted against other Labour councils.
Aberdeenshire and Moray would also have received a larger Scottish Government allocation, which accounts for about 80% of funding for local authorities.
Meanwhile, in an ongoing political power struggle, Glasgow yesterday became the sixth authority – including Aberdeen – to threaten to quit Cosla.
Plans to change voting structures at the body, which is dominated by Labour, as well as wrangles over the funding split, have driven councils to announce their intention to leave.
Yesterday, Aberdeen’s finance convener Willie Young came under fire for failing to speak up for the city at the leaders meeting in Edinburgh.
Callum McCaig, SNP group leader in Aberdeen, said: “Yet again Councillor Young has put the Labour party before the people of Aberdeen.
“Not only did Councillor Young not vote to accept £7.5million, he also failed to even say one word on the subject at the meeting.
“He has gone to Cosla and not voiced the needs of the people of Aberdeen.
He is saying one thing in Aberdeen and nothing at Cosla.”
But Mr Young insisted he would vote for a better deal, even if that meant opposing his Labour colleagues.
He said: “What I have said is that if there is more money for Aberdeen, then I will vote for it.
“But the most important thing here is for John Swinney to justify his workings on the figures – our officers are estimating we are owed more than £7.5million.”
Aberdeenshire Council leader Jim Gifford said he was “happy” to have the chance to revisit the funding deal in April.
He said: “We are glad we can have a look again and we will have the figures.”