Aberdeen council chiefs are hoping for a better relationship with the Scottish Government following talks in Edinburgh.
Relations between Holyrood and Marischal College have been icy for at least the past six years, with a suggestion even put forward in 2014 to ban Alex Salmond and all his ministers from the city.
Local authority leaders have constantly complained of being the country’s lowest funded council per head of population and accused Holyrood of not doing enough to help the city during the oil and gas downturn- especially with the recent business rates crisis.
The Scottish Government has always argued that the council is fairly funded and that the 85% floor funding policy has resulted in services being protected.
This week, council co-leaders Conservative Douglas Lumsden and Aberdeen Labour’s Jenny Laing met Finance Secretary Derek Mackay to challenge him on what they claimed was £1.6million missing from the government grant due to the floor policy.
Mr Mackay told the pair the money would not be forthcoming but was “positive” on potential further powers being devolved to the city.
Mrs Laing said: “Disappointingly Mr Mackay, whilst conceding that over the last three years Aberdeen City Council has been below the 85% floor, confirmed that he is unwilling to take steps to rectify that position which means our budget allocation remains £1.6 million less than expected.
“On a positive note however, the discussions around additional powers, investment in economic growth and business rates revaluation were more encouraging and he appeared receptive to our suggestion for a closer working relationship which we believe will benefit not just Aberdeen but Scotland and the UK as a whole.”
Mr Lumsden said: “It is in everyone’s interest to work together more closely and be more collaborative on issues.
“But first and foremost is my role as an elected member for Aberdeen and I will never stop standing up for the north-east.”
Mr Mackay said: “I am pleased to have had a positive and productive discussion with the co-leaders of Aberdeen City Council. I am committed to working closely with our partners in local government to deliver vital local services and support sustainable economic growth.”