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Call for greater co-operation between Scots and English councils

Councillor Barney Crockett says Aberdeen's economy could attract organised crime syndicates such as the Camorra
Councillor Barney Crockett says Aberdeen's economy could attract organised crime syndicates such as the Camorra

A former Aberdeen City Council leader has called for greater co-operation between English and Scottish local authorities.

Barney Crockett was speaking after appearing at the annual conference of the Local Government Association of England and Wales this week.

The Labour councillor was on a panel at the event in Bournemouth as a representative of the Better Together campaign against Scottish independence.

He told delegates, who were discussing the possible implications of September’s referendum result, there would be great benefits from “working together”.

Some of the English and Welsh councillors in attendance wanted to see the end of the Barnett formula, the mechanism by which the Treasury allocates the amount of public spending for Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Detractors claim that Scotland does too well out of the Barnett formula, and there have been calls to reform the system to provide a fairer settlement for UK regions.

However, Mr Crockett said that changes would not necessarily benefit England.

He added: “What we have to look at are more powers being devolved to local government, particularly on economic matters.

“There needs to be closer co-operation – there hasn’t been much in the way of working together between local authorities in Scotland and England for many years.

“There was a good response to that from the delegates.”

Mr Crockett, convener of enterprise, strategic planning and infrastructure at Aberdeen City Council, also said he felt Scottish cities such as Aberdeen were in danger of being left behind in the UK Government’s City Deal scheme.

Glasgow this week followed a number of English cities in being granted the status after an announcement from Prime Minister David Cameron.

The City Deal provides groundbreaking powers including the ability to “earn back” tax from the UK Treasury, control transport budgets and plug skills gaps.

The UK Government has pledged £500milllion for Glasgow, which civic leaders in Aberdeen believe is good news for the north-east authority, which is also lobbying for a similar boost.