Better Local Services - SNP Manifesto 2017

MANIFESTO 2017

BETTER LOCAL SERVICES STRONGER FOR SCOTLAND

MANIFESTO 2 017 SCOTTISH LOCAL ELELCTIONS

FOREWORD This May, voters in Scotland will choose who they want to represent them on a local level. It’s about deciding the composition of your local council, who deliver vital local services.

SNP Councils across Scotland have delivered, and we’re seeking to go even further - with bold and ambitious policies included in this manifesto.

Since the SNP entered government, ten years ago, we’ve kept the council tax frozen. By the end of next year, it’s our plan to have the council tax replaced with a much fairer local tax.

We’ve made real progress when it comes to education, delivering record exam results from children of all backgrounds - and we’re working hard to close the poverty related attainment gap.

We’ve delivered for businesses with the Small Business Bonus Scheme and Low Business rates, showcasing our commitment to building stronger local economies.

We’ve invested into our transport network, with ScotRail in public hands and free bus travel provision for under 22’s, and it will be local councils who are crucial in implementing it.

That’s why it’s so important to choose SNP councillors to stand up for your community.

In the council elections, candidates should be ranked from 1 being your first choice, and the highest number being your last choice. You should write 1,2,3 next to all the SNP candidates on your ballot paper.

With more SNP councils, local services will be stronger and more reliable.

This May, vote for a stronger Scotland.

NICOLA STURGEON

MANIFESTO 2 017 SCOTTISH LOCAL ELELCTIONS

MORE MONEY FOR FAMILIES Since 2008, the Council Tax has been frozen in Scotland. By the end of 2018, the SNP Government will abolish the unfair Council Tax, and replace it with a fairer alternative.

WE’LL ABOLISH THE UNFAIR COUNCIL TAX -

AND REPLACE IT WITH THE FAIR LOCAL TAX. We’ll establish the Scottish Local Tax Commission to decide the Local Tax rates for earners in each council area.

The Local Tax will be based on median household income, relative to the local area, with different bands of taxation depending on income level.

We’re aiming to deliver a fairer Local Tax, that will raise more funds for councils, by January 2019.

MANIFESTO 2 017 SCOTTISH LOCAL ELELCTIONS

A VOTE FOR TH

P A R L I C S HE NC T OU C AX T

E ER R MO ACH T TE BET & HO SC

HE SNP MEANS...

RS R E T S L O O

R E T IC T BE BL ICES PU RV SE

MANIFESTO 2 017 SCOTTISH LOCAL ELELCTIONS

NATIONAL FRAMEWORK Early Years & Education We will work with the Scottish Government to double the number of funded childcare hours for 3 and 4 year olds to 1,140 hours.

We will raise the standard of pay for Early Years Practitioners by at least 6%.

We will invest like never before into upgrading the Schools Estate, and placing a key focus on upgrading and updating rural schools.

We will prioritise the closing of the poverty-related attainment gap.

We will focus to ‘Get it Right for Every Child’ (GIRFEC) and implement better mental health support services for our young people.

We will continue the uptake of the First Ministers Reading Challenge in schools across Scotland.

We will work to role out the ‘Daily Mile’ for all Primary Schools - in an effort to improve the emotional and social health and wellbeing of our young people.

We will improve green spaces for children to play-in and enjoy outside.

We will continue to roll out free school meals for all primary aged pupils.

We will conduct a National Review of the care system.

Culture & the Arts 2017 is Scotland’s Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, and SNP Councils will support efforts to restore, enhance and conserve the environment and built heritage across Scotland’s communities.

We will introduce principles to showcase local artists within infrastructure projects.

We will increase resource funding for Art Departments and Youth Work schemes.

NATIONAL FRAMEWORK Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform SNP Councils will ensure we can all take pride in our villages, towns, cities and countryside by working to reduce litter, improve recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.

SNP Councils will play their part in meeting Scotland’s climate change ambitions, while ensuring our transition to a low carbon economy delivers opportunities for local people by improving environmental standards and creating jobs.

Where appropriate land is available, SNP Councils will support the planting of woodland which can help prevent flooding and assist in water basin management. We will also explore how our pension funds can invest in Scotland’s forestry.

We will use funding available from the Scottish Energy Efficiency programme (SEEP) to pilot new and innovative approaches to make homes, public buildings and businesses more efficient, driving down bills and emissions.

SNP Councils will revitalise communities by helping local groups take ownership of neglected land and property, with financial backing from the £10 million Scottish Land Fund.

Transport & Infrastructure SNP Councils will continue to support the SNP Government’s investment in infrastructure and the public realm.

SNP Councils will continue to contribute to and enable delivery of digital connectivity in their areas, including supporting delivery of the commitment to provide 100 per cent superfast broadband to all business and premises by 2021.

Scotland’s older people and people with disabilities will continue to be able to travel for free on local or Scottish long distance buses - and we will expand this to include Under 22’s.

We will use funding available from the Scottish Energy Efficiency programme (SEEP) to pilot new and innovative approaches to make homes, public buildings and businesses more efficient, driving down bills and emissions.

SNP Councils will revitalise communities by helping local groups take ownership of neglected land and property, with financial backing from the £10 million Scottish Land Fund.

MANIFESTO 2017

STRONGER FOR SCOTLAND