A NEW relationship between Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government has been promised by both sides after a top-level meeting in the city.
Finance Secretary John Swinney and Local Government Minister Derek Mackay met with council leader Gordon Matheson and promised a "productive partnership" between the two organisations.
The meeting follows a stormy few years where relations between the Labour-run council and the SNP Government were severely strained on several issues.
Mr Matheson had voiced his opposition to the council tax freeze claiming Mr Swinney put a "gun to the head of Glasgow", forcing the policy on the city. Other fallouts have been over the scrapping of the airport rail link, funding of roads maintenance and demands the city should keep its business rates.
But both have now vowed to work together on important issues.
Mr Swinney said: "We had a productive meeting with Glasgow council leaders focused on our shared commitment to supporting communities and improving health, providing the best start possible for our young people, delivering skills, attracting jobs and improving connections between employees and businesses and businesses and markets through better transport."
Mr Matheson said he would work with the Scottish Government in the key issues.
He said: "A strong partnership between Glasgow City Council and the UK and Scottish Governments is key to ensuring that the city continues to flourish.
"However, this has to be a partnership of equals and I am pleased to hear the Ministers say that they are committed to starting a new relationship with Glasgow."
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