Council funding deadline is extended for more talks

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35369176

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Councils are to get more time to consider the Scottish government's plans for funding them for the coming year.

Local authorities were supposed to tell the government by Friday whether they would accept the deal, but said the money on offer was less than expected.

Several of them had indicated they may not be able to decide whether to accept the package before the deadline.

Finance Secretary John Swinney has agreed to set a new cut-off date.

In the meantime, talks will continue between councils and the government over some of the details of the funding offer.

Mr Swinney said he expects the discussions to conclude shortly.