Pros and cons of last week’s big plans

Presenting their final revenue budget for 2018/19 which focused on four “themes”– children and families, fairness, local infrastructure and rural economic development – Perth and Kinross coalition councillors approved the following additional spends last week:

●A £250,000 investment into technology to support a new digital learning strategy in schools.

●A recurring yearly £35,000 investment in Instrumental Music Services to expand opportunities for children from more deprived backgrounds to take part in and benefit from music tuition.

●A recurring yearly £40,000 investment in Growbiz to support expansion into other areas of rural Perthshire to assist with micro business start ups and those becoming self-employed.

●A recurring yearly £20,000 to cover the cost of two part-time staff working at Perth Foodbank.

●An extra £300,000 per year over the next two years to fund a range of road safety measures including £150,000 a year for vehicle-activated signs and to implement new 20 mph limits and zones.

●An extra £600,000 per year over the next two years to create a fund for communities in each ward to apply for a share of up to £50,000 annually for projects or works recommended by community representatives and local elected members.

●A £300,000 investment to help fund the development and expansion of rural footpaths and cycle networks.

Meanwhile, price increases for council services as well as proposed cuts which were approved as a result of last week’s revenue budget being passed included:

●The cost of school meals going up by 5p both in 2018/19 and 2020/21.

●The price of on and off street parking going up 10p per hour in 2019/2020.

●A further £5 being added to the £25 garden waste charge both in 2019/20 and 2020/21.

●The charge for using public toilets except those in Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Blairgowrie going up to 50p.

●A review of the council’s Kids Club charging policy and staff complement to save £56,000.

●The closure of loss-making Breakfast Clubs to save £70,000.

●A reduction in the council’s traffic and network staff to save £160,000.

●A reduction in the public transport budget – which will result in the cancellation of some less well-used services – to save £50,000.

●A reduction in planning/ development management and building standards staff to save £80,000.

●A reduction in environmental and consumer services staff to save £140,000.

●A reduction in customer services staff – those answering telephone calls and mail, processing planning applications, etc. – to save £64,000.

●A reduction in regulatory services staff – those working in upholding trading standards, food safety, etc. – to save £145,000.

●A review of the council’s housing and community safety support services to save £196,000.