Viewsare wantedon SLCcuts

Residents in Rutherglen and Cambuslang are being urged to have their say on the latest budget proposals from South Lanarkshire Council.

The local authority say that the plans are designed to try and protect key frontline services as far as possible, despite a warning that as much as £23.529 million will need to be saved from the budget next year.

Pressures continue to rise on public sector budgets, including those of local authorities which have faced increases in costs and in demand for services at a time when funding has declined or remained static.

In addition, there have been no rises in locally-set council tax rates for nine years.

As a result, the council says it has already been forced to find more than £100m in efficiencies in recent years, and council leader John Ross said it was a real challenge to find yet more savings for 2018/19.

He said: “These proposals are now with all councillors for their consideration and I am sure that everyone will have a view about what is acceptable and what is not.

“However, everyone needs to understand that the budget has to balance – so any savings that come out have to be replaced with something else.

Residents can get more information on budget proposals at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/ savings and there is a dedicated email address – savings@ southlanarkshire.gov.uk – for the submission of comments and suggestions. Representations will also be welcomed by post, to: Savings consultation, South Lanarkshire Council, Almada Street, Hamilton ML3 0AA.