The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
‘Difficult’ Angus budget passed
Council tax to rise and 600 local authority jobs to go
Angus Council’s leader has said the authority budget – intended to bridge an £18 million funding gap – is the “most difficult” he has witnessed in his time as a councillor.
The 2018/19 spending plans will result in a 3% council tax increase, the loss of 600 local authority jobs in the next three years and the return of parking charges to local streets.
They were passed at a meeting in Forfar without an alternative budget being put up by the opposition SNP group.
However, concerns were raised about education cuts – including teacher and support staff reductions – as well as winter maintenance moves, which will mean fewer footpaths are cleared, and fresh fears over the future of recycling centres in Monifieth and Kirriemuir.
“There are savings put forward today I would rather have not had to do,” said Angus Council leader Bob Myles.
An Angus budget, drawn up to address an £18 million shortfall, was described by the authority’s leader as the toughest he has ever seen.
The package paves the way for a 3% increase in council tax, the loss of up to 600 jobs in the next three years and the introduction of parking charges on October 1.
It was passed unanimously yesterday without an alternative put up by the opposition SNP group.
However, concerns over the impact on teacher numbers and school staff, as well as the future of local recycling centres, were highlighted.
Coalition administration finance convener, Angus Macmillan Douglas, said it was set against a “backcloth of a number of significant financial challenges”.
“It is easy to forget Angus Council is a multi-million-pound organisation that provides an enormously diverse range of services,” he added.
“Across all our activities our annual turnover is close to £400m and we employ nearly 5,000 staff.
“Although our consideration of the budget will understandably focus on where savings are being made and additional income generated, it is important to stress that despite those savings we will still be spending substantial sums in the provision of vital public services.”
On the introduction of parking charges, he said: “We must be quite clear that consultation will be on how it is carried out and not on, if or when – it will be from October 1 2018.”
He promised Angus charges would be at “competitive rates”.
Council leader Bob Myles told the Forfar meeting that, as a councillor since 1999, this had been the most difficult budget to achieve.
“Our grant from the Scottish Government has been seriously cut and as that provides around 80% of our income, it puts severe pressure on our staff to achieve a balanced budget and still retain the services our public have come to expect,” he said.
“There will be pressures on the council and there are savings put forward today I would rather not have had to do.
“We heard from teachers’ representatives this morning how reductions may affect the education of our children – we are making every effort to ensure that does not happen.”
Carnoustie independent councillor David Cheape said he found it “unbelievable ” that school secretary posts are to be removed and also hit out against cuts to pupil support staff.
The authority’s strategic director of resources, Mark Armstrong, said the roles were being removed as their budgets had been underutilised, but added the situation would be monitored.
There will be pressures on thecouncil and there are savings put forward today I would rather not have had to do. BOB MYLES