£2.9m deal struck to help save council services

ARGYLL and Bute Council will receive an extra £2.9m in the next financial year following a budget deal struck between the Green Party and ruling SNP Scottish Government.

The deal, worth £27.2m across the Highlands and Islands, ‘ensures that many proposed cuts to frontline services can now be scaled back and removed entirely’, the Green Party said.

Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie said the ‘monumental’ deal ‘will ensure Argyll and Bute Council’s proposed cuts can now be significantly reduced’.

‘The budget agreement will see those earning lower than average incomes pay less income tax, it will ensure the vast majority of public sector staff – including nurses and teachers – receive a pay rise linked to inflation and provide more investment in communities.’

Leader of Argyll and Bute Council Aileen Morton said: ‘When the local government settlement was first announced in December, Argyll and Bute looked set to be one of the lowest funded councils in Scotland. Our funding was cut by four per cent, compared to the Scottish average of 1.8 per cent. We obviously welcome the announcement of additional funding but will have to take time to consider what this announcement means for our budget decisions.

‘With budget challenges expected to continue for councils in the years to come, setting a responsible budget in February will be about making decisions that best support our communities and our area in the longer term, as well as now.’

Earlier in November, Argyll and Bute Council estimated its budget gap to be between £0.9 million and £8.5 million in 2018-19, and over the next three years, between £11.1 million and £33.9 million.

Council departments identified savings options to help bridge the funding shortfall, which went to a public consultation.

Frontline services face sweeping cutbacks and job losses, with the most drastic hitting roads, school janitors and public conveniences.