Western Isles budget means near five per cent tax rise

Western Isles Council has approved a budget for 2020 that includes a near five per cent rise in the council tax for islanders, writes Mark Entwistle.

It was at Thursday’s meeting of the full council that comhairle leader Councillor Roddie Mackay’s budget was overwhelmingly approved.

At the meeting he said: ‘Despite the suggestion that austerity is behind us, it remains the case that since 2010 the comhairle has seen a funding reduction of 14 per cent, the biggest of any council in Scotland, amounting to £16m.

‘The comhairle strives to deliver the best services it can for our communities, educating our children, looking after the vulnerable, keeping our roads safe and recycling our waste. We will continue to do our best to work with the Scottish Government and our communities to minimise the effect on services and offset the impact on our economy.’

Mr Mackay added: ‘The comhairle has a long tradition of supporting health and social care and 2020/21 is no exception. I am proposing we increase the Cùram is Slàinte nan Eilean Siar budget by passing on in full the additional monies in the settlement. I am, however, concerned about the present deficit in the IJB which is one of the reasons why it is important that we protect reserves as much as we can.

‘This is a difficult budget for all councils but, thanks to our prudent planning and strategic use of balances in this and previous years, we are able to plan our savings in a measured way.

‘Nonetheless I am recommending we use the additional flexibility the Scottish Government has given us to raise Council Tax by 4.84%, which, for nine in every 10 households on our islands will be no more than £1.01 a week.’