COUNCIL CUTS JOBS HANG IN THE BALANCE
Hundreds of staff wait for vote on budget
Around 150 jobs could be lost at West Lothian Council over the next five years if its budget is approved next week.
On Tuesday, councillors passed a motion to remove some proposed cuts, including the combining of the Ability Centre and Eliburn Support Centre at Pathways, the restructuring of youth services and the charge for brown bin usage.
However in reversing some cuts, the council have said that budget restrictions mean approximately 790 jobs could be lost over the next five years.
They say that 640 new posts are expected to be created, especially in early learning, childcare and in schools.
In the budget, to be decided on Tuesday (February 13), the council is attempting to bridge a £65million funding gap, but following a recent consultation, has decided to reverse some of its proposed cuts.
Lawrence Fitzpatrick, leader of West Lothian Council, said: “We appreciate that nobody wants to see cuts and nor do we but, put simply, the council is not receiving enough funding from the Scottish Government to enable us to provide the same level of services.
“There is no doubt that, in terms of funding, this is the most challenging time that local government has had to face in a generation.
“Given that the council has already
made £92 million worth of savings since 2007, it is now extremely difficult to identify further savings for the next five years that will not impact upon communities.
“It is inevitable services that people have become accustomed to will be subject to change.
“In spite of reductions in our funding, we are confident we will make the right choices for local people and our communities and our budget will reflect that. By aligning our budget with our plan for the future, we will help to ensure that the needs of the community are met.”
Some of the proposed cuts that councillors have agreed to reverse include a £ 1.87million saving by stopping subsidies for bus services, the closure of three community recycling centres, closure of the Fauldhouse swimming pool and saving the instrumental music provision scheme.
Other reversed cuts include the amalgamation of three Livingston libraries into one location and the closure of Pumpherston Library, the removal of learning and disability, physical disability and looked after children transport, the withdrawal of Additional Support Needs ( ASN), homelessness and medical transport scheme and the stopping of the concessionary rail scheme.
Councillor Fitzpatrick said: “The council have listened to the views expressed by local people through the successful Transforming Your Council consultation and today agreed that some officer proposals should not be brought to the budget meeting and to protect those services.
“Officers presented a wide variety of proposals for consideration and respondents backed the majority of the budget savings measures. However, it was clear that some proposals conflicted with the wishes of many people, and we have taken those views on board.
“Officers will look at alternative proposals that will enable the council to balance its budget.”