Council agrees to cut youth and adult learning services
Argyll and Bute Council agreed its spending plans for the next year and it is not good news for youth and adult learning services.
Despite protests from high school pupils in Argyll, the council agreed to cut 17.1 full-time equivalent positions – more than half of its current staffing level.
On behalf of the hundreds of Oban pupils who downed tools and protested at the high school, Dante Lopez said that young people’s voices were not being heard.
He added: ‘The youth of Argyll will not take this sitting down as this is something that affects all of our lives.’
Lollipop crossing patrollers were spared the axe, but the council’s road safety unit will
be scrapped and five jobs will be cut from the authority’s environment warden service.
As previously reported, the council approved a 4.79 per cent rise in council tax for the next 12 months.
Other policy options not approved were a 10 per cent reduction in grounds and environmental maintenance, closures of customer service points, and fee increases for car parking.
Leader of Argyll and Bute Council Aileen Morton said the local authority had to deal with a funding gap of almost £8 million – equating to £50 million in savings over the past nine years.
‘Cuts mean we have had to make tough decisions about even the most valued council services,’ Mrs Morton said.
‘Our approach is to protect essential services and to
protect jobs as far as we can. When it is said like that, it sounds simple, but in reality it is near impossible.
‘The continued existence of local authorities is under threat as they struggle to meet costs.
‘People may find it difficult to understand that we have to
face tough choices regarding services they depend on as they hear announcements that councils are getting more money.
‘We didn’t receive more funding overall. Our overall budget gap is nearly £8 million.’
The budget put forward
by the ruling administration of Liberal Democrat, Conservative and independent councillors was countered by three amendments, including one from the opposition SNP group. All three amendments proposed saving the road safety unit and maintaining the environmental warden and youth and adult learning services at current levels.
Amendments were put forward by Councillor Douglas Philand, seconded by Councillor Donald Kelly, and by Councillor George Freeman, seconded by Councillor Jean Moffat, as well as one from the opposition SNP group. The administration’s motion received 21 votes, while leader of the SNP group, Councillor Sandy Taylor’s amendment was backed by the 10 members of the group.
Key decisions made include:
Agreed: £500,000 reduction in council management costs over the next three years;
Agreed: an additional £500,000 for winter maintenance;
Agreed: an additional £2 million for the Health and Social Care Partnership;
Agreed: £120,000 to bring the Royal National Mòd to Oban in 2023;
Agreed: £23,330 for Kintyre Recycling Limited;
The increase in council tax will see Band D increase from £1,249 to £1,308.83.
Rejected: proposals to remove school crossing patrollers;
Rejected: proposal to close customer service points;
Rejected: proposal to reduce grounds and environment services;
Rejected: proposal to increase parking charges.