School strikes save council £800,000

Argyll and Bute Council’s efforts to balance its 2024/25 budget are set to be boosted by £800,000 – thanks to industrial action among teaching staff.

A report reveals that teachers’ industrial action resulted in reduced staffing costs – with a senior official saying the plan is for the cash to be added to the council’s general funding pot for the next financial year.

The budget for 2024-25 will be set in February.

The saving, along with plans to replace the technological equipment in the council chamber at Lochgilphead, was discussed at a full council meeting on Thursday June 29.

In the report issued before the meeting, executive director Douglas Hendry said: “In 2022/23 there was a reduction in staffing costs due to industrial action which impacted on the salary costs and related expenditure by the education service resulting in an underspend of £800,000.

“We propose to earmark this underspend to use as a one-off saving within the 2024- 25 budget.

“This would allow the service to make a significant saving without impacting on the quality of education provision.”

Councillor Math CampbellSturgess (SNP, Helensburgh and Lomond South) asked: “What will happen to the £800,000 that is not being spent? Will that be included in the education spend, or will it just go anywhere?”

Executive director Kirsty Flanagan said: “That is earmarked within the general fund.

“There is an opportunity to help to balance the 2024/25 budget and it might not go to a particular service.”

Councillor CampbellSturgess then asked: “The report also says there is £130,000 earmarked to replace the council chamber online meeting equipment.

“I think we can all agree that clearly it needs replaced, but can you give some more detail?

“I have, in previous roles, been involved in such provision, and £130,000 is a huge amount to spend. Is that because of maintenance or other issues?”

Ms Flanagan said: “I do not have the details on that, but we have engaged with IT to get an estimate. We are seeing significant cost increases with things that we are purchasing.

“We do not want to compromise on having a good system in the council chamber.”

The council is currently running a ‘budget simulator’ consultation through its website, allowing residents to express their views on priorities for setting the 2024/25 budget.

‘In 2022/23 there was a reduction in staffing costs die to industrial action which impacted on the salary costs...resulting in an underspend’