Council asked to confirm revenue budget of £602m
FRONTLINE council services are expected to be given a multi-million-pound boost while no new budget cuts will be announced after the Highland Council identified £18.6 million worth of savings for next year.
Members are being recommended to confirm a revenue budget of £602m for 2012
In addition, it is expected to agree to freeze council tax for a fifth successive year.
Through its three-year budget-setting process, the local authority has flagged up the £18.6m savings for 2012
Budget leader Councillor David Alston said: “We planned ahead and made the difficult decisions well in advance. This shows both the value of three-year budgeting and of asking the public for their views on proposed savings.
“Our budget consultation in 2010 was one of the most comprehensive consultations carried out by any council in Scotland.”
Road maintenance and management support for smaller primary schools have also been earmarked for a funding boost in 2012
On top of this the local authority has agreed recurring additional spending as follows:
• £1m on keeping older people fit, healthy and safe at home
• £650,000 on enhanced pupil support in the classroom
• £250,000 on fostering and adoptions
• £250,000 on child disability teams
• £200,000 on employability
• £200,000 for supporting management in smaller primary schools
Mr Alston envisages the authority having to find substantial savings in each of the next two financial years to cover pay inflation, price inflation and budget pressures.
“A new council will be elected early in May and it will be for them to agree these future savings,” he said. “There is still a lot of work to do but I am confident that we leave a legacy of sound budget management.”