Council Budget: Lib Dems seek 'extra' £23 million roads investment
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A series of major changes to Highland Council’s £679 million budget have been proposed by the opposition including much more money for roads, securing funding for local organisations and increasing per hour rates for early learning and childcare.
The local authority is currently in session debating the annual budget amid what is the greatest deficit in years caused in large part by inflation and the cost crisis forcing bosses to fill a £54 million blackhole.
The most eye-catching was a plan by Lib Dem leader Alasdair Christie to capitalise one per cent of the proposed four per cent council tax hike – that is turn it into investment cash – adding an extra £23 million to the roads budget.
He said: “The proposed spend on roads as detailed in the administration budget as a priority investment is woefully inadequate to keep pace with the deterioration and remedial works required.
“Noting that the Council Tax rise is four per cent, we propose to allocate three per cent towards meeting the budget gap and one per cent to fund the loans charges thereby allowing an extra £23 million of capital investment in our roads.
“This will cost £1.344M in loan charges in 2023/24 and be funded by use of reserves.”
Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups issued their proposals ahead of today’s crunch meeting and they form a rejection and a major challenge to the administration plans.
Though opposition groups could not block them on their own, the administration would prefer to pass the budget with cross party support from councillors to avoid division.
Conservative group leader Helen Crawford wants to increase the per hour rate for early learning and childcare (ELC) partner providers through recognising that pay awards have increased elsewhere.
She said: “Fairness would be to pass an increase through to partner providers. It is proposed that the rates for 2023/24 be uplifted by three per cent so that the eligible two year old rate is £6.86 per hour, £5.92 per hour for 3-5 year olds and £3.09 per meal. This will cost £259,000 in 2023/24 and be funded by use of reserves.”
More to follow...
