Hebrides  News

Contact newsdesk on:  info@hebridesnews.co.uk

I Cars  I   Stuff 4 Sale   I   Jobs   I                             

 Local Services     

Council to cut services and jobs            10/2/14

Cuts are looming in transport, education, social care, development and public services.

The Comhairle wants to make £2.5 million of savings this year just 12 months after implementing £2 million of cuts.  

An overall two-year £6 million deficit was reduced thanks to a final £1.1 million BCCI payback. Other savings came from using £400,000 from reserves, a similar figure from staff cuts, £100,000 from increasing council tax on empty homes, and cash from the use of housing capital plus energy savings.

This year the council plans to cut jobs and not fill vacancies as well as reduce training and renting less external offices.

It also intends to axe itinerant teachers for gym, music and art for Primary 1 to 3 pupils to save £200,000.

Other cuts and savings proposed for Thursday’s budget cuts meetings include:

Community minibuses,daily litter picking in Stornoway town centre, grants for community bodies to look after pubic toilets will also be hit.

The council also aims to reduce the its contribution to Penumbra as well as introduce a frozen meals at home service for eligible pensioners.