Cuts in council services 14/11/11
Sirs,
In response to your news item on “worst case scenario” of council cuts next financial year of up to £7m, I welcome the opportunity provided by the Council Leader, Angus Campbell, to consult widely across island communities on the stark choices we all face. Difficult political decisions require to be made once the Scottish Govt settlement is finally known.
I attended the meeting at Carinish Hall, and the consultation requested attendees
to respond, after discussion, to a menu listed on two-
(i) current expenditure to continue, or
(ii) reductions, to varying degrees, to
(iii) discontinuing a particular service (eg subsidy on Benbecula/Barra air flights).
This is a blunt tool really, but it is a start and the collation of this information
will present a majority view, which may command a higher level of unanimity among
the electorate. I understand this consultation is about to go on-
A number of key principles are important to observe in this process, and in particular the statutory duties and responsibilities carried by the council, ie inescapable commitments. What is a desirable service and what is essential?
This consultation and method used did not permit of any view which wished to highlight
the need for expected growth in demand in any service area, and a consequential increase
in expenditure. This concerns me, especially with regard to services for our older
and more vulnerable service-
We are all too well aware of demographic trends, which will see a massive increase
in the numbers of those aged over 75 years (80% increase by year 2033), and also
the national “transformational” agenda, which intends to shift the balance of care
from institutions to the community. This has clear implications for our community
care services and this fact must be factored in to the present debate. Resource transfer,
ie re-
The Scottish Govt has made £70m available to the 32 Local Authorities, under the
heading of “Change Fund” to facilitate this strategic direction of travel. The Comhairle
has received £531,000 from this source, but there is little evidence to date as to
how this money is being used. The Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has recently
indicated that at least 20% of this money should be ring-
Is it not ironic that at a time when we are struggling with much angst to find council cuts to budgets, and agree on priority areas of expenditure and services to be protected, we seem to have some difficulty in actually disbursing existing and new money? I am informed that if this Change Fund money is not used this financial year, it will be lost.
I ask your readers to lobby councillors and members of NHS Health Board who will be meeting in December to further discuss the best use of this “Change Fund”. The six locality planning groups of the CHaSCP should also consult and make their views known.
Andrew Walker
3 Kyles Flodda
Isle of Benbecula
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