Council’s Valentine sweet talk compromise 14/2/13
The leadership of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar will put forward a set of last minute proposals to stave off a full SNP attack at today’s final budget cuts meeting.
What was originally a plan of savage cuts on front line and community services has
resulted in a series of partial u-
It is understood the Comhairle is now likely to suspend a threat to slash the Stornoway to Benbecula plane service.
Council bosses will further negotiate funding arrangements with the health board.
In an earlier response to a request from the local authority, NHS Western Isles said
it considering the potential impact on health related services of a possible reduction
in the subsidy for inter-
However, the Benbecula to Barra air link is still at risk.
A move towards imposing shared headships of schools could be delayed to allow for the retirement of teachers.
In addition, the introduction of an asymmetric week for secondary pupils could be postponed for practical, as well as political reasons, by a year.
A compromise funding agreement will be mooted for Penumbra which would facilitate its survival.
In a last minute statement, the council leadership said: “The aim is to mitigate impacts in a number of areas of concern, including shared headships, itinerant teachers, the asymmetric week and support for Penumbra.”
However, the changes have not been put to councillors though the final budget decisions must be voted on today (Thurs).
Comhairle leader Angus Campbell maintained the leadership has “listened to concerns raised during the consultation process and has worked hard to find ways of making the reductions in services that are required whilst protecting services as far as we can.”
He insisted: “These latest proposals reflect the concerns of the community and the service committees and, if the Comhairle agrees to them, will significantly lessen the impacts of the difficult choices the Comhairle has to make.”