A tight budget but real solutions for the Scottish Borders
Monday, February 4 2008
A freeze on council tax, significant investment in frontline services and a commitment to increasing recycling rates are among the 2008-2009 budget proposals outlined by Scottish Borders Council’s Administration today (Monday 4 February).
The proposals will go to Council for approval on Thursday 14 February. They also include continued investment in the building of new schools and additional money for services to older people and vulnerable children. The Council’s budget will rise to £249 million.
Leader of the Council, Councillor David Parker, said: “The settlement we received from the Scottish Government is challenging and means that we had difficult choices to make. This is a prudent, affordable, sustainable budget. It’s also a budget which allows the Administration to meet the aims as set out in our ‘Bright Future for the Borders’ manifesto.
“There is a lot of good news for Borderers, including the zero per cent rise in Council Tax and the extension of the green bin collection to cover 90 per cent of Borders households.”
Depute Leader Neil Calvert added: “We are delighted to be able to freeze Council Tax for this year and to do away with the need to dip into our reserves to support the budget. The Administration is sure that this budget will deliver some real solutions and Borders residents will see the benefits.
“For example, over £2.3 million is being added to the education and social work budgets to cater for the increasing numbers of primary school pupils and clients who receive care from social work. We are also proposing significant additional investment in SB Local, which will include funding for two extra litter squads, more litter bins and £153,000 extra a year for general service development and improvement.”
Depute Leader Alex Nicol commented: “We have worked hard to set this budget in such a way that we maintain and improve our services while delivering the best possible value for money.
“Efficiency savings of £2 million have been identified across all departments, but this does not mean that services will be affected. Instead, they will be run in a more effective and efficient way.”
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