Budget plans announced

Council Administration reveals its 2012/13 budget plans.

The Council's Administration outlined its final revenue and capital budget proposals on Tuesday 31 January.

The Council is continuing to take steps to ensure a high level of service is delivered to all residents across the Borders as it faces on-going funding pressures.  

Highlights of the 2012/13 revenue budget plans include:

• No council tax increase for the 5th successive year
• No compulsory redundancies
• Pupil-teacher ratios in P1-3 maintained
• Additional support of £1.1m for looked after children through our Integrated Children's Services
• Additional investment of £0.4m in our road network
• Investment of £0.2m in the fabric of our school classrooms
• Policing levels protected with no reductions in SBC funding to Lothian and Borders Police

Highlights of the ten year capital plan include:

• New flood protection schemes (£4.3m over three years)
• Waste management (£4.2m over three years)
• New primary school at West Linton (£7.5m over three years)
• Duns Primary School relocation (£3.5m over three years)
• Improved sports facilities at Peebles High School (£3.9m over three years)
• Investment of £8.4m in broadband

The council is looking to deliver just under £4m in efficiency savings to help balance its books including reductions in its workforce through the use of early retirement/voluntary severance; reduced travel, supplies and services costs; savings from the library and contact centre review; the rationalisation of property and reduced staff training costs; and £0.8m of savings in back office staffing and processes.                                                                 

The final budget will go before councillors for approval at the full council meeting on Thursday 9 February. You can view the council papers in our committee papers section.