Peeblesshire News | News | 'Touch times ahead' as council 'cuts' could be on cards

Thursday, 21st August, 2008

Published: Friday, 8th February, 2008 12:00

'Touch times ahead' as council 'cuts' could be on cards

By Caitlin Smith

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COUNCIL tax in the Borders will be frozen this year.

As a result, SBC has had to make savings of more than £4million across all departments but insisted that services would not be affected.

The Tory, Lib-Dem and Independent coalition unveiled their 2008/09 budget on Monday.

Council Leader David Parker described the £249 million manifesto as “prudent, affordable, sustainable.”

He pledged that no cuts were planned for frontline services, although £4.4 million in efficiency savings were detailed.

But Lib-Dem councillor, John Paton-Day warned there could be “tough times ahead”.

The budget revealed that some increased charges for services will particularly affect the vulnerable – especially the elderly and disabled.

Bordercare will be increased by 10p per week, meals at home by 5p per week and home care by 36p per hour. The charge for the shopping service goes up by 10p a trip.

Councillor Parker told the Peeblesshire News: “I can promise the core services SBC provides for its clients will not be affected.

“The budgets for these departments are sizeable and the services duplicated in a number of instances, so by reviewing them we will make them run more efficiently.”

There will be an increase for school meals in the budget, but bus fares on subsidised routes go up by four per cent and charges for blue badge holders will be increased.

But it’s the end of the road for Computer Bus as it will save £73,000.

Education receives a large slice of the budget with £33million earmarked for four new schools in the Borders including a major upgrade for Kingsland School in Peebles to accommodate pupils in the town’s Halyrude Primary; £6million for schools’ improvement beyond 2011/12 and a further £13.5million over the next five years will be spent on local school buildings.

There is no increase in spending on the region’s transport, but over £6million is earmarked for roads in central Galashiels over the next five years as well as £17million plus for other road improvements.

Councillor Parker admitted that the authority had been looking at a three per cent increase in council tax had the Scottish Government not plugged the funding gap.

Depute Leader Neil Calvert said: “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.

“Efficiency savings have been identified across all departments, but this does not mean that services will be affected. Instead, they will run in a more effective and efficient way.”

This year’s budget includes a pledge to increase the rates in recycling and continued investment in the building of new schools.

Special clean-up team, SB Local, is set to receive extra cash, making it possible for two extra litter squads and more litter bins, and the high-profile anti-dog fouling campaign will be continued.

Flood prevention is also amongst their top priorities, with Executive Member for Roads and Infrastructure Jim Fullarton confirming a total of £3.5 million will be provided over the next five years to protect homes and council property.

Arts and culture in the Borders will get a boost with £15,000 going to the Borders Book Festival and a 45 per cent increase in spending on the Eastgate Theatre in Peebles, as well as a commitment to scrap museum entry charges by 2009/10.

Councillor Paton-Day, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Melrose & Lauderdale said: “Along with my Liberal Colleagues, I would have been happier if we could have spent more on education, social services and roads, but the facts are that the money is just not there.

“However, the £250,000 for Lauder’s new health centre and the refurbishment of the local play park has been included.

“There are so many unknowns concerning future amounts SBC will to receive, I am not confident that there will not be tough times ahead.”

The administration’s draft budget will be ratified at a full council meeting on February 14.

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