Published: Friday, 12th February, 2010 10:52am

Council budget voted through

by David O'Leary

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BORDERS councillors have voted through a third consecutive freeze on council tax.

And yesterday's (Thursday's) full local authority meeting also passed its Administrations £269 million proposed spending plans for the forthcoming financial year.

A bid was tabled by the Nationalist opposition group for £750,000 to be stripped from back up reserve funds and spent on repairing the region's roads. But the motion was voted down by 20 to six.

Council leader David Parker told the Peeblesshire News: "I am delighted that the Council has accepted the Administration's proposals.

"We have been able to deliver a sound, robust, stable budget in a time of great uncertainty and severe pressures. We have received a £5.4 million increase from Scottish Government, which is less than we anticipated and a great deal less than we need just to continue doing what we have been doing.

"However, we have been able to deal with that funding reduction without significantly affecting our frontline services or increasing Council Tax."

Despite the reduction in spending council chiefs managed to produce a budget without the predicted redundancies that were feared.

And they have also maintained investment plans for local schools.

Depute Leader Neil Calvert added: "We are in this position because we have worked together and planned ahead. Our efficiencies programme has played a significant part in getting us to this position. I am pleased that, once again, we do not have to use our reserves to balance the budget."