January 2003

Front Page Archives

COUNCILLORS ASKED TO BACK GROWTH BUDGET
Highland Councillors will be asked later this week to agree a budget which shows an increase in spending of �30.58 million or 8% in the new financial year, which commences on 1 April.

This includes significant growth in Education, Culture and Sport, Social Work and TEC Services to meet priorities, such as waste management, road maintenance and flood prevention.

In the Council agrees a revenue budget of �413.1 million for 2003-2004, it will result in the Council Tax increase being contained to �50 at Band D. This will give a new Band D level of �989.

A special Council meeting is being held on Thursday (6 February 2003) to discuss recommendations from the Budget Working Group about the spending programme for the forthcoming financial year.
A report to council highlights the areas of growth as including: -
 - Education Culture and Sport �11 million, covering the McCrone agreement, residential school
   placements and subsidy to Caledonia Community Leisure Ltd;
 - TEC Services - �10.2 million, covering waste strategy (interim measures), concessionary fares, general
   road maintenance and flood prevention;
 - Social Work - �4.6 million, covering free personal care, developing home care services and Joint
   Future arrangements;
 - Police and fire budget increases - �3.3 million;
 - Property and Architectural Services - �800,000, covering service contracts, cyclical maintenance and
   asbestos/fire surveys.

Included in the budget is provision for pay awards, inflation National Insurance and pension increases of �12.98 million.  At the same time, Council Services have been asked to contribute towards an efficiency target of �2.5 million. A new Business Improvement Team is being assembled to identify specific improvement and efficiency projects.

The Council will meet again on Thursday 13 February to confirm the tax for 2003-2004.