January 2003

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The Highland Council today (Thursday) confirmed plans to inject £30.5 million into its budget of £412 million in the new financial year, which commences on 1 April.

The council will be increasing spending on key frontline services including:-

• Education Culture and Sport - £11 million
• TEC Services - £10.2 million
• Social Work - £4.6 million
• Police and Fire - £3.3 million
• Property and Architectural Services - £800,000

At the same time, council services have been asked to contribute towards an efficiency target of £2.75 million. A new Business Improvement Team is being assembled to identify specific improvement and efficiency projects.

This will enable the council to contain a Council Tax increase at Band D at £50 giving a Band D of £989.

The council will meet on Thursday 13 February to confirm the tax for 2003 – 2004 and give an indicative increase for 2004 – 2005 and 2005 – 2006.

Vice-Convener, Councillor Alison Magee, Chairman of the Budget Working Group said: "This has been a long and complex budget process but I am pleased we have identified a growth of £30 million on frontline services and contained a tax increase to £50 at Band D."