A substantial amount of the comhairle cash reservoirs should be used to cushion the blow from budget cuts say SNP councillors.
The SNP group at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar plan to vote against an almost 5% council tax increase.
The say such a hike would cause “financial pain” to island families, urging the council to freeze the tax.
To meet the financial implications of retaining the current level, they propose that the comhairle uses a projected £3.1 million of balances and £880,000 of reserves. This would still allow £2.62 million to be kept in reserve, they maintain.
SNP group leader Gordon Murray said: “We do not think it is right to ask families to pay more when the council have underspent their budgets and are sitting on large reserves.”
They also want an additional £80,000 earmarked to provide dental services in South Uist -
In addition, they intend to propose an extra £100,000 for the Bethesda Hospice.
Gordon Murray stated: “These issues are hugely important to our communities and we wish to help these valuable services.
“I hope this amendment will get support from other councillors rather than hitting our communities with another maximum council tax rise which is unfair.
“Giving support in resources to Bethesda hospice and dental services in South Uist is hugely important to the group and the communities across the islands.”
Council officials recommend using £1.6m of these balance, together with a 4.84% increase in council tax plus savings through “service redesign.”
Comhairle “sitting on million of pounds” while planning council tax hike
25 February 2020
