Western Isles Council budget crisis 10/8/10
Western Isles Council held a budget cuts crisis seminar today in its desperate quest to seek a raft of options to savagely slash spending by about £24 million over the coming four years.
Bosses have been told to go through spending plans with a fine tooth comb. They have been requested to curb budgets by 20% to tackle a drastic fall in funding from central government
An expected appeal for voluntary redundancies across the entire workforce could reduce the staff numbers by around 15%. A number of staff have already expressed an interest in taking a package to give up their jobs.
Those remaining could be asked to cut their hours in an effort to cut the authority’s wage bill.
Voluntary bodies can expect to take a heavy hit if reduced grants affect island causes.
Council leader Angus Campbell said: "Today marked the start of a process within the Comhairle where members and senior officers began to examine options and choices for future budgets.
“This is the first in a series of meetings which will include consultation with the wider community, service users and Comhairle staff.
“The challenges which the Comhairle will inevitably have to face must be dealt with on the basis of best information and knowledge."
Ali Maclennan of the council public service union Unison said: “It is definitely not looking good. “There is a general acceptance that jobs are to go. It is hoped to have enough volunteers to avoid compulsorily redundancies.”
He added: “Once the impact of the cutbacks are known Unison will represent its members in negotiations.”
The seminar is an unprecedented and extremely early start in preparing next year’s council tax levels and attempt to balance the books.
The council intends to hold public meetings across the islands in September to try and explain the impact of the harsh financial economic climate which is forcing its hand to wield the knife.
The dire cash situation strengths its bid to shut 18 schools -
Some unused surplus buildings are expected to be disposed of to avoid expensive maintenance costs.