Council approves budget. Tax increase of 9.85% for 2025/26. Funds schools, roads, and city improvements.
Councillors met and approved the budget. It was put together by two groups: the SNP and Liberal Democrats.
The budget brings changes affecting schools and a road project. The city center will see changes, and support will increase for people in need.
The council will spend £247 million on schools over five years. £121m goes to the new Hazlehead Academy. Harlaw Academy will get bigger, while St Peter’s and Ferryhill will be fixed up. Bucksburn Academy will have an extension.
£55 million is for roads. The Berryden Corridor Project starts next year. The city center will see £13m spent to improve Castlegate, making it a better public space.
The Fairer Aberdeen Fund gets £1.534m in 2025/26. A committee will give £1m to help with living costs. Social care gets an extra £9.5m, bringing the total budget for this to £140m.
Public services receive £668m in 2025/26. Capital projects will get £709m over the next five years.
The Common Good Fund will provide funds, giving almost £1.5m to outside groups. This supports the Culture Investment Panel’s ideas. Aberdeen Performing Arts gets £961,000.
Sport Aberdeen runs the city’s leisure spots. It will get £4.1m for 2025/26. A Cruyff Court is coming to Kincorth, the city’s fourth one, with the Denis Law Legacy Trust.
There was a funding gap of £18.1m for 2025/26. The council tax rise will help cover it, maintaining current services.
The council set a carbon budget of 22,567 tonnes for the next year. This pushes towards zero emissions by 2045. A Hydrogen Hub will complete a £19m investment with bp, making and sending out green hydrogen. The electric vehicle network is getting £9m to make it bigger.