Aberdeenshire Council Tax to Rise by 10 Percent Amid Service Cuts Aberdeenshire Council Tax to Rise by 10 Percent Amid Service Cuts

Councillors met to decide the year’s budget. Gillian Owen leads the council, and she said they’ll spend about £1 billion, which covers essential services in the area. The council proposed a mix of savings, cuts, and raised fees, including the council tax increase. Saving money is not easy, Owen stated.

Aberdeenshire’s population is changing. Fewer kids and workers live there now, while the number of pensioners is increasing rapidly. More people over 85 need support.

The integration joint board handles health and social care. The council and NHS Grampian fund it jointly, with the council paying 43% of its expenses. If the board spends too much, they both pay. It’s had big overspends recently, and it used up all its reserve funds already, Owen said.

The board could overspend by £17 million next year. Owen called it the “biggest financial risk,” emphasizing that cuts are needed to fund those social services. More money for health care impacts other services. Deep cuts are necessary across the council now, though the Scottish Government could help avoid this.

A 10% council tax rise is coming. The lowest rates will rise by £92.90, and a Band D property increases to £1,532.76. Without savings, tax might have risen 17%, Owen said. The increase helps cover changing demands, with an 8% rise planned for the next two years. They will support struggling households.

Previously suggested cuts will now proceed. This caused public worry beforehand. Nursery care will be cut during holidays, and early learning snacks and meals will end. School lunch prices will go up for older kids.

The council ends its Homestart Garioch contract and will remove funding completely over three years. Its boss said vulnerable families will suffer. Emergency sandbags will no longer be offered by the council, and this support will stop within three years. People must find their own flood defenses.

Streetlights turn off from 1-5am in residential areas. Alan Turner said this saves money and reduces carbon. They will review non-residential lighting and consider areas needing light, which include town centers, CCTV, and hospitals.

The opposition proposed their own budget plan and removed some suggested cuts. Gwyneth Petrie read their proposal, which had a 9% tax increase. Selling Woodhill House was considered within the plan, as it loses £650,000 yearly, she noted. Finding a tenant for the empty space seems tough.

Moving staff could take about two years. A “travelling council” was even suggested, and they could use schools for meetings. This brings democracy to young people. They want a sponsorship policy where local businesses would promote the council. This could raise £40,000 next year for the council.

Petrie criticized cutting Homestart Garioch’s funds, saying that removing the “relatively small” sum is shocking. Cutting funds during a cost-of-living crisis is awful, she said.

They did agree with some planned cuts, including the reduction of street lighting. This needs community input, they stated. They also supported closing council service points in Peterhead, Fraserburgh, and Inverurie. They opposed cutting grit bins right now.

Communities should prepare before removing bins, and they want more snow wardens for gritting. Petrie thinks this year is critical, and things must change to avoid harder choices.

The administration’s budget got approved by 43 to 21. Only one councillor voted against it.

Councillors met to decide the year’s budget. Gillian Owen leads the council, and she said they’ll spend about £1 billion, which covers essential services in the area. The council proposed a mix of savings, cuts, and raised fees, including the council tax increase. Saving money is not easy, Owen stated.

Aberdeenshire’s population is changing. Fewer kids and workers live there now, while the number of pensioners is increasing rapidly. More people over 85 need support.

The integration joint board handles health and social care. The council and NHS Grampian fund it jointly, with the council paying 43% of its expenses. If the board spends too much, they both pay. It’s had big overspends recently, and it used up all its reserve funds already, Owen said.

The board could overspend by £17 million next year. Owen called it the “biggest financial risk,” emphasizing that cuts are needed to fund those social services. More money for health care impacts other services. Deep cuts are necessary across the council now, though the Scottish Government could help avoid this.

A 10% council tax rise is coming. The lowest rates will rise by £92.90, and a Band D property increases to £1,532.76. Without savings, tax might have risen 17%, Owen said. The increase helps cover changing demands, with an 8% rise planned for the next two years. They will support struggling households.

Previously suggested cuts will now proceed. This caused public worry beforehand. Nursery care will be cut during holidays, and early learning snacks and meals will end. School lunch prices will go up for older kids.

The council ends its Homestart Garioch contract and will remove funding completely over three years. Its boss said vulnerable families will suffer. Emergency sandbags will no longer be offered by the council, and this support will stop within three years. People must find their own flood defenses.

Streetlights turn off from 1-5am in residential areas. Alan Turner said this saves money and reduces carbon. They will review non-residential lighting and consider areas needing light, which include town centers, CCTV, and hospitals.

The opposition proposed their own budget plan and removed some suggested cuts. Gwyneth Petrie read their proposal, which had a 9% tax increase. Selling Woodhill House was considered within the plan, as it loses £650,000 yearly, she noted. Finding a tenant for the empty space seems tough.

Moving staff could take about two years. A “travelling council” was even suggested, and they could use schools for meetings. This brings democracy to young people. They want a sponsorship policy where local businesses would promote the council. This could raise £40,000 next year for the council.

Petrie criticized cutting Homestart Garioch’s funds, saying that removing the “relatively small” sum is shocking. Cutting funds during a cost-of-living crisis is awful, she said.

They did agree with some planned cuts, including the reduction of street lighting. This needs community input, they stated. They also supported closing council service points in Peterhead, Fraserburgh, and Inverurie. They opposed cutting grit bins right now.

Communities should prepare before removing bins, and they want more snow wardens for gritting. Petrie thinks this year is critical, and things must change to avoid harder choices.

The administration’s budget got approved by 43 to 21. Only one councillor voted against it.