'Let the public decide on cuts'
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THE public should have a say on up to £77.3 million of cuts Highland Council may have to make over the next three years.
The call is included in a revenue budget strategy report going before councillors today.
Head of corporate finance Edward Foster reports: "Even in the most optimistic scenario modelled, a budget gap – after already agreed savings – of £50.2 million is forecast over the three-year period from 2020/21 to 2022/23.
"In the most pessimistic scenario, a gap of £77.3 million is forecast over the same period."
He adds: "If reality differs markedly from any of the scenarios outlined the council could find itself considerably better or worse off."
The scenarios are based on reduced Scottish Government funding of up to three per cent.
In February, councillors agreed to £16 million of savings for the next two years as they sought to cut £37 million from its books over a three-year period, including the current year.
"Any budget gap would need to be closed by spending less: by delivering services more efficiently or stopping and reducing them; and by increasing the level of income the council generates from council tax and other fees and charges," Mr Foster states.
