Uphill battle for councillors seeking to slash rental prices and boost bin collections
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The cost implications of separate bids to slash charges for voluntary groups and charities renting council properties and additional bin collections on the NC500 appear doomed.
Motions calling for both measures were tabled by Lib Dem and independent councillors at last month’s full Highland Council meeting and were referred to the corporate resources committee, to check how much they would cost if enacted.
The first motion sought to cut rental costs paid by voluntary, charitable and youth organisations for council premises by 50 per cent so that activities, particularly after-school events, could continue.
Councillors Richard Gale, Alex Graham, Jan McEwan and Jim McGillivray stated that the current level of fees is "threatening the very existence of such organisations", adding that, if they have to close, "the knock-on effect for children’s mental health and the ability for working parents to continue to work is considerable, with the added impact on the local economies that will ensue.”
A report to the corporate resources committee, which meets tomorrow, assesses that proceeding with their call for action would likely cost in the region of £128,000 to £192,000 a year for the housing and property service.
The second motion aims to reinstate a flexible and additional bin collection scheme which is credited with significantly improving littering at various hotspots around the NC500.
For additional collection it is believed that would cost £110,000 for a reduced 17-week period or £150,000 on a recurring basis for an annual 22 week period.
Councillors Richard Gale, Michael Baird, Jan McEwan and Angela MacLean argue that the move “made a significant difference to the levels of waste that was abandoned in some of the most scenic parts of the Highlands” and had been greeted positively by local communities.
However, amid the council’s ongoing financial struggles, blowing a hole in the agreed budget to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds may be deemed unviable.
On the matter of property rents, however, critics say the currently agreed price hikes could make it impossible for dozens of local voluntary, charitable and youth organisations to operate, including those using High Life Highland facilities and services.
Whatever discussions take place at the corporate resources committee tomorrow both motions will be referred back to the next full council meeting, on June 29, where all members will make a decision based on the figures now available.
