The council’s finance spokesperson councillor Mark Salmond said the Angus Alliance budget was one that would help build Angus’ future, with roads a top priority.
“In setting this budget we have taken a considered and long term approach to ensure we not only deal with the current financial challenges but also focus on building Angus’ future,” said councillor Salmond.
“As everyone is aware from our budget consultation Angus has to find savings of £23 million by 2014. We’ve now made a start to that, setting a budget for 2011/12 that delivers around £8.5 million of savings, £7.4 million from departmental budgets and the remainder from corporate initiatives.
“While this was a very tough challenge – it’s nearly twice as much as last year’s savings package – we are fortunate that years of sound financial management puts us in a better position than some other local authorities.
“We have therefore managed to protect frontline services from the worst of the cuts and have not had to resort to compulsory redundancies. By being more focused about how and where services are delivered we have been able to make investment in the services needed and valued by the Angus community.
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“For example this budget invests a record £15 million in the roads network – £1.4 million more than last year - which will help us tackle the potholes and other essential maintenance following two of the most severe winters ever experienced. This includes an additional £400k for winter maintenance, some of which will be used to provide another 100 grit bins in response to public demand.”
Councillor Salmond said the council had followed the savings approach outlined in its December budget consultation, the first undertaken by Angus Council.
“The four strands of our savings approach – greater efficiency, fewer staff, more focused services and increased income – are delivering the savings we need to find over the next three years and beyond.
“In setting this budget we have tried to deliver as much as we could from efficiency savings - this year almost 50 per cent (£3.6 million) of the departmental savings are cashable efficiency savings.
“Reductions in staff numbers through natural turnover will this year deliver £3.8 million, all of which is being carefully managed to maintain essential service.
“These measures, coupled with increased income and more focused service delivery, deliver the £8.5 million saving we need.”
Councillor Salmond said the council had listened to public opinion when setting this year’s budget. “While our approach got the broad support of the public and staff we did listen to their feedback and in response we have decided against some of the savings proposed.
“So for example in 2011/12 subsidised crèches at leisure centres will continue during the lifetime of this administration and the opening hours of recycling centres will not be shortened.”
Turning to the council’s capital plan the convener said: “In the next few years we have over £114 million of planned capital expenditure – nearly £42 million of that is planned for 2011/12, including £14 million of housing investment.
“This year’s work includes the new Kinloch Day Care Centre and Supported Housing; numerous road improvement projects; Montrose Swimming Pool; and the development of a new primary school in Arbroath.
“These and other essential projects are building the future of Angus’ communities – improving services and providing employment for many local people and contractors.”
(GK)
