People Services Saved

[Kintyre Forum News]

Argyll and Bute Council yesterday (13th February 2007) agreed to allocate an extra £187,000 to services for older people and an additional
£255,000 for a range of community projects, including village halls.

At its 2007/08 Budget meeting, members also voted against proposals to axe school meals and any reduction in budget to support respite care for the elderly or those with mental health, physical or learning needs.

A total of £100,000 was also allocated for repairs to headstones in burial grounds across the area.

Argyll and Bute Council Leader, Councillor Allan Macaskill, said: “Every year at budget time we are faced with difficult decision-making and this year has been no exception.

“With this budget, we aim to maintain and improve the level and quality of services to those who are most vulnerable in our society.

“Increased efficiencies across the Council have allowed us to balance the books and make savings of £3,191,067, although we have had to draw on our reserves to meet the demands of the Single Status agreement.

“I am pleased that over the past four years as Leader of this administration we have been consistent in bringing in Council Tax at or below the Scottish average.”

The Council agreed to set the 2007/08 Council Tax at Band ‘D’ equivalent of £1,178, a rise of £22 which represents an increase of 1.9% over the 2006/7 figure.