Aberdeenshire Council budget proposing 10 per cent rise in council tax
Aberdeenshire residents are facing a 10 per cent council tax rise, reduced flooding support and streets being plunged in darkness as the council looks to save millions in the year ahead.
Aberdeenshire Council has unveiled its grand plan that bosses hope will help to fill its £26 million funding gap.
A number of savings have also been suggested to recover just under £14 million over the next 12 months.
Bosses say the budget is being set amid a “backdrop of economic uncertainty and significant financial challenges” for both the local authority and its residents.
However, they argue cuts and savings are needed to achieve a balanced budget.
Last year, council tax rates were frozen by the Scottish Government.
However, that freeze was lifted in December without any cap on how high household bills could jump.
Many across Aberdeenshire feared a “super hike” would be on the horizon.
However, the local authority is proposing to increase current charges by 10 per cent.
This would see a Band D property owner’s annual charge rise from £1393.42 to £1532.76.
Broken down, this would mean the monthly payment would jump from £116.12 to £127.73.
The council is also looking to increase council tax by a further eight per cent next year and the year after.
While council leader Gillian Owen promised there wouldn’t be a 20 per cent rise, the double figure proposed may come as a surprise to residents.
Aberdeenshire Council is looking to save just over £7m across its education and children’s services.
It will continue to look at how it provides early learning and childcare in the most cost-effective way.
But, this could mean some settings are closed or their hours may be reduced over certain times such as holiday periods.
Should this go-ahead, it could save the council £487,600.
Aberdeenshire’s ELC admission intake times could also be amended so they align to statutory entitlement – this would save £588,000.
Changes to staff posts could also be made to claw back £504,000.
Meanwhile, pupils will also feel the brunt of cutbacks.
The local authority is looking at cutting back on meals and snacks served at its ELC settings to save £50,000.
And, the price of school meals for primary six and seven pupils could be increased by 15 per cent, taking the daily charge to £3.05.
If this measure is approved, the council would gain an extra £77,000 over the next year.
The local authority is also considering ending its contract with Home-Start Garioch, which works with vulnerable families with young children.
It would phase out £232,000 of financial support over the next three years.
So starting from April 1, Home-Start would miss out on £77,333.
While talks are still ongoing, the council plans to make an immediate move to having no stand-alone libraries across the region to save just over £18,000.
Halls across Aberdeenshire could be closed unless a group is willing to take them on, a move chiefs reckon could save £128,444.
Sports and leisure facilities could all be moved to a standard operating model, which would dictate opening hours, activity timetables and staffing.
This would ensure what is on offer is “tailored and comparatively rigid”.
A sum of £131,991 would be recovered by doing this, which would mostly come from cutting back on staff needed at the front desk.
Staff posts across Live Life Aberdeenshire will also be looked at in a bid to save £120,661.
Meanwhile, the price of its sport and leisure services could be raised by 10 per cent to bring in an extra £690,130 over the year ahead.
The council will cut back on the amount it currently gives to VisitAberdeenshire to support tourism by £25,000.
And, it will stop giving a £6000 annual payment to the Dee Catchment Partnership.
Flooding support will also be ceased despite strong opposition from residents across the region.
Community sandbag stores will be phased out over the next three years – saving £1000 per year.
Emergency sandbags will also no longer be provided to the public.
However, this will be phased out over the next three years to allow residents to find their own flooding defences.
This is expected to save the council £50,000 per year.
Aberdeenshire Council will look to end its contract to support the Kemnay flood defence barrier, saving £12,000 from 2026.
The barrier would be retained, however all responsibility for it would be passed to Kembhill Park residents instead.
Residential streetlights across the region will be switched off between 1am and 5am in a bid to save £750,000.
The council will also look at its grit bins across Aberdeenshire, with only those meeting strict criteria to be filled.
Its strict “don’t fill grit bins” rule is expected to save £380,000.
Meanwhile, it will stop providing free bin straps to residents that will claw back £24,900.
Macduff harbour could be hit with two cuts.
The ice plant which opened in 2020 will be closed to save £20,000.
Officers argue most large fishing vessels have their own ice making facilities, while smaller boats could use the plant at Banff instead.
The second measure would see night watch posts at the harbour axed to recover £150,000.
Council chiefs say the roles are no longer needed as “there is no record of abnormal levels of theft or damage” at the port.
Aberdeenshire Council will pay its share of funding to the IJB – currently estimated to be around £11.4m.
While a further £2m will be released from its transformation reserve to pay voluntary severance costs for staff leaving the council.
Councillors will meet at Woodhill House in Aberdeen next Thursday to consider the proposals and set the budget.
