¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s council has to identify options to meet a projected budget gap of £6.7 million in 2021/2022, and as part of that, is asking for your views on amenity services.
Savings can only come from a relatively small proportion of the council’s budget (32%), because of national priorities and other factors outside council control:
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Teacher posts are protected nationally
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Social work costs are managed by the Health and Social Care Partnership
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Utility, loan and other costs depend on external factors.
Some savings have to come from amenity services, which cover everything from bins and grass cutting, to parking, road repairs and public toilets.
The council is therefore asking people to give their views on how best to make savings in amenity services by answering a short consultation.
The survey also gives people the chance to give their thoughts on whether local communities would consider stepping in to save a service at risk, and what if any support they would want to be able to do this.
Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Depute Leader and Policy Lead for Strategic Finance, said:
“Another year and millions more expected to be cut from council services for ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute. It’s not enough to say that these are tough times for councils.
Years of budget cuts are eroding ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute’s council services, and at a time now when they have never been more important – look at how much our communities have depended on council services to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
We have to focus on the support that is most vital for the area. We have to look again at the work we do that is above and beyond the ‘must-do’ duties of a council.
I would encourage anyone who uses our amenity services to give their views.â€
You can answer the consultation on the council’s website: /consultations/amenity-services-consultation.
If you have difficulty accessing the web version, you are welcome to contact the council at 01436 658 981.
You can also read more about the challenges for the area’s council services on the website.