Stormy waters ahead over budget cuts

Oct 16 2009 by Stuart Wilson

SOUTH Ayrshire is being warned to brace itself for more financial trouble.

Councillors have been told to expect a bleak future filled with growing budget cuts.

And it could be years before any light is spotted at the end of the tunnel.

Stark figures were revealed to elected members at the latest meeting of the full council.

An estimated £7 million will need to be removed from the 2010-11 budget.

And as council leader Hugh Hunter revealed earlier this year, that figure will rise to £16 million over the next two years.

Council chief executive David Anderson confirmed next year’sbudget position was “still being finalised”.

But it’s clear the outlook is far from positive – and eight public meetings will be used to spell out the problems.

Councillor Peter Convery admitted: “From 2011 onwards, the issues we’re going to face will be severe and the sooner the public realise that, the better.

“But the people here are up for it – so fasten your seatbelts.”

Mr Hunter added his endorsement of the public meetings, which will take place between November and December.

The events, called community conversations, will be used to inform and gauge public opinion on the financial challenges ahead.

A lack of public consultation was one of the main criticisms levelled at the current regime when making their last round of budget cuts.

But the Labour group are unconvinced that simply speaking to the public will hide the reality of the situation.

Leader John McDowall warned: “We welcome community conversations and think they’re a positive move.

“However, the projected budget gap of £7 million cannot be met without a significant impact on services.”

Labour then proposed an amendment to the budget report, asking for more detail on the possible impacts of major cuts.

But the amendment was voted down and the scheduled community conversations will take place as planned.