Dozens of jobs are at risk as Argyll and Bute Council plans to cut spending by £4m next year.
‘Nudge theory’ via social media and text messages – as well as working more closely with sheriff officers – will be used to target people in arrears with Council Tax.
The number of staff tackling litter, fly-tipping and dog waste could be cut next year.
And in the longer term workers’ terms and conditions of employment could be reviewed.
The latest grim financial forecast is due to be considered by the council’s policy and resources committee in Lochgilphead next Thursday.
The final amount available to the council will not be confirmed until later this month, with the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Finance Derek Mackay due to make his draft budget statement this week.
But the council is expecting that it will have a budget gap of £3.1m – and has drawn up options to save £1m more than that.
A report by head of strategic finance Kirsty Flanagan outlines a range of measures which would reduce staffing by the equivalent of 55.8 full-time posts.
She argues that Council Tax collection should be reviewed ‘using nudge theory through use of social media and introduction of SMS text reminders to send payment reminders to residents who are late in paying their council tax, along with additional joint working with sheriff officers targeting accounts with no payment arrangements or earnings arrestments in place’.
She suggests that two extra staff should be employed for this, and says it would raise another £250,000 per year.
In 2015 it was revealed here that the council had spent £240,000 the previous year on debt collectors to chase Council Tax arrears.
Next week’s meeting will also hear that among the list of services which could face cuts is the environmental wardens, where five full-time jobs could go.
“The service would focus on the income generation elements, including commercial waste agreements,” says the report.
“This would be at the expense of the enforcement of dog fouling, littering, fly-tipping etc.”
Ms Flanagan’s report says that the council’s transformation board has identified several areas for long-term savings:
- Employee terms and conditions
- Investment in renewables
- Digital transformation
- Further rationalisation of face to face service provision
- Further office rationalisation.
- Continuation of the ‘One Council Property’ Approach
- Further review of loans charges and fees
- Sustainable education as part of the Northern Alliance
The full report is here: BUDGET 2019-20 – SAVINGS OPTIONS
I wonder if they have considered reducing the pay of senior council officials so that they are paid less than Scottish government cabinet members?
I understand that there are 7 or 8 officials paid more than the finance secretary that will present the Scottish budget.