Council leaders in Argyll and Bute say they face a budget gap of over £12m next year and they will campaign for more funding ‘to save vital community services’.
A statement issued this week said they would continue to work for fair funding for the area.
But it followed a meeting where showed that the actual budget gap would only be £4.7m, once a range of increases in Council Tax are brought in.
A 5% increase in every Council Tax bill in the area is expected in 2024-25, while the bills for second homes will double, raising £4m.
And it is also expected that everyone owning houses in Council Tax bands E to H will face much steeper increases – bringing in another £4m.
A report to this week’s policy and resources committee (below) shows that the budget gap will be £4.7, but despite this the authority issued a statement saying: “Argyll and Bute Council is facing a £12+ million gap in its budget next year.”
The statement also mentioned the council’s online budget simulator exercise, which ran this summer – but without mentioning that the most popular suggested cost to be cut was councillors themselves.
Council leader Robin Currie said in the statement: “Council services are crucial for day-to-day living and for building the longer term future of Argyll and Bute.
“Funding of course is extremely challenging for everyone, locally and nationally. However investing in councils is investing in the wellbeing and growth of our communities and area.
“We will continue to work, through CoSLA, for fair funding for Argyll and Bute’s council services.”
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