Perth and Kinross Council budget cuts on the way

Sep 18 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

BUDGET cuts across public services are inevitable for the foreseeable future, Perthshire councillors conceded this week.

Picking over the latest financial reports issued by Perth and Kinross Council, elected members spoke out on the thorny issue of the continued recession and its spending ramifications.

Council leader Ian Miller said the local authority’s annual treasury and efficiency reports showed it had coped with both “the unprecedented financial situation” and diminished support from central government.

“Efficiencies of £5.7million were realised in 2008/09,” he revealed.

“These savings were achieved across a number of areas including asset management, procurement and workforce planning.

“In addition we have also targeted areas for 2009/10 to deliver a series of further efficiencies in the current year.

“If there are savings to be made, I am going to pursue them. That is the bottom line.”

Councillors were told that monitoring of PKC’s revenue budget had earmarked a net projected underspend of over £1.33million, almost half a per cent of its total service budget.

Nevertheless, Strathtay member Barbara Vaughan claimed the authority would be placed “in a very difficult situation” over the next 12 months.

“All councils are in the same boat, but we are better placed to cope than most,” she insisted.

In a similar vein, Perth South’s Alexander Stewart described PKC’s financial management as “strong”.

“We all know we are going into difficult times financially over the next two or three years,” he said.

“Dark days may be ahead for local government so saving money is of great benefit.”

Fearing council redundancies, the authority’s Labour leader Archie MacLellan called for the continuation of a robust approach to vacant posts and absenteeism through sickness.

In response, Mr Miller said PKC had traditionally been “quite active” in preventing job losses.

“We are blessed with an efficient and effective staff and their morale is very buoyant,” he declared.