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Highland Council seeks agreement on budget New savings package for Highland Council budget
(about 3 hours later)
Highland councillors are debating the coming year's budget. Highland Council's ruling administration has accepted an alternative package of savings proposed by the SNP opposition.
The local authority's ruling administration, which is made up of independent councillors, has proposed more than £29m of savings. It means £1.3m of planned cuts will be avoided but other savings will be made.
SNP councillors have said they would oppose any cuts in funding to services supporting vulnerable people. These include £500,000 by changing the council's policy on sickness absence and a further £500,000 in schools energy incentives.
But the independents said savings had been forced on the authority, in part because of the council tax freeze. A Liberal Democrats proposal to save money by cutting the pay of senior councillors was defeated.
SNP councillors had said they would oppose any cuts in funding to services supporting vulnerable people.
The ruling group, made up of independent councillors had proposed cuts in funding for deprived areas, street cleansing, homeless support, women's aid groups and the Blas Music Festival.
They said the savings had been forced on the authority, in part because of the council tax freeze.
Earlier this month, all 32 local authorities in Scotland accepted the Scottish government's funding deal worth £10.3bn.Earlier this month, all 32 local authorities in Scotland accepted the Scottish government's funding deal worth £10.3bn.
Many did so reluctantly, claiming the continued council tax freeze would lead to severe pressure on budgets Many did so reluctantly, claiming the continued council tax freeze would lead to severe pressure on budgets.
Highland Council's leader Margaret Davidson said not being able to raise funds from a tax increase would result in jobs cuts and some services being axed. Highland Council's leader Margaret Davidson said not being able to raise funds from a tax increase would result in job cuts and some services being axed.
Bill Fernie, the council's budget leader, said the local authority had to deal with "unprecedented challenges" in setting a balanced budget.Bill Fernie, the council's budget leader, said the local authority had to deal with "unprecedented challenges" in setting a balanced budget.
Unison, which represents many of Highland's employees, said the cuts proposed could result in more than 600 posts being lost.
About 800 staff have expressed interest in taking voluntary redundancy packages.