Glasgow City Council Approves Budget

Glasgow City Council has passed a budget for the next financial year that invests in education, communities and employment.

The council’s facing the biggest budget challenge it’s ever seen, with cuts of £130m to be made in the next two years.

Council Leader Frank McAveety said: “The £130m cuts we face over the next two years are not just cuts from Westminster.

“Glasgow has had a double whammy of Holyrood cuts piled on top of those from Westminster.

“When I became Leader the city faced a cuts bill of £103m. Now it’s £130m. Make no mistake this is a direct result of the Scottish Government’s budget cuts.”

The council faces a spending gap of £130 million over the next two years - with £83 million of that figure falling in 2016/17. However the council has used reserves and other measures to raise £25m, meaning £58m in savings will be needed to balance the budget.

The budget requires a reduction of around 1,500 jobs over the next financial year. The council has promised no compulsory redundancies, so it’s hoped this will be achieved solely through natural wastage – and the redeployment of staff to ensure services have the workforce they need.

There’ll be less grass and hedge cutting across the services, saving the council £1.5 million. Schools, Libraries, Museums and Office Buildings will also be cleaned less often and to a lower standard, saving £700,000.

Glasgow Loves Christmas is due to be scaled back too. It’s not clear yet where savings will be made in the festive calendar, or how much – but there’s a vow it will be looked at.

Despite these savings, the council has pledged new capital spending to invest £100m in communities and schools over the next five years.

Frank McAveety said: “Despite facing a huge budget shortfall, Glasgow City Council has committed to investing £100m in our schools and community facilities over the next five years with an increased capital investment fund.

“This fund will ensure that these vital facilities across the city continue to operate and don’t suffer from the cuts being imposed on us - a real example of the council delivering for the communities of Glasgow.”

Council Tax will also be frozen again at the 2005 level, with the band D rate set at £1213.

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