COUNCILLORS yesterday voted for a bumper nine per cent increase in the region’s Council Tax rates this year.
It will come into force for households from April and means rises of £80.09 extra a year for band A properties and £294.32 more for those in band H.
Although it was ultimately the SNP’s budget that was passed by 23 votes to 20, with support from Labour, there was not much to choose between the political party’s proposals, with the Tories also wanting a nine per cent hike and Labour a bit lower on 8.8 per cent.
And the theme of the day was very much working together, with a composite motion agreed that sets out a vision and priorities for the next year.
It features 32 actions and savings, which have been drawn up following last year’s public consultation, which attracted over 4000 views. The list includes:
– to stress to both the Scottish and UK Governments the significant financial pressure on the council of the hike in Employer National Insurance Contributions and to call for full reimbursement.
– to find opportunities for income generation, cost savings and reduction in management costs.
– a review of the Youth Beatz Festival, to shape sustainability of future events.
– a request for detailed proposals on reducing the number of schools, while ensuring high-quality education and community sit at the heart of any proposals and geographical, rurality and transport challenges are fully considered.
– the development of a local power plan.
– to develop and improve waste collection services.
– look at how to make best use of leisure facilities and how they are delivered.
– review public toilet provision and management.
Summing up the general feeling, SNP
leader and Annandale North Cllr Stephen Thompson said: “There’s lots of common ground. We are sharing the best bits.”
Agreeing, council leader Cllr Gail Macgregor said: “I don’t think any member in this chamber has a monopoly on good ideas. What we have seen today is intelligent, caring people bringing forward ideas of how they want to see us doing things for our region and our communities.
“This has not been an easy budget and members from across the chamber have had to make difficult decisions recognising both the financial pressures facing households and the need to sustain local services that people rely on daily.”
Explaining his party’s package of measures, which won the most support, Cllr Thompson said they were aware of the financial challenges facing the local authority and the need to ‘protect vital services for the public’.
But he was also keen to continue the transformation work at the council, adding: “We have a considerable sum of money we are going to be investing and the key thing for us is that we are going to be directing it to the right places.
“Our primary concern is delivering for Dumfries and Galloway.”
Above: council leader Gail Macgregor, chief executive Dawn Roberts and convenor Malcolm Johnstone
