Schools and jobs on block in Highland Council cuts
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SCHOOLS could close, school days could be shortened and 1,000 council staff could lose their jobs as Highland Council seeks to save millions from its budget.
The controversial proposals have surfaced in a public consultation document as the council gathers views on how to cut £64million from its spending plans between now and 2019.
A 10 to 15 per cent reduction in staff and buildings is anticipated over the next four years.
Michelle Morris, depute chief executive, said the local authority maintained its commitment to no compulsory redundancies wherever possible.
But director of finance Derek Yule has warned education can no longer be spared when it comes to finding savings.
Mr Yule said: "It has been very difficult to protect any part of the council. In the past we have tried to save education but that’s really not been possible at this stage at all. We can’t keep chipping away at services and finding one per cent here and there. We have come to a point where we have to consider a real reduction in services."
The first tranch of the savings - totalling more than £15million - has been launched. This part of the proposal alone could lead to a loss of 35 secondary school teaching jobs.
The document has been complied in two parts. Section 1 lists proposals that the council feels that are in some cases the best, "if not the only options available".
They total over £11million and include:
• Closing schools
• Cutting funding to Eden Court and High Life Highland, which runs libraries, museums, swimming pools and other cultural services
• Saving £127,000 through alternative methods for music tuition such as distance learning and group work
• Slashing grants for arts, sports and culture to the tune of £714,000
• Cutting up to 35 secondary school teacher jobs
• Closing or charging for public toilets
• Cutting bin collections to once every week or once a month
• Slicing half an hour from the primary school day
Council budget leader, councillor Maxine Smith said it was too early to say how many primary schools teachers could lose their posts.
The cuts would also take their toll on the winter maintenance budget and school cleaners could lose their jobs.
Section 2 outlines a range of £4m savings proposals that the council believes "will be harder to take forward".
They include axing a further 15 teacher jobs, cutting opening hours for recycling centre, increasing charging for burials and lairs, and curbing investment in infrastructure.
Over the past five years the council has already made more than £77 million of cuts.
• The budget consultation paper can be found online at www.highland.gov.uk/budgetconsultation or you can request a paper copy at a service point.
