An Angus budget, drawn up to address an £18 million shortfall, was described by the authority’s leader as the toughest he has ever seen.
The package paves the way for a 3% increase in council tax, the loss of up to 600 jobs in the next three years and the introduction of parking charges on October 1.
It was passed unanimously on Thursday without no alternative put up by the opposition SNP group, but concerns over impacts on teacher numbers and school staff, as well as the future of local recycling centres, were highlighted.
Coalition administration finance convener, Angus Macmillan Douglas said it was set against a “backcloth of a number of significant financial challenges”.
“It is easy to forget Angus Council is a multi-million pound organisation that provides an enormously diverse range of services,” he added.
“Across all our activities our annual turnover is close to £400m and we employ nearly 5,000 staff.
“Although our consideration of the budget will understandably focus on where savings are being made and additional income generated, it is important to stress that despite those savings, we will still be spending substantial sums in the provision of vital public services.”
The Kirriemuir and Dean Conservative councillor said spending included £98m on schools and learning services; £27m on children and young people services; £45m through the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership, £18m on roads, transport and property services, £18m on waste, parks, planning and protective services, £14m on financing loans and £6m on culture, leisure and sports services.
On the introduction of parking charges, he said: “We must be quite clear that consultation will be on how it is carried out and not on if or when — it will be from October 1 2018.”
He promised Angus charges would be at “competitive rates.”
Arbroath Independent David Fairweather said: “Do I welcome parking charges? Absolutely not.
“Do I feel they are required – unfortunately the answer to that is yes.”
Carnoustie Independent councillor David Cheape said he found it “unbelievable ” that school secretary posts are to be removed and also hit out against cuts to pupil support staff, saying it would be “devastating” for children who are at a disadvantage and vulnerable.
“This will have serious consequences,” he warned.
The authority’s strategic director of resources, Mark Armstrong, said the roles were being removed as their budgets had been under-utilised, but added the situation would be monitored.
Council leader Bob Myles, the Independent member for Brechin and Edzell, told the Forfar meeting that, as a councillor since 1999, this had been the most difficult budget to achieve.
“Our grant from the Scottish Government has been seriously cut and as that provides around 80% of our income, it puts severe pressure on our staff to achieve a balanced budget and still retain the services our public have come to expect,” he said.
“There will be pressures on the council and there are savings put forward today I would rather not have had to do.
“We heard from teachers’ representatives this morning how reductions may affect the education of our children; we are making every effort to ensure that does not happen.”
