Council leader warns Angus faces more tough budget decisions
ByNews reporter
A senior councillor has admitted next year’s Angus Council budget will be more challenging than the last.
Public consultation has been launched on savings proposals for 2012/13, and it has been agreed a further £6 million must be found to stay on target.
Despite that figure being £2.4 million less than this year’s cut, council leader Bob Myles anticipates a greater struggle as efficiencies become harder to come by.
He said: ”As we revealed last year, Angus Council needs to deliver around £23 million of savings by 2014.
”We agreed £8.4 million of savings in this year’s budget and we’re on target to achieve that. However, next year’s £6 million savings target is going to be an even bigger challenge because we are starting with less.”
The council has a four-pronged approach improving efficiency, reducing staff costs, focusing services and increasing income.
The council was in the spotlight last year after a freedom of information request into its credit card costs. Included was a Zumba training course and memberships for 10 instructors, totalling £3,035.
