The multi-million pound winter maintenance overspend in Perth and Kinross has wiped out any hopes of a revenue budget surplus for the council.
The authority had hoped to save £1.2 million across every department, but the cost of tackling months of icy weather means there is expected to be an overspend of £477,000.
The Courier revealed this week that the cost of activities such as gritting, snow clearing and weather-related repairs is expected to run to £5.5 million by the end of the winter almost double the £2.8 million set aside.
Council leader Ian Miller warned yesterday’s meeting of the strategic policy and resources committee there could yet be further financial hardship if another arctic blast blows in this year.
He said, “The environment service has moved from being in balance at our last report to a projected overspend of £2.5 million. All of this is due to the spell of exceptionally severe weather.
“This projection is based on us encountering an average winter from here on in. If further disruptive conditions are experienced then that figure could increase.”Rescue centreAmong the burdens for the council this year were the cost of setting up a rescue centre for 600 stranded motorists in November alongside and additional £200,000 of emergency repairs that were carried out to council houses.
He said the general fund revenue budget overspend represented only 0.16% of the year’s total amount.
“I think that is reasonable … including the anticipated winter maintenance overspend. There would have been a £1.2 million projected surplus had it not been for the unforeseen weather events earlier in the year.”
A £657,000 Scottish Government grant from its “pothole fund” will help ease some of the burden.
Questioned on the winter response, Mr Miller pledged a review of the council’s operations would be carried out to see if there had been mistakes made.
Councillor Archie MacLellan said, “Our staff have done a magnificent job throughout the winter weather, but it’s not true to say there have been no negative comments whether they’re justified or not is another matter.
“Once the winter is over we need a review to ensure we got our procedures and priorities right and there was nothing we could have done better.”
Councillor John Kellas said, “The feedback we’re getting from community councils has been very positive indeed, and they have been passing on compliments to staff for the efforts they’ve made and there is a recognition there are conflicting pressures and priorities through this time.”