The price of a school meal will increase by 10p under new budget plans agreed by Perth and Kinross Council today.
Although the rise won’t come into effect until next year, it will result in parents paying £2 for primary school meals and £2.15 at secondary school level.
Meanwhile, a 5% increase in charges made by education and children’s services will see prices go up for school and community campus lets, equipment hire and sports development.
Care home fees will also rise by 2.5%, while the cost of cremations and burials will increase by 5% over the next 12 months.
There was some good news, however, as councillors pledged to dedicate almost £5 million to protecting frontline services.
The administration rejected a bid to cut services enjoyed across the area.
This includes the reinstatement of financial support for breakfast clubs, primary school swimming lessons, winter maintenance, public transport and rural recycling centres.
Meanwhile, one of the key priorities for Perth and Kinross Council will be youth employment.
Additional funding of £1.2m will be made available for a series of programmes, including modern apprenticeships, work experience for graduates and recruitment grants to encourage small and medium business to employ 18 to 24-year-olds.
A further £2.4m will also be invested in the roads infrastructure over the next three years.
Council leader Ian Miller said: “This is a budget which is focused on people and on the places where we live. Our commitment is to increase investment in the physical infrastructure of our area.
“Supporting people into work and generating jobs remains our priority.
“We have had considerable success with youth employment schemes and this budget continues to invest in this vital work, making jobs, training and advice available to even more residents of Perth and Kinross.”
For more, see Friday’s Courier.