As Perth and Kinross Council comes to terms with “expenditure pressures” which require cuts of more than £5 million to be made in the coming year, councillors face difficult decisions next week.
On Thursday they will consider where they believe savings can be made but it looks likely that more or less every aspect of local life will be impacted.
The revenue budget for 2016-2019 which explores different possibilities was published on Friday, outlining potential courses of action for councillors to take.
It will then be up to the individual parties to fight their corner and argue for the retention of services that they regard as essential.
“It really depends on what priorities they choose,” said one councillor.
The residential care that older people receive is an area where there is considerable cost to the council and a review has been suggested.
“Perth and Kinross has one of the highest projected population growth rates in Scotland, with significant growth predicted in the number of older people between the ages of 65-85 and over-85,” says the 140-page document.
It is predicted that a redesign of council provision in relation to direct care home provision could save £696,000 in 2018/19.
A review of community care packages for adults could lead to a net saving of £1.37 million over the next three years, if accepted.
A controversial suggestion is a reduction by 50% of the number of learning disability clients supported by the council which would save £234,000.
And community wardens could be withdrawn over a two-year period netting a £300,000 saving.