Budget 2024/26 Consultation - Phase 2 (February 2024)
People are being encouraged to have their say on a range of Inverclyde Council budget saving proposals worth almost £3 million and could result in the loss of 70 jobs.
The council has today, Friday 2 February 2024, launched the second phase of its budget consultation covering the 2024/26 period.
It includes a package of proposed savings totalling £2.9m, which could result in substantial job losses and reduced services, and options for increasing Council Tax over the next two years.
As it stands, the council faces a funding gap of £2m during 2024/26, depending on the level of Council Tax and the use of reserves.
An online survey has now been launched seeking the views of residents on four Council Tax scenarios that include options to accept the Scottish Government freeze or for the local authority to set its own rates.
The consultation also asks for feedback on 16 budget savings proposals that, if all are taken, would save £2.9m and result in the loss of up to 70 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs across a range of services.
Proposals include switching off public space CCTV, stopping the community warden service, closing Gourock’s recycling centre, and reductions across services such as employability, community grants, grounds maintenance, customer services, libraries, school music tuition, and nursery provision.
Feedback from the consultation will help councillors to make decisions when setting the budget.
Local authorities have a legal obligation to deliver a balanced budget before the end of March 2024 with a date to be set for the budget meeting.
The Inverclyde Council 2024/26 budget consultation phase two will run until Wednesday 14 February 2024.
The consultation survey is now available via the link in the Related Links section of this page.