Council's 'light touch' budget approved

Moray Council have approved their budget for the year ahead, warning that although it is not as tough as in recent years, some savings will still need to be made in the future.

Councillors approve 'light touch' budget

Councillors approved what they have dubbed their ‘light touch’ revenue budget for the year ahead.

Despite freezing council tax, deputy convener Councillor Allan Wright who proposed the administration’s budget said that savings would still require to be made in the coming years as the squeeze on public spending continued.

For the fifth year in a row there will be no increase in council tax, with properties in Band D again being pegged at £1,135.

Councillor Wright said it was the current administration’s final revenue budget before the council elections in May.

It also came at the end of a financial year when the council had delivered savings of £3million.

Councillor Wright said it was right and proper to fulfil the administration’s promise of a light touch budget for 2012-13.

"What we are proposing is virtually a ‘no change’ budget for the year ahead, but with a clear indication that further savings will be required in future years as reductions in public spending continue to bite," he said.

Councillor Wright - who last month unveiled a 10-year capital plan containing £320million of investment - said balancing the books would require just over £1million to be taken from balances forecast for the end of the current financial year.

"This administration does not like taking money from reserves for revenue purposes and it was that unwillingness that helped to secure the reserves that will now pay for the ambitious capital plan.

"But the core grant from Scottish Government has been reduced by £630,000 and we have decided to cover that from reserves. Similarly, we allocated £450,000 from reserves last year to maintain all existing community facilities. We are doing the same again this time."