West Lothian Council budget slashed by £50m

Nov 19 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

THE West Lothian public are to be consulted on spending priorities for the council.

For it has emerged that a total of £50 million will be lost from the county’s spending budget over the next four years.

West Lothian Council have already revealed they must axe over £5 million from the 2010/11 budget.

But financial matters are set to get worse – with council officials drawing up plans to cope with a 12 per cent decrease in the budget over the following three years.

This would mean, in real terms, a reduction of £45 million from West Lothian’s budget.

Now council leader Peter Johnston says he plans to consult the West Lothian public on what they think the council should be spending money on as they look to identify areas where savings can be made.

The consultation process will begin early in the new year and Councillor Johnston says any ideas will be taken on board as the council prepare the budget for 2011/12.

Although the final grant allocation figures for the council are not yet in, Councillor Johnston says officials must plan for the worse case scenario as the cuts are the result of the cash allocation from the UK government.

“We haven’t got the figures yet but that’s what we are predicting will be the result,” Councillor Johnston said.

“This is money which is being removed from our budget. We are working hard to find solutions to this.

“Our officers are working on options based on a reduction of 12 per cent for the next three years.

“In West Lothian terms that equates to a reduction of £45 million.

“We are looking at how on earth we can reduce the budget and still maintain and deliver our quality frontline services.

“We will be conducting a consultation process with the West Lothian community in the new year.

“We will want to consult on what will be the priorities for spending what is not an insubstantial amount.

“Around £380 million will be left to spend. This is still a substantial amount but to lose £45 million is a serious blow.”

However, Councillor Johnston says the council’s current sound financial position will help them deal with the situation.

“We will need to look at working smarter and flexible working,” he added.

“We want to know what our priorities should be.

“Should we continue to do everything or are there areas we can cut back on?

“That is the exercise our officers are currently engaged in.

“They will make their presentation to the council in early January.

“We want to have a genuine consultation process on what our priorities should be for the extensive budget we will still have left to spend.

“At this stage it is too early to say what we are going to do about making savings in years to come, but we are well in front of the game in terms of putting forward a balanced budget for next year.

“I think the that the UK public finances are in such a state we could be facing a decade of this.”

However, the council leaders claims of cuts in the cash allocation from the UK government have been attacked by Labour councillor Graeme Morrice.

He told the Courier the Scottish Government would receive more money from Westminster next year and it was misplaced priorities from the SNP which had led to savings being necessary.

Councillor Morrice said: “There will be an increase of £600 million in cash terms to the Scottish Government budget for the coming year and they have got their priorities.

“Rather than spend it on public services, it has been wasted on their ego trips of having an independence referendum which will cost millions. Equally, the SNP locally have gotten their priorities wrong too. Rather than squandering their money on foreign junkets, which they have been for the past two years, they should be using it to reinstate the £10 Christmas payment to pensioners which they have decided to cut from next year.”