Schools budget to be slashed
WEST Lothian's education budget is set to be the hardest hit after the council revealed its figures for cutting £45 million over the next four years.
More than 8m is proposed to be chopped from nursery, primary and secondary schools as council chiefs struggle to balance the books in preparation for a massive cuts package that will kick in next year.
Charges could also be introduced for the personal care of those under 65 with physical disabilities, generating 100,000 and two council-run care homes – Limecroft in Dedridge and Whitdale in Whitburn – may be closed with the loss of 64 beds. The older people's budget might also be reduced by 1.281m.
On the day the UK Government announced an immediate 6 billion of cuts to public services, West Lothian Council unveiled its 231-page document called Tough Choices Ahead For West Lothian detailing figures of its cost-cutting measures.
The document highlights the council's "efficiencies" plans, which make up 56 per cent of the 45m. Service cuts will make up a further 10.9m (24 per cent) and new charges and subsidies will bring in a further 8.8m (20 per cent).
In conjunction with its release the council has launched the biggest public consultation in its history and, through it, hopes county residents will give feedback on the proposals.
Savings will be made through a mixture of job losses, cuts to services and new charges for council services and facilities including sports and town centre car parks.
Education is the biggest drain on council finances, taking up more than half its annual budget, and a total of 8.232m will be cut, with more than half of that (4.177m) going next year under the proposals.
Staffing levels in schools could be cut and nursery nurses would replace 50 per cent of pre-school teachers.
There are also to be reductions in early years projects saving 140,000, and swimming provision (560,000), while free milk will be targeted to those receiving free school meals, saving 123,000.
Another area facing big cuts is environmental services where 6.013m could be trimmed. Around 600,000 would be saved on cleaning services and a further 380,000 on the maintenance of public spaces.
Environmental enforcement, which covers fly-tipping, litter, graffiti and dog fouling may see a drop of 340,000. The winter maintenance budget would be cut by 326,000.
Response times for neighbourhood environment teams (Nets) could be increased from three days to ten, and there would be a 25 charge for bulky uplifts from households, which will generate income and save 470,000.
Council-subsidised bus services may also be cancelled and up to 1,000 jobs are proposed to go across the board in all council departments.
Outgoing council chief executive Alex Linkston said: "The budget is agreed for this year and we are in a stronger position than any other local authority in Scotland.
"Government spending plans will come through in October before we know what we will get from the Scottish Parliament in mid-December.
"As these are only proposals at the moment, we will only start to plan in December as, legally, we have to have a budget in place by March.
"We have been told there will be a tight budget for the next ten years and we have to get the initial decisions right for the long-term. They have to be sustainable decisions and not just for the short-term.
"It's the easiest thing in the world to cut a budget, but it is hard to focus on priorities that are best for the public.
"There is to be 12 per cent in real term cuts and it might be more. Fuel and energy prices are going up, which affects the likes of schools, street lighting and council vehicles.
"We are encouraging our staff to think out of the box to help us make these decisions. We will have to group some schools together to reduce the number of teachers and maximise efficiencies.
"Some services will be discontinued, ones that offer less value for the pound, and we hope there will be more input from the voluntary sector to help deliver services."
The policy, partnership and resources area, which includes a number of "back office" council departments could see a drop of 3.577m in revenue with other cuts in culture and leisure (2.501m); social policy (4.158m); health and care (228,000); voluntary organisation (569,000); services for the community (636,000); and development and transport (2.017m).
Feedback for the public consultation where county residents and organisations can put forward ideas or comments on any proposals must be in by 30 June.
West Lothian Labour group education spokesman Councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick attacked the council's plans to cut so much from the schools budget.
He said: "What is proposed is an outrageous affront to the excellent education provision in our county. Teachers and pupils will suffer and it is to the detriment of opportunity, which is the hallmark of the system."
But council leader Peter Johnston stressed the proposals were not guaranteed, and that any objections should be countered with better ideas.
He said: "This is only a starting point and these proposals come from our officers who are the people who know and understand how we deliver our services.
"If these suggestions are not the way forward then we have to find others. Some people say just raise council tax levels, and while I'm not ruling out a rise as it may well be part of the solution, this would mean a 700 rise at band D level.
"When I was elected council leader in 2007 I did not see this coming. No-one did. Political groups will have to make their minds up on what they support, and if they don't support these changes then alternatives have to be put forward.
"I am absolutely convinced we are doing the right thing in being open about this. No other council in Scotland is doing what we are.
"No decisions will be taken until after 30 November. Now is the time for people to consider these officer-led proposals and give us their views."
The Tough Choices information packs are available to view at all libraries, community centres, housing offices, council information services (CIS) centres and at www.westlothian.gov.uk/change
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