William Eichler 24 August 2018

Highland Council warns of £5.1m overspend

A Scottish council has warned of ‘harder times ahead’ as it projects a £5m plus overspend for the year.

The Highland Council’s corporate revenue monitoring statement for the first quarter of the financial year predicts a £5.1m overspend for the coming year.

Budget leader Cllr Alister Mackinnon said that ‘urgent action’ was required to bring expenditure back under control by next March.

The council’s reserves, which are at about £8m, are below the minimum level recommended by Audit Scotland, Cllr Mackinnon warned.

‘It is vital that they are not depleted further by a year end overspend,’ he said.

‘This is an early warning and we are determined to take the necessary corrective actions, in a business-like manner, recognising the seriousness of the situation.’

This was particularly urgent, Cllr Mackinnon argued, because the area may experience another hard winter which would deplete the authority’s reserves further.

The Highland Council last March projected a £2m overspend in its winter maintenance budget after severe winter weather at weekends and bank holidays pushed up its labour costs.

The council yesterday said it intended on bringing forward a three year plan to provide certainty for staff and communities.

‘It is clear that there are harder times ahead,’ said Cllr Mackinnon.

‘It is more important than ever to find every possible means of income generation to avoid job losses and protect essential services.’

Council staff have been asked to take action now to avoid non-essential expenditure and to consider deferral of non-priority activity.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

HR Onboarding Officer (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (Pay award pending)
You have an opportunity to be part of a busy Human Resources team which offers HR support across the Council. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Purchase to Pay Administrator (Fixed Term) - WMF2122e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£25,584 - £25,992
We are looking for an Administrator to join our Purchase to Pay and Accounts Receivables team Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Social Worker - WMF2123e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£41,511 - £42,708
We’re looking for passionate social workers to join our team in Kendal following a recent reshape of our services. Kendal, Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Environmental Health Officer

Wyre Borough Council
£38,626 - £41,511
We are looking to appoint a full time Environmental Health Officer within the Environmental Protection and Community Safety Department. Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council

Trainee Graduate Accountant

Wyre Borough Council
£25,992 - £37,938
Are you looking to kickstart your career in Finance? Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire
Recuriter: Wyre Borough Council
Linkedin Banner