Most Councils In Scotland Are Preparing To Make Huge Cuts To Services

29th September 2023

Since the last local government settlement to councils from the Scottish government there has been a continual series of desperate please regarding services.

Today signalling what is to come around the country is North Lanarkshire who have announced serious budget cuts.

North Lanarkshire Council is to close 39 swimming pools, sports centres, libraries and community facilities to plug a budget shortfall. It plans to shut facilities including the Matt Busby Sports Centre in Bellshill and the John Smith Pool in Airdrie to save £4.7m a year.

The leisure facilities that will close are:

Aquatec, Motherwell
Old Daisy Park Centre, Motherwell
Keir Hardie Sports Centre, Holytown
Kilsyth Pool, Kilsyth
Antonine Sports Hub
Iain Nicolson Centre, Chryston
Palacerigg Golf Course, Cumbernauld
John Smith Pool, Airdrie
Coatbridge Outdoor Sports Centre/Janet Hamilton Centre
Lochview Golf Course, Coatbridge
Birkenshaw Sports Barn
Sir Matt Busby Sports Centre, Bellshill
Shotts Leisure Centre

Glasgow's finance director said all councils were on a "knife edge", with inflation creating huge challenges.

MSPs were told "ring fencing" of central government funding meant services such as libraries, refuse and leisure services would be hit hardest.

Highland council face possibly he worst budget position for many years. The last few years have seen a series of cuts and the next 3 years look to be even worse. There will be unavoidable redundancies and possible cuts to wide range of services over and above hose already being. The Highland council gave an update at its recent meeting For 2023/24 the council is in the process of making savings of £22.183million. The report provided an update of how the savings target was going. The Council had already committed to utilise a significant element of its reserves (£23.3m) to fund the current 2023/24 revenue budget.

Forecast Budget Gap - at March'23 for four years from 24/25 - £46.7m £19.0m £18.6m £18.1m.
The council budget is complex and the mid year review can be read HERE

At the same meeting the Capital budget was slashed with many projects put on hold. See it at
Capital Review

Big decisions will come at the next full budget decision making meeting later this year or early 2024 depending on when the Scottish Government announces the local government settlement.