Why Is Local Government In Such Trouble? Radio 4 Programme

19th January 2024

Today at 11.00am a programme on the BBC RADIO 4 at 11.00am highlights the problems facing local government in England.

Scottish councils also have serious problems facing them with staff reductions and cuts being looked at for the next financial year

The programme is available on https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001vbrr

While highland council financial issue may not be on the scale of some English councils they are extremely serious.
The council meeting on 14th December 2023 Budget Update at item 7 reported many problems that will need to be dealt with in the budget setting meeting in February 2024.
budget setting meeting in February 2024
Pdf

The Highland council has managed to balance its budget in the last years since 2008 very well but this has meant many changes to services. Also use of reserves helps alleviate the worst of the changes but this may not be available for much longer as reserves are being depleted.