Council budget blog asks - can some services be provided less often?

6th June 2014

People in the Highlands are being invited - on a new blog - to have their say on how the Council should meet its savings target of £63.7m over the next 4 years.

On Monday (9 June), The Highland Council will launch its 2014 budget blog on the home page of its website: www.highland.gov.uk. The Budget Blog is another way in which people are able to let the Council know how they would to see savings being made.

Budget Consultation Forums have been taking place across Highland over the last two weeks and the blog provides an opportunity for those who could not attend forums to have their say. People who have attended their local forum are also encouraged to make further comments.

The blog will ask two sets of questions each week to encourage discussion about how we provide our services and if there are ways we can generate income and prevent future costs.

The first topic is: "Can we provide some services less, some less frequently or stop providing some altogether?" It will ask about how we can provide services more efficiently, which might result in a reduction in some services.

One suggestion will consider if the Council should merge some schools that are close together or have old buildings. It looks for suggestions of what factors the Council should consider when deciding which schools to merge.

It also asks if we could shorten the school day by 30 minutes for Primary 4-7 pupils which could save over £3m. Shortening the school day would result in savings as additional staff will not need to be hired to cover 2.5 hours a week not currently included in teachers contracts.

The blog also asks for opinions on other suggestions, such as a reduction in street lighting or the frequency of bin collections. It could also mean reducing the grants we give to organisations or to High Life Highland, which could result in the reduction or closure of some services they provide.

The blog will open for comments on Monday 9 June and the Council's Budget Leader Councillor Maxine Smith, will lead the discussion. The aim of the consultation is to understand the public's priorities as the Council aims to make savings of £63.7m over the next 4 years.

Councillor Smith said: "I hope people will get involved with the blog, and offer their views and comments on our suggestions. This is a great opportunity to engage and have your voice heard, especially if you were unable to attend your local Budget Forum.

"The first topic about reducing services is an important topic and will affect people in all areas, across all age groups. This is a chance for you to let us know your priorities and I look forward to engaging with you in this discussion."

The next few topics will consider what the Council could do to generate more income, how we should provide our services, including working more with voluntary groups and public sector partners, and how we can organise our customer service provision (Service Points).

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

Today : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.  

Today : Local Authority

Paper Targets vs. Human Crises: The Reality of the Highland Housing Strategy

The Highland Council’s newly unveiled Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027–2032 paints a glossy, optimistic picture of the region's future.   It promises a steady pipeline of 700 affordable homes a year, framed alongside a booming £10–£16 billion "Growth Deal" linked to green freeports and renewable energy expansion.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland Council Housing Investment: £84 Million Programme Faces Delays as Building Costs Rise

Highland Council is forecasting expenditure of almost £75 million on its housing capital programme during 2026/27, against an original budget of nearly £84 million, as rising building costs, project delays and the availability of additional government funding influence its investment plans.   A Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital monitoring report, covering expenditure to 31 August 2026, is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland Council's Housing and Property Plans: Progress Being Made, But Costs and Contractor Shortages Remain a Problem

Highland Council is making progress on a range of housing and property projects, but rising construction costs, shortages of contractors and uncertainty over future funding continue to threaten delivery.   A progress report covering the second quarter of 2026/27 is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Almost 2,500 Empty Homes in Highland: Can the Council Turn Empty Properties into Much-Needed Housing?

Highland Council is stepping up its efforts to bring long-term empty properties back into residential use, but early results from its £1 million Empty Homes Challenge Fund suggest that turning the policy into actual homes may prove more difficult than anticipated.   A report going before the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November provides an update on the strategy introduced in November 2025.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland Housing: Homelessness Reaches Record Level Despite Good Council Performance

The number of people presenting as homeless in the Highlands has reached its highest level in three years, highlighting the growing pressure on housing services despite some encouraging performance figures from Highland Council.   A report covering the six months from April to September 2026 is being considered by the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

3/11/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland's Growth Ambitions: Billions in Investment Promised, But Can the Numbers Really Add Up?

Highland Council has set out an ambitious vision for the economic future of the Highlands, with the possibility of attracting between £10 billion and £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.   On paper, it is an impressive prospect.  

3/11/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness Committee approves six Community Regeneration Fund applications - £237,155

The Caithness Area Committee which met (Monday 2 November 2026) has approved six applications submitted to the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF).   This approval securing significant investment to support local projects that will benefit communities across the north.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.