BREAKING: Council to cut spending by £11 Million

It has emerged that up to 130 full time posts are to be shed by Scottish Borders Council as the local authority seeks to cut revenue spending by £11 million over the next financial year.

That savings target, confirmed today, is the result of a reduced local government settlement from the Scottish Government and the freezing of Council Tax for a ninth successive year.

At his media briefing toady, SBC leader David Parker unveiled a revenue budget of £262.3m on behalf of his ruling Independent/SNP/Lib Dem administration.

It is due to be ratified by the full council on Thursday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said his council, despite “considerable financial challenges”, was in a better position than most Scottish local authorities as a result of the ongoing efficiencies it had achieved by transforming its structure and the way it did business.

But he said an impact on staffing levels was “inevitable”.

Around 48 of the jobs destined for the chop are in management and related administrative grades across the council.

Another 40 will be additional needs assistants (ANAs) in the region’s schools, following a comprehensive review of that service.

Mr Parker said that many of the posts set to be axed were already unfilled as his council had been preparing for potential staff reductions.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Alongside a 9.77% natural staff turnover, we will be able to have a managed workforce reduction, thus minimising the need for compulsory redundancies,” he told Tweeddale Press.

“We must remain focused on delivering high quality services.”