Extra cash for nursery and pre-school provision in OIC settlement

Orkney Islands Council is due to receive a funding package of £67.7 million from the Scottish Government for the next financial year.

The “settlement” for local government in Scotland was announced today by the cabinet secretary for finance, John Swinney.

The funding for the OIC is £291,000 more than had been anticipated. However, £222,000 of this will help cover the additional cost of extra nursery and pre-school provision. The Scottish Government is introducing legislation which will increase the entitlement for three and four year old children from 475 to 600 hours each year. 

Councillors have been involved in detailed discussions with the OIC’s senior management team as part of the budget-setting process. The budget for 2014-15 will be set at a meeting of the full council in February.

Chief Executive Alistair Buchan said: “The financial climate remains extremely challenging. But our budget process is rigorous and for months now we have been planning ahead to ensure the Council is well prepared for the year before us.

“Providing we continue to stay on top of our budget – and we continue to plan and manage effectively – I am confident that Orkney will come through this recession strongly.”