OIC promises “firm foundation” as budget planning begins

Orkney’s newly elected Councillors have started the budget planning process in preparation for considerable financial challenges in the year ahead.

Due to a predicted reduction in financial support from the Scottish Government, combined with an ever-increasing demand for a range of council services, a gap of £12 million is likely to develop between 2017 and 2022.

This comes amidst recent uncertainties caused by the results of the UK General Election. According to OIC political leader, James Stockan, the scale of these challenges has meant that the budgeting process has started earlier than it has in previous years.

“The last five years have been a time of unprecedented change for local authorities in Scotland,” he explained.

“With a year-on-year decline in Government funding, OIC has already made budget savings of almost £11 million over that five-year-period.”

According to the Stromness and South Isles councillor, this has included around a 50 per cent reduction in senior management staff at OIC. Looking ahead, he believes there will be considerable financial challenges to be faced, but assured that the council will strive to find ways — wherever possible — to minimise the impact on the Orkney community, as well as OIC and its staff.

“The process we are following will provide a firm foundation as we prepare for the years ahead,” he affirmed.

A range of potential options to bridge the funding gap will be carefully considered over the coming months, with final decisions taken at a budget setting meeting of the Full Council in February 2018.

OIC say they will continue to push for an increase in external funding – including fair funding for Orkney’s inter-island ferry service, as well as looking at ways to generate additional income through investment projects.