OIC sets budget and council tax for year ahead

The OIC policy and resources committee has set the local authority’s budget and council tax level for 2013/14.

Members of the committee approved a £74.456 million budget in the coming financial year, which takes into account a council tax freeze and over £1.1 million in efficiency savings.

It was also proposed to put £4.093 million of interest earned from the OIC’s strategic reserve fund towards running council services, giving a total budget of £79.5 million.

As part of the planned savings, a report before the committee stated that a number of jobs will be cut, but “where reasonably possible” compulsory redundancies would be avoided.

It was also agreed that although settlement figures have been provided by the Scottish Government for two years — £67.286 million for 2013/14, and £67.403 million for 2014/15 — the budget is set for one year only.

Along with the council tax freeze, as part of the proposed budget, the local authority also outlined its commitment to maintaining teacher numbers in line with pupil numbers, and securing places for all probationary teachers in the county.

The council’s executive directors have also been given the go ahead to increase charges for council services by a minimum of three per cent.

However, the inter-isles ferry fares, building warrant and planning fees, residential care and home care, and licensing fees are not included in this increase.

The committee’s recommendation will now go to a special meeting of the full council on Thursday, February 14, for final ratification.