Before the Scottish Borders Council's budget was passed, the Borders Conservative group presented it's own alternative budget.
In the budget, the party outlined plans to save £11 million, including an end to the no-compulsory redundancy policy and a cut-back on early-retirement pay-offs.
"We brought forward an alternative budget, because we wanted to scrutinise the council's budget, and we found there were a couple of things that were missing or needed adding.
"We are very concerned that they are cutting the early intervention and prevention for young people, through the children's young people and planning partnership.
"We were also concerned that they are getting rid of the wardens before we felt we had a chance to really look at what we could do with the service, and we don't want to see an increase to primary school meals."
– Councillor Michelle Ballantyne, Conservative Group Leader
The Scottish Borders Council's budget was approved by 20 votes to 10.
£450k possible funding for Theatre Royal in Dumfries
Theatre Royal in Dumfries, Scotland's oldest working theatre Credit: ITV Border
The leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Ivor Hyslop, has invited the Theatre Royal in Dumfries to discuss potential funding of £450,000, to help redevelop the historic property.
The invitation comes after the council approved the budget for the next financial year.
“The Administration’s budget, supported by Independent Councillors, strikes the right balance between making the savings we have to and, at the same time, continuing to invest in our region.
“I am pleased that we have been able to put together a targeted package of measures to support the region’s small businesses.
“We have also allocated £1 million of extra funding to roads maintenance, concentrating on rural lifeline links and urban housing estates, which we intend will be made available to local contractors. We have also removed altogether the charges for music tuition.”
– Councillor Ivor Hyslop, Leader, Dumfries and Galloway Council
“In today’s budget we increased the Living Wage to £7.50 an hour and continue to avoid compulsory redundancies. In total, as a result of today’s decision, the Council is devoting £1.6 million to addressing the pressures caused by welfare reform.
“We are also continuing to invest in early intervention, targeting more support at our most vulnerable children and school clusters. We are continuing with the successful teacher refresh scheme and have maintained classroom assistants where they are most needed.
“This budget balances the need to make savings with the need to invest in our region.”
– Councillor Collins, Depute Leader, Dumfries and Galloway Council
"Today Council approved the Administration's five year revenue and 10 year capital funding proposals.
" Although it is a difficult economic climate with more demands placed on the Council than ever before, our financial proposals do allow us to continue to invest in high quality well run public services throughout the Borders.
"Once again we are able to freeze the council tax for the 6th year in a row and continue to deliver a significant but sustainable programme of transformation of council services."
– Councillor David Parker, Leader of Scottish Borders Council
"The Administration’s budget agreed today is robust and affordable, and at its core protectsthe key service areas which are important to people in the Borders.
"Although the Council has a budget of around £250million we cannot meet every need and expectation, so it is important to focus on services which we are statutorily required to deliver, and deliver them to the highest possible standard.
"For example, we have provided additional funding of £1.3million for Social Work to ensure that we meet the needs of our growing elderly population, and give them the care that they deserve."
– Councillor Catriona Bhatia, Depute Leader, Scottish Borders Council
Scottish Borders council savings strategies released
A number of measures were proposed and approved in December 2012 by the Scottish Borders Council in a bid to reduce a £3.8 million funding gap in 2013/14.
These measures included:
A review of the Social Emotional and Behavioural Need Service (SEBN)
A review of social work business support services delivery model; all Social Care & Health Specialist Support Services and Social Work night-time support service
A review of the SB Wardens Service with the proposal to cease theservice by 2014/15
A review of Early Years delivery model as part of the implementation of the '600 hours' pre-school care and education package as part of the Children's Bill
The council have said that a number of further savings have now been agreed.
In the past three years Dumfries and Galloway council have reduced spending by almost £30 million.
They now need to save a further £27 million over the next three years, which is a saving of nearly £25,000 a day.
The council say that their immediate task is to save £7.2 million over the coming financial year.
The Scottish Borders Council have £250 million to spend over the next five years, and a further £191 million to spend on capital projects such as roads and schools over the next 10 years.
However, they have to save nearly £4 million over the coming financial year.
They say they will manage this without introducing compulsory redundancies, but say there will be changes to staff terms and conditions, including pay increases and bonuses.
Scottish Borders Council has outlined how it plans to save 3.8 million pounds over the next year.
Budget proposals have also been revealed for the next 10 years.
The local authority have again made assurances that there will be no compulsory redundancies, but they have changed terms and conditions for council workers.
