At a recent meeting of the Comhairle's Budget and Strategy Board, Members were told that analysis of this year’s draft Settlement has made clear that the Comhairle will again be forced to make savings and use reserves to reach a balanced budget.

While this year's Budget does represent an overall and welcome increase in Government support, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has seen significant real-terms cuts to its funding settlement over several years which combined with rising costs continues to place a significant strain on services.

Cllr Paul Steele, Leader of the Comhairle, said:

"While increases in funding are much needed and are very welcome the additional uncommitted funding that has been awarded to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is again simply not enough to deliver our services to the public at their current level. Year on year Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is expected to deliver the bad news and make the tough decisions for our community."

"I am again left frustrated that the Scottish Government's budget has not confirmed funding for the Comhairle's priority capital project, the Barra and Vatersay Community Campus. The people of Barra and Vatersay desperately need new facilities and the Comhairle is actively seeking assurances from Government that they will be delivered. We have also seen a failure to deliver increased funding to support the Comhairle's inter-island flight service. As I said last year, our communities deserve better."

At the meeting of the Budget and Strategy Board, it was agreed that the Comhairle will conduct online public consultation on priority areas and areas where savings may be found. These consultations will include proposals around the level of Council Tax increases which will be required to contribute to a balanced budget.

Cllr Steele continued:

"There can be no doubt that we will have to reduce funding for some services. Council Tax increases can help to mitigate the level of reductions required to around £2 million but the sad reality is that once again we have to look at service reductions in order to set a balanced budget"