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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kevin Dyson

Labour group will outline South Ayrshire budget plans next week

Labour is set to outline its plans for this year's South Ayrshire Council budget next week.

While the Labour group is part of the SNP-led administration, depute council leader Brian McGinley said that he would be outlining the party's plans separately.

The budget setting meeting will take place on Thursday, March 3.

Ayr East councillor McGinley said: "I would anticipate preparing and sending out the Labour Group’s position on the budget later next week and I will outline our thinking approach and conditions in keeping with our values and commitments."

SNP Council leader Peter Henderson has already indicated that his administration would be forced to make hard decisions, even with additional financial support coming from the Scottish Government.

(Ayrshire Post)

He indicated that the SNP/Labour/Independent administration continued to work on the plans.

He said: "I and the administration are still working on the budget proposals due to the ever changing situation from Westminster allocations and the Scottish Government proposals.

"As you are aware there has been a one of payment announced by the Scottish Government and we await confirmation of the councils allocation.

"The consequential payment from the Westminster announcement allocation is also still awaited.

"As such these allocations will have an effect on final budget recommendations.

"The Administration will recommend the budget proposals in line with normal practice around budgets."

Conservative Group Leader Martin Dowey. (Ayrshire Post)

Conservative Group Leader Councillor Martin Dowey said that he would propose a capital budget which would include the cancellation of the £45m Ayr Leisure Centre and the redistribution of that investment across the county and road network.

Last week it was revealed that South Ayrshire Council wouldn't consult the public on the 2022/23 budget that will be announced on March 3.

Labour Group Leader Brian McGinley is set to reveal his party's approach to the budget next month. (Ayrshire Post)

The council will not publish the type of official proposals which were consulted on in the past.

This marks a shift from previous years where the council carried out formal budget proposals.

A council spokesman said: "It is our intention to publish the budget book on March 3, following the meeting."

The council had also indicated it would know where it stands financially by the end of last month, with this information enabling a 'medium to long term' consultation to take place.

Asked when this would be, the spokesman replied: "Discussions for the medium to long-term consultation are ongoing."

It is understood that a number of councils, including neighbouring East Ayrshire, are looking to impose a three percent council tax increase, even with the additional monies.

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