Hebrides jobs and services feel impact of funding gap

“£3.5m in service cuts”

Millions of pounds of cuts need to be made for Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to balance its books and staff will be asked to consider voluntary redundancy or work reduced hours to help meet the demands of budget constraints.

Half of what the Comhairle spends each year goes on its workforce and with the Local Authority facing a funding gap of £5.5m in 2011-12 £2m will be sought through efficiency savings and £3.5m in service cuts.

“Members in Stornoway”

The public will be asked for their input during a series of meetings in September to formulate a plan of reducing costs.

A Comhairle spokesman highlighted: “Significant savings have already been achieved through a number of early retirements from within the teaching profession and it is proposed this opportunity be offered to other staff over the summer period.

“Staff will also be offered the opportunity to reduce their hours voluntarily.”

In the early part of this week it was speculated that more than 400 jobs could be cut at the Comhairle – driving up the Western Isles unemployment figures by 75% – however this speculation was described as “alarmist” by the Local Authority’s Leader, Angus Campbell.

Further debate on the funding gap is expected to take place this evening at a full meeting of Council members in Stornoway.

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