Council plans 7% tax increase to fund teachers, social care, transport, and renewables in its £818m budget.
This budget sets rules for the next year. The tax rise may hurt homeowners, as inflation and energy costs are already up. The council will invest £21.5 million, specifically funding teaching, care, and transport.
A new Poverty and Equality Commission will be formed. Around 100 new jobs may be created. More bus firms could be bought, and more support will go to teachers, with social care also receiving increased funding.
Council leaders acknowledge the hardship of the tax rise. However, they emphasize that people will see where the money goes. A 5% rise supports core council services and is needed to balance the budget, while the extra 2% funds schools and housing projects.
Compared to other areas, this rise is lower than Moray’s 10% and Orkney’s 15% increase. Adult social care receives an additional £6 million, reaching a total of £148 million. The council will invest in community transport, allocating £6 million to help public bus services, potentially buying other bus companies; also, £8 million goes to renewable energy which may generate future income.
Pupils needing support will receive help. £1.04 million will improve services through a new management structure covering eight school groups. Specific learning support will also increase. The council is moving away from centralization, spending £500,000 on a new model that supports local areas and integrated services. This also sets conditions for the Highland Investment Plan.
For grass cutting, £450,000 goes to an ecology strategy, and access rangers get a boost of £665,000, aiding tourist areas like the North Coast 500. Communities can bid for funds through the “Repair the Highlands” fund, totaling £500,000, which promotes repair, reuse, and waste reduction.
£2 million will help teacher planning time, and another £1.2 million is for future leaders. Teachers gain time for preparation and collaboration. New teacher roles will help learning and development and will be based in 26 medium-sized primary schools.
Early learning and childcare will improve with eight assistants supporting operations. This frees up senior staff to lead. Care for families gets £250,000 more to fund workers who support needy families.
A Poverty and Equality Commission will be formed, getting £870,000 to link folks to benefits. Highland residents miss out on £70 million yearly. The commission will offer face-to-face help.
Government policies have caused issues. National Insurance hikes burdened the council. It got £6.4 million from the government, but still had £2.7 million remaining to pay.
The council must balance its budget. An infrastructure investment program exists, and the Scottish Government granted £642 million. With extra funds, £19.5 million required savings. The council has allocated £818 million after savings and revenue adjustments.