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Our Man in Westminster: Highland Council's budget is the 'best of local politics'





MP Drew Hendry.
MP Drew Hendry.

MP Drew Hendry praises the budget setting process at the local authority as progressive

This pandemic has taught us that we cannot lower our guard or take things for granted, however, along with spring’s arrival, it seems as though we can look forward to brighter times.

Coronavirus numbers appear to be dropping, our children are returning to school, and vaccinations are growing apace.

It is also budget season, which delivers a bit more financial certainty for the year ahead.

The much-delayed UK budget has been a real planning headache for Scotland’s finance secretary Kate Forbes, who had to deliver Scotland’s budget without knowing what the UK settlement would be.

UK rules mean the Scottish Government must have a balanced budget, by law, and has no credible borrowing powers, so the wait to find out how much of our tax is returned to us through the Barnett formula has been a testing one.

Thankfully, the finance secretary was still able to commit to providing the funding to support the broadest possible range of people and crucially to Highland Council, which provides so much of our local services.

Early in the pandemic, the then budget leader on the council predicted a whopping £97 million deficit. I admit to raising an eyebrow at that, however, there were, indeed, clear financial challenges.

In a rare political move, which took me back a few years, we saw what I believe is the best of local politics. Recognising these extraordinary circumstances, the Highland SNP group used its role as the main opposition to put forward a range of progressive measures for the budget, coming together with their long-term political rivals to support a recovery budget.

The result – a projected £97 million deficit is now a surplus estimated to be up to £10 million. That is quite a turnaround and, crucially, this budget will protect a range of services and infrastructure investments.

Highland Council’s deputy leader Alasdair Christie said: “The budget will be moved by myself and seconded by the SNP – it is a fantastic piece of collaboration for the benefit of the Highlands.”

There will be no council tax rises for hard-pressed families. New visitor facilities are to be created for communities that have been overwhelmed by visitors, and £20 million has been set aside for roads investment.

This joint work is good news for the Highlands and our communities, and if this is combined with the expected relaxation of restrictions, it will hopefully put a spring in our steps.


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