Inverness councillors approve revised savings target
Revised proposals for identifying £220,000 worth of savings in roads and community works’ services in the Inverness area were approved by The Highland Council’s City of Inverness and Area Committee today (Monday 19th June).
At last week’s meeting, members expressed concern at the proposed reduction in road sweeping and ground maintenance but at a special meeting today (Monday) they accepted fresh proposals presented by Neil Gillies, Head of Roads and Community Works, which they recognised would have less impact on direct service delivery through a combination of improved working practices and more efficient use of resources.
The Area Committee was told that the TEC Services Committee agreed on 23 March, this year, to identify operational savings of £1,315,000 in 2006-7 as part of a range of measures to meet a total savings target of £3,134,000.
These savings, which have been allocated across TEC Services, include operational savings – i.e. reduction in non essential overtime, £710,000; reduction in external hired labour, £150,000; and reduction in spending on owned and hired vehicles and plant, £455,000.
The share of the savings allocated to Inverness was £220,000, a sum which represents 2.9% of the overall budget allocation for roads and community works for the Inverness Area (£7,594,000).
Following an examination of the full range of roads and community works activities, it was agreed to reduce non-essential overtime by £85,000; external hired labour by £67,000; owned plant and vehicles by £38,000; and hire vehicles and plant, £30,000.
Mr Gillies advised members that through improvements to operational practice and improved use of plant, including extended use of the “ride on” sweeper in the city centre, the effects of the proposed reductions could be minimised. The main change will be a rationalisation of the weekend service, which will not affect the city centre. The weekday service would remain unchanged.
There were currently four mechanical road sweepers based in the City of Inverness and Area. One sweeper had not been fully used, and it was proposed that this item of plant be disposed of. There effect on service will be minimised through improved forward planning, This proposal will not affect the small pavement sweepers, and the ride on precinct sweeper.
The savings would have no impact on refuse collection.
While a reduction in seasonal grounds maintenance staff would result in an extended maintenance cycle, works would be programmed to ensure minimal reduction in high amenity areas. There would be a reduction in standards in the general and low amenity areas.
Burials and cremations would not be affected.
Additional funding from the Scottish Executive of £384,500 for road maintenance in Inverness would be used to improve roads, footways and bridges. Key activities such as dealing with safety defects and gully cleaning would be unaffected.
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