A COUNCILLOR has asked for budget proposals to be submitted at least 48 hours in advance of decision day for Argyll and Bute Council.
Councillor Tommy MacPherson (Independent, South Kintyre) has written to council leader Jim Lynch (SNP, Oban South and the Isles) and Conservative group leader Councillor Peter Wallace (Isle of Bute) to make the request.
The council will set its budget at a full meeting on Wednesday, February 25, with Councillor MacPherson asking that proposals be published by 10am on Monday, February 23.
The most recent update published by the authority suggested that a gap of at least £13 million will require to be filled when the budget is set.
In a statement, Councillor MacPherson said: “Residents across Argyll and Bute are being asked to accept repeated council tax rises while seeing ongoing reductions in frontline services, while the council must also meet approved senior officer salary increases in line with governance and policy.
“At the same time, the council has become increasingly reliant on reserves and borrowing to balance the budget. Audit Scotland has made clear that this approach is not sustainable.
“Their findings highlight serious pressures in children’s services and social care, where rising demand, high-cost placements, and workforce challenges continue to stretch already fragile services. These are not short-term problems and cannot be solved by incremental savings or rushed decision-making.
“For what is most likely the third year running, full budget proposals will be tabled too close to the vote, arriving too late for proper scrutiny, debate, and cross-party engagement.
“Councillors need adequate time to review proposals, challenge constructively, and build consensus that serves our communities.
“That is why I have written to [Councillors Lynch and Wallace] requesting that full budget proposals are shared with all councillors at least 48 hours before the full council budget meeting on Wednesday, February 25.
“Proper scrutiny, open debate, and the opportunity to build cross-party consensus are essential if we are to make better, longer-term decisions.
“All 36 members of the council, including myself, have received a copy of this summary, along with the letters to the two leaders, to ensure full transparency.
“If we are serious about protecting vital services and rebuilding trust with the communities we serve, we must improve both the decisions we take and the way we take them.”
