Moray Council’s Environmental Protection Service sets out priorities and budget for 2026/27
Moray Council’s Environmental Protection Service has outlined its priorities and investment plans for the year ahead, focusing on essential services that keep communities clean, safe and well maintained.
The service is responsible for waste and recycling collections, maintaining parks and open spaces, managing cemeteries, school catering, and building cleaning across the council estate. The 2026/27 budget supports these day-to-day activities, alongside targeted capital investment in key areas.
The revenue budget for 2026/27 will fund core operational services, including waste and recycling collections; operation of Household Waste and Recycling Centres; street sweeping, litter picking and bin emptying; grass cutting and maintenance of parks and open spaces; cemetery management and burial services; school meal preparation; cleaning and janitorial services across council buildings.
Revenue budgets for the year are:
- Waste Management: £8.91 million
- Building Cleaning and Catering: £8.71 million
- Open Spaces: £1.94 million
Capital funding will be used to maintain and improve essential infrastructure across the service:
Waste and Recycling – £109,000
- Provision of domestic and commercial wheeled bins
- Potential purchase of skips for recycling centres if needed
- Support for the statutory requirement to provide safe, accessible waste disposal facilities
Open Spaces and Cemeteries – £371,000
Investment will focus on:
- Beginning preparatory work for new cemetery provision in Lossiemouth and Broomhill, Keith
- Addressing urgent infrastructure issues in existing cemeteries
- Essential repairs in parks and open spaces
- Replacing unsafe or failing equipment in children's play parks
Facilities Management – £15,000
- Replacement of essential tools and equipment for janitorial, cleaning and caretaker teams.
Cllr Marc Macrae, Chair of the Economic Development and Infrastructure Services Committee, said: “These services are among the most visible and valued in our communities. From waste collections to safe cemeteries, school meals and well maintained public spaces, they touch the lives of residents every day.
“This budget focuses on the essentials of keeping people safe, maintaining the assets we already have and planning responsibly for the future. While funding remains tight, we are committed to delivering the best service we can and making sure our communities continue to be well served.”