Resident's views sought on forthcoming budget during drop-in sessions
RESIDENTS in Moray can have their say on proposed budget cuts at a series of upcoming drop-in sessions.
These are being held in libraries in Aberlour, Forres, Buckie, Fochabers, Elgin, Lossiemouth and Keith, from 15 – 25 October, as follows:
Aberlour library Monday 15 October 10am – 7pm
Forres library Tuesday 16 October 10am – 7pm
Buckie library Wednesday 17 October 10am – 7pm
Fochabers library Monday 22 October 10am – 7pm
Elgin library Tuesday 23 October 10am – 7pm
Lossiemouth library Wednesday 24 October 10am – 7pm
Keith library Thursday 25 October 10am – 7pm
Moray Council staff will be on hand to hear your thoughts on the proposals and listen to any ideas from residents and community groups on how services could be delivered differently while still saving the authority money. All suggestions and comments will be fed back to councillors before the final budget is agreed.
Budget cut proposals to be discussed include:
- Reducing opening hours for out-of-Elgin access points
- Reducing grounds maintenance for older cemeteries
- Reducing grass-cutting on rural pathways including the Speyside Way
- Reducing grass-cutting, litter collection & shrub bed maintenance in public parks
- Reducing library opening hours
- Closing Elgin Community Centre, Cooper Park Bowling Pavilion and Falconer Museum
Engagement will look at ways the impact of these cuts could be minimised, including preferred opening hours; can some services be delivered by the community and could any of the buildings be transferred to the community?
It comes after councillors last month gave the go-ahead to progress with more than £5million of savings in the next financial year, in a bid to balance its 2019/20 budget.
More information on the proposals can be found online here
Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live. Nestling between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands, Moray stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Brodie Castle in the west.