Moray could face 5% Council Tax rise
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COUNCIL officers have recommended a five per cent Council Tax rise in Moray.
Documents released before next Wednesday's (March 1) full Council meeting list officers' recommendations for handling Council cash.
The report, authored by chief financial officer Lorraine Paisey, says Moray Council is up against an "environment of considerable uncertainty" and "inflation at a level unseen for many years".
It goes on to say that, without more Scottish Government funding, the future "appears bleak".
As well as increasing Council Tax payments, the report suggests several ways to help plug a £21.5 million budget shortfall.
Already, £2.3 million of savings have been agreed, and a range of other cuts proposed in the report bring the gap down to £14,767,000.
The report suggests filling this gap with cash from a £19 million Covid fund.
The Conservative administration is yet to announce their official budget and opposition groups are expected to propose amendments.
In total, the report says that £58 million of savings have been made since 2010/11 and further cuts will be hard to find without reducing services.
The report says it is: "increasingly difficult to identify areas where further savings can be made whilst delivering the statutory duties of a local authority."
Moray Council's total expenditure for the coming year is expected to top £260 million.
A huge savings push is also expected for the 2024/25 budget, with a projected £18,741,000 needing cut.
