The Vice-Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Cllr Angus Campbell, has confirmed that, as part of the budget setting process, there will be an assumption of Council Tax being frozen. The Vice-Convener has also confirmed that the Comhairle is committed to funding the money required for the free school meals programme brought forward by the Scottish Government. 

Cllr Campbell said:  “As part of the budget setting process there will be an assumption of Council Tax being frozen for the year 2009/10. Also the Comhairle is committed to funding the money required for the free school meals programme brought forward by the Scottish Government. This was part of the concordat as agreed between Local Government and the Scottish Government last year on condition the pilot scheme was successful. This has now happened and we will fulfil our responsibility to find that money within the budget setting process. Indeed we did identify the need to do that if the pilot was successful and the reports that came in front of Council last year referred to the added potential pressure.

Both of these measures will put further pressure on our Revenue Budgets. We will be working with COSLA to seek extra funds from the Scottish Government to meet the rising costs and inflationary increases that have occurred since the concordat was signed.”

Nigel Scott
Communications Officer
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk