Council chief confident of covering £600k budget shortfall
HIGHLAND Council’s financial woes have been exacerbated by an emerging £600,000 overspend.
The problem was caused by delays in introducing new car park charges, overestimating income from established car parks in Lochaber and a delay in the controversial hiving out of public toilets to local communities.
Community services director William Gilfillan is, however, confident of balancing the books by the end of the year.
"As a service, we have quite a correction to do here in terms of the potential overspend marked within the budget," he said. "My confidence, however, in terms of being able to deliver the whole saving depends on what we do after October. I’m hopeful we can actually deliver."
Updating members about the car park charging roll out, he said extensive discussions were being held with residents in Ullapool and that newly installed parking meters in Fortrose were already collecting income.
Talks in Nairn were delayed by the town’s voting process to decide on a business improvement district, which has now been backed by traders.
Mr Gilfillan said a plan of corrective action had been enacted to address a total projected £611,000 community services department overspend. He emphasised its importance because this department bears the burden of frequent high winter costs.
