Cuts are looming in transport, education, social care, development and public services in the Western Isles.
Western Isles Council aims to cut jobs and services to make £2.5million of savings this year – just 12 months after implementing £2million of cuts.
An overall two-year £6million deficit has been reduced thanks to a final £1.1million compensation pay-out for losing £23million in the 1991 Bank of Credit and Commerce International crash.
Otherwise the cuts – to be discussed on Thursday – would be more severe. Other savings come from using £400,000 from reserves, a similar figure from staff cuts, £100,000 from increasing council tax on empty homes, and cash from the use of housing capital plus energy savings.
Pupils and schools will bear the brunt of the cuts with a drive to make nearly £1.3million of savings in education.
Some £59,000 will be cut from supplies like books, paper and pencils in schools.
Teachers and education staff are to be invited to apply for voluntary early retirement.
Budget proposals flags up the intention to axe itinerant teachers for gym, music and art for primary 1 to 3 pupils to save £200,000.
Community minibuses, daily litter picking in Stornoway town centre, grants for community bodies to look after public toilets will also be hit.
Councillor Roddie Mackay is furious over axeing all buses to Laxdale School even though there is no public transport.
The school week for island pupils may end on Friday lunchtime by shortening break times to save £120,000 by using the spare time for ongoing teacher training. However, co-ordinating schools buses needs to be sorted out.