New multi-million pound schools could be built in two of Aberdeen’s most deprived areas after the Labour-led council alliance passed their budget last night.
Funding for a £20milllion primary in Torry and a £17million primary in Tillydrone has now been approved as part of a £130million education package.
The two schools will also contain “community hubs”.
Other new investments approved yesterday included a £20million commitment to build more affordable and council houses, £83,000 to improve bus services to the isolated Craigiebuckler and Lower Deeside communities and £28,000 for a new violence against women coordinator.
As was previously pledged by council leader Jenny Laing, none of the council’s 8,500 staff will be sacked.
But the axe was wielded by the rainbow coalition of Labour, Tory and Independent, with £405,000 cut from Sport
Aberdeen, £280,000 from school supplies budgets and a £70,000 cut to economic recovery body Opportunity North East, headed by Sir Ian Wood.
Controversial parking charges mooted by council officers will only partly be implemented, with free car parks at Crombie Road, Torry, Dunmail Avenue, Cults and Station Road, Bucksburn soon to charge £1 for a two-hour stay.
A plan to educate children with additional support needs at local, rather than specialised schools, will also now be implemented – saving around £20,000 in transport costs.
Council officers had previously identified £20million programme of efficiency savings including a reduction in energy consumption and staffing costs.
Introducing the budget yesterday, Ms Laing said: “Our revenue funding has been cut by more than £10million, while we must contend with additional cost pressures of £16million that means we must find total savings of £26million.
“With that in mind, it gives me great pleasure today to deliver a balanced budget to the chamber which protects frontlines services, jobs and will also drive inward investment into the city.”