Councillors on the Western Isles rubber-stamped their “most difficult” budget yesterday as they slashed spending on services by a further £1.4million.
The local authority voted to close a children’s care home, axe spending on road repairs and increase car parking charges.
Some £350,000 will be saved by moving all children at the Hillcrest care home in Stornoway into foster care.
It could lead to the loss of 28 jobs at the Action for Children-operated facility, while the knock-on impact at its associated support service could make a similar amount of posts vulnerable.
Councillors agreed not to make the change until they are satisfied by the transitional arrangements, however.
Meanwhile, there was a move to abolish the use of all specialist travelling teachers for gym, music and art classes in primary schools to save £465,000 over two years, although in practice some pupils may not see immediate changes as the affected employees are to be hired under a different budget.
Opposition to a proposed £231,000 cut from road repairs and tarring led to the council partially backing down and only agreeing to make half the saving.
Reprieves were granted to closure-threatened Stornoway bus station, and public toilets.
Council leader Angus Campbell said: “This year’s budget has been the most difficult I have been involved with and comes after six consecutive years of budget reductions that have seen the council’s cash budget fall by some £15million – over 20% in real terms.”
The authority has previously calculated that the savings measures could lead to the loss of more than 80 job losses.
Stornoway Abattoir will not close but charges will be increased, and the coffee shop in Stornoway Library will also be offered as a franchise.
The potential for further savings by switching off all streetlights between May and October will be explored.
Membership fees for the council’s sports centres discount scheme will increase, and the grounds maintenance contract will be reduced.
A shared headship will be implemented for Lionel school and Sgoil an Taobh Siar.
Motorists face higher car parking charges plus a reduced number of free spaces in Stornoway town centre to save around £30,000.
The council may introduce charges for the car park used by council staff and sports centre customers behind the council’s HQ in Stornoway.