
Aberdeen residents are facing a 4.5% council tax rise.
The budget put forward by the council’s ruling Labour, Conservative and Independent administration proposes a 4.5% council tax rise.
This is less than the 4.79% available under powers from the Scottish Government.
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019
ACC co-leader Douglas Lumsden moves the budget of ruling administration. Says it is a budget of "resilience, pragmatism and determination".
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019
Aberdeen City Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden also confirmed today they they will protect the number of school crossing patrollers and community wardens.
Lumsden: Says Scottish Gov't budget is one that "bites the hand that feeds it" #accbudget
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019
They have also announced they will keep all 17 of the city’s libraries open and will not close public toilets.
Lumsden: Says Scottish Gov't budget is one that "bites the hand that feeds it" #accbudget
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019
Other announcements include the protection of funding for the Granite North and True North festivals.
Parking charges in the city will rise and a £30 charge will be introduced for the collection of brown bins, under the proposed budget.
Lumsden: Proposes increasing parking charges and an annual £30 a year charge for the collection of brown bins #accbudget
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019
Proposals to cut Sport Aberdeen’s budget by £2 million in today’s budget have been thrown out by the ruling administration.
Aberdeen City Council co-leader Douglas Lumsden today confirmed they have rejected the proposals, which would “undoubtedly” have led to the “closure of vital facilities”.
The arms-length organisation, which runs sports facilities across the city, will however face a 10% cut to its funding.
Mr Lumsden: “I believe sport facilities should be accessible by all and not restricted to those who can afford private memberships.”
Flynn: Says the council is facing debt repayments of £9.3m this year alone. Points to projects including Lochside Academy, the Art Gallery and Union Terrace Gardens as some of those over budget.
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019
SNP leader Stephen Flynn says he will take "no lessons" from colleagues whose parties proposed "no alternatives" to Derek Mackay's budget at Holyrood #ACCBudget
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019
SNP alternative budget proposals: Protection of school crossing patrollers and community wardens. Also protects funding for community projects including Fersands. Proposes retaining primary 1 cap.
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019
SNP budget proposes a council tax rise of 3%. The administration has put forward a 4.5% increase. Group leader @Stephen_SNP says that makes the Conservative party in Aberdeen "the party of taxation" #accbudget
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019
The ruling administration's budget has been passed 23 votes to 19 with three abstentions #ACCBudget
— Adele Merson (@EEadele) March 5, 2019