Scottish Borders Council budget 'gap' measures agreed

Scottish Borders Council says it needs to plug a £27m budget gap in the years to come

Scottish Borders Council has agreed moves to get a "good head start" in tackling a projected budget gap of £27m over the next five years.

An end to the community warden service and the centralisation of services for young people with emotional and behavioural needs were among the plans.

A report to councillors outlined the scale of the challenge ahead.

They were told that agreeing to certain steps could help address a £3.8m gap identified for 2013/14.

The full set of proposals is outlined on the council's website.

Council leader David Parker said the authority was "absolutely committed" to ensuring a high level of services in spite of the "ongoing funding pressures".

"Due to the scale of the financial challenge facing the council next year and beyond means that we must continue to take a proactive approach to the delivery of efficiency savings to allow us to balance the budget and protect services in key priority areas," he said.

"This is why we have put forward a set of initial revenue budget proposals early to ensure the maximisation of full-year cost reductions in 2013/14.

"I am very pleased that we can also now plan longer-term with the adoption of the new five-year model.

"These are challenging financial times but we have always been able to deliver a budget that protects frontline services and allows us to invest in important services and we are committed to continue to do this."