ScottishNews.com

Funding for the city’s Christmas lights and even the City Square Christmas tree could be cut as well as a reduction in the frequency of some bin collections to help balance the books. 

The local authority is facing a £12.7m budget deficit for 2027-28.

Citizens of Dundee could be given the chance to share their views before the council sets its budget next year.

A report to go to the Council’s City Governance Committee on Monday, 16th November recommends carrying out a public consultation which includes seeking feedback on a range of potential savings options to help set a balanced budget.

If approved, the consultation could start later this month and run for four weeks.

The council could look to reduce waste and recycling service provision, and the frequency of bin collections from 1st October next year, potentially saving the local authority £67,000 in 2027-28 and a further £133,000 in 2028-29.

Funding for Christmas lights could be cut by £110,000 as well as cuts to events in the city centre and no longer providing the City Square Christmas tree is another proposal which could save £145,000 per year.

Council leader Cllr Mark Flynn said the financial outlook for the Council makes the decisions they take to set a budget for the year ahead “increasingly difficult”, pointing out that the local authority has a legal responsibility to set a balanced budget every year.

He said: “While £186m of savings and efficiencies have been made by the Council since 2008, we calculate that we may need to make further savings next year. Demand for many services is increasing and, as with households, the Council’s bills for essentials like utilities and services have continued to rise.

“Despite these challenges, we will always look to protect the city’s most vulnerable residents and the Council’s frontline services. The reality we face is that very difficult decisions must be taken and these will impact on the lives of residents.”

Elected members previously considered the Council’s budget strategy and financial outlook which identified an estimated funding deficit of £12.7m for next year. It is noted this deficit may increase if the Council is unable to reduce the level of overspend in the current financial year on a recurring basis or further cost pressures emerge before next year.

Any final gap will require to be made up from efficiencies, additional income including government grants or an increase in local Council tax. The estimated gap is before any agreed increase in Council tax, where for each 1% added to the current charge, the Council would expect to generate additional income of over £700,000 each year.

In the event that the deficit cannot be fully met by those items, the Council may also consider removing or reducing certain services and details of options to do so are included in the consultation survey.

Councillor Flynn continued: “It is important that people have an opportunity to have their say on the savings options and by taking part in the budget consultation they can do that. Through the survey, people can also give their thoughts on Council tax levels for next year.

“It should be made clear that none of the savings proposals have been decided, they are simply options put forward by officers.

“Before they are considered by elected members, we need the views of people to understand how any changes would impact on them.

“That includes specific consideration of the effect any changes would have on the most vulnerable and people who have protected characteristics.

“The more citizens and organisations who take part, by giving detailed feedback, the more informed our decisions in the budget-setting process will be.”

The full Committee report and list of savings options, which have been put forward by Council officers, can be read on the Dundee City Council website.

People can respond online or through paper forms available in libraries and community centres.

Participants will be able to give their feedback on how any possible changes would impact on them, which will be considered before final budget decisions are made.