Service restructure could help rebalance budget

A report revealed that the council is facing a budget gap of over £8million in the 2024/25 financial year, with a 10 per cent council tax rise among the potential measures to reduce it.

However, Councillor Tommy Macpherson (Independent, South Kintyre) questioned whether a reduction or merger of services had been considered.

The council’s chief executive ruled out changes at management level, but an executive director referred to a review of roads and infrastructure services which is currently under way.

The discussion took place at a full council meeting, the last before summer recess, on Thursday June 27.

Councillor Macpherson asked: “We recently held a seminar where there was rationalisation and amalgamation of departments. What consideration has there been for this? You may have duplication and redundant roles within the council.”

Chief executive Pippa Milne responded: “We have previously taken significant savings out of our managerial structure in the council. I think the most recent one was several years ago and was about £500,000.

“My view is that we are now at a very lean senior management structure compared with other local authorities across Scotland. We are not prepared to undertake further redesign, as I do not believe there is any duplication or redundancy, as senior management have looked at.”

Executive director Kirsty Flanagan added: “We are on the first stage of a review into roads and infrastructure. They have identified some duplications within the service, and the review will now go to stages two to four.

“I am not suggesting that is replicated across the organisation, but it is something we are looking at.”

Councillor Macpherson is standing as an independent candidate in Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber in the UK general election on Thursday July 4.

The other candidates are Amanda Hampsey (Conservative), Melanie Hurst (Reform), Hamish Maxwell (Labour), Brendan O’Hara (SNP) and Alan Reid (Liberal Democrat).