This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7785595.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Councillors pass £24m budget cuts | Councillors pass £24m budget cuts |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| Aberdeen councillors have approved plans to cut £24.5m off the authority's budget next year. | |
| The decision will see social services lose £8.6m, a £1.2m cut in the housing budget and £5.9m less for education. | The decision will see social services lose £8.6m, a £1.2m cut in the housing budget and £5.9m less for education. |
| In total about 400 jobs will go - including more than 200 classroom assistant posts. | In total about 400 jobs will go - including more than 200 classroom assistant posts. |
| The Scottish Government confirmed the council is to be allowed to borrow £11.7m to fund redundancy pay for the staff it is looking to cut. | |
| The latest cuts come after £35m in savings already agreed by the Liberal Democrat-SNP led administration earlier this year. | |
| The package of cuts was passed by 20 votes to five. | The package of cuts was passed by 20 votes to five. |
| As we have consistently made clear, it is up to all involved now to come together and ensure the people of Aberdeen get the high quality services they deserve John SwinneyFinance secretary | |
| Deputy leader Kevin Stewart welcomed the move by the Scottish Government to allow it to borrow, but admitted the authority may have to ask for more in the future. | |
| Describing the budget as "tough", he said: "It is something we need to do to ensure this city is back on a firm financial footing. | |
| "There is a possibility we may have to go back, I hope that is not the case, but never say never." | |
| No schools, libraries, museums or pools are to close as a result of the budget package. | No schools, libraries, museums or pools are to close as a result of the budget package. |
| The opposition Labour group did not put forward an alternative budget, but instead called for an all-party delegation to meet with Finance Secretary John Swinney to ask for an emergency 5% increase in funding for the city. | |
| Cllr Len Ironside, the Labour group leader, also backed calls for a petition to demand a fairer share of cash in the future. | |
| He said: "I think it's time we stood up to them and said we need this money." | |
| 'Positive news' | 'Positive news' |
| He added: "We recognise there still has to be cuts." | |
| Mr Swinney said: "It is for the council to manage its ongoing budget process and ensure they balance their books. | |
| "Obviously, due to problems that have built up over a long period of time, the council faces a number of challenges. | "Obviously, due to problems that have built up over a long period of time, the council faces a number of challenges. |
| "As we have consistently made clear, it is up to all involved now to come together and ensure the people of Aberdeen get the high quality services they deserve." | "As we have consistently made clear, it is up to all involved now to come together and ensure the people of Aberdeen get the high quality services they deserve." |
| He said the Scottish Government had taken the "exceptional steps" of working with HM Treasury to allow the council to borrow a limited amount to meet certain revenue costs. | |
| Mr Swinney said: "As a result, we have informed the council today that ministers intend to give initial consent to the council to borrow £11.7m. | |
| "This means the council will be able to spread these costs over a number of years. This is obviously positive news for the city." | "This means the council will be able to spread these costs over a number of years. This is obviously positive news for the city." |