Site icon THE DEMOCRAT

Argyll and Bute communities’ views will help set budget priorities

heaneymedia

Free pictures on behalf of West Dunbartonshire council. 2019 Loch Lomond Highland games at the Moss O' Balloch. A record number of visitors turned out to watch the popular annual Loch Lomond Highland Games at Balloch today. More than 9,000 visitors attended the event, in Moss O’Balloch Park, for a range of traditional highland game competitions including cycling, running, hammer throwing and heavy weights and the traditional tossing of the caber and tug-of-war. Dancers entertained the crowds by performing traditional highland dances with their immaculate costumes and perfect hair, and spectators enjoyed music from Helensburgh Clan Colquhoun and Tulliallan pipes and drums. The popular games welcomed visitors from as far afield as Germany and Canada who travelled to Scotland to enjoy the traditional Scottish games and was broadcasted to millions of viewers in China watching Chinese travel programme ‘Zhu’s life in Britain’. Aynsley Gouck, Assistant Director of Niagra Highland Dance Academy, said “We are over from Ontario Canada and we are attending four Highland Games during our visit. We love Balloch it’s a beautiful area of Scotland and we’ve been looking forward to our visit. The Highland Dancing competition is very well organised and the girls are very honoured to be dancing in Scotland.” German friends Tina and Arthur Helbig and Kirsten and Volber Rademacher, said: “We are in Scotland for 10 days and although we’re not staying in Balloch we couldn’t miss this event. It’s a great to see all the smart girls in their beautiful Highland dress and hear the pipe band. We are very excited to be here today.” West Dunbartonshire Council leader Jonathan McColl, said: "This year’s event was a fantastic day and helped by the wonderful weather. Well done to all the competitors for putting on a great show and thanks to the spectators for encouraging the athletes and putting on a great show. It’s always lovely to meet visitors who have travelled around the world to attend this great event. I am proud of our Scottish heritage and the Games are a great way for tourists and visitors to get a true taste of Scotland. Well done to the Games’ committee, West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust and West Dunbartonshire Council on organising yet another hugely successful event.” The Chieftain of the Loch Lomond Highland Games, Major James Macrae said: "I am delighted with this year’s event which has been a great success and has been very well attended. We’ve been really fortunate with the weather the last two years and we are grateful to the thousands who came along, which is great testament to everyone involved in organising the Games. Over the years, the games have attracted contestants and spectators from home and abroad every year and I would like to thank everyone who played their part in making this year’s games a huge success. On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank our contestants and sponsors, in particular West Dunbartonshire Council and West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust, for their continued support." For a full round up of results please visit Loch Lomond High Games website at www.llhgb.com Copyright photo by Paul Chappells, 07774730898 www.paulphoto.co.uk

Currie Robin Currie.jpg 2

Council Leader, Councillor Robin Currie and Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Policy Lead for Finance Services, in Argyll and Bute Council. Pictures by Bill Heaney

By Aileen Maclennan

With more multi-million pound savings to make again this year, Argyll and Bute Council is inviting communities to get involved earlier than usual in the budget-setting process by using a budget simulator to set high level priorities.

The council’s funding gap next year is estimated to be more than £10 million. Savings can only come from controllable parts of the council’s budget. Some areas of spend are protected by national priorities, such as teacher numbers, or are outwith the council’s control, for example inflationary costs.

The simulator will list services where savings can come from, and give options to reduce or increase spend by different amounts until the target of £10 million is reached. There will also be options to increase income to fund services, including through council tax or fees, and information explaining the impact on services of the choices respondents are making.

Councillor Gary Mulvaney, Policy Lead for Finance Services said: “If we increase or even maintain spend on one service, we have to reduce spend on another. It’s as simple, and as difficult, as that.  All our services matter. There are no easy choices. Cuts to council budgets mean cuts to council services unfortunately.”

A report to today’s Policy and Resources Committee outlines that Argyll and Bute is facing an estimated gap in funding for its council services of more than £40 million over the next five years, with a gap of over £10 million in 2024-25 alone.

As well as running the simulator, the council will also set up a cross party Budget Working Group bringing together administration and opposition councillors, and trade union representatives to support the budget setting process.

Council Leader, Councillor Robin Currie, said:  “We will continue to campaign with national partners through CoSLA for more funding for vital council services, but have to start now preparing to meet, again, the challenge of delivering multi million pound savings. It’s important that we all work together to achieve the best outcomes for Argyll and Bute. The Budget Working Group brings councillors together and the simulator will bring communities’ views into the budget setting process earlier than usual.  I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”  The simulator will be available from 19 June on the council’s website – www.argyll-bute.gov.uk.

Funding lifeline for Argyll and Bute events

Large-scale events and festivals across Argyll and Bute contribute significantly to the local economy, attracting people to the area and supporting local businesses.

Argyll and Bute Council continues to show its support to the sector with the latest round of the Strategic Events and Festivals Fund. The council has announced that an additional ten events will receive £48,000. This follows on from eleven events receiving over £82,000 in February.

Since the Fund launched six years ago, the council has awarded over £540,000 to event and festival organisers.

The aim of the funding is to help events grow and attract more visitors to the area, providing substantial economic benefits to Argyll and Bute. In addition, it provides critical support in the economic recovery of the area following the pandemic and ongoing cost of living challenges.

Events for the latest round of funding include:

  • ButeFest
  • Doon the Watter (Dunoon)
  • Helensburgh Winter Festival
  • Islay Book Festival
  • Oban Games
  • Oban Winter Festival
  • Tarbert Music Festival
  • Tarbert Seafood Festival
  • Tiree Music Festival
  • Mull Rally

Councillor Robin Currie, Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, said: “There is no doubt that major events and festivals provide a much needed economic boost to Argyll and Bute’s tourism and hospitality sectors. They play a key part in the area’s ongoing economic recovery.

By supporting major events, we can attract national and international visitors to the area who generate significant economic benefits for local communities. We can also make sure much-loved events continue to take place.”

Exit mobile version