Massive spending cuts are expected to be approved by Aberdeen City Council on Wednesday, as it bids to fill a £46.6million black hole in its accounts.
Numerous services provided directly by the local authority will be affected, as will organisations which rely on it for vital funding.
The local business community has already voiced concern about the negative impact of spending cuts on the north-east economy - particularly on the tourism front.
It has been calculated that Scotland's councils are facing a £700million funding gap in the coming financial year, having to cope with soaring costs and also limited budgets.
Aberdeen councillors will have a huge list of three pages of potential cuts in front of them at this week’s meeting.
If they opt to carry out every suggested saving. this could net £43.4million.
Smaller figure
But, with other funding streams taken into account, a smaller figure of £29million needs to be cut.
However, no one knows yet for certain where the axe will fall.
That will only become clear after Wednesday’s meeting, but there is no doubt that local people will quickly notice the severe impact.
Virtually every aspect of day-to-day life could be impacted – everything from school hours, to street sweeping, to school crossing patrols, to public toilets, to street lighting.
Councillors will also decide on a council tax rise of potentially 10% at the meeting.
The multitude of savings options include £160,000 from VisitAberdeenshire, the lead tourism agency for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and £67,000 from two posts at Aberdeen Inspired – the business-improvement district for Aberdeen.
Positive impact
Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the positive impact VisitAberdeenshire has had on tourism and the consequences of slashing funding to the agency.
He added: “Tourism is one of the five identified growth sectors in the regional economic strategy and diversification plan – yet it seems our local authorities are prepared to put at risk economic impact it has and the jobs it supports by pulling back on providing the necessary investment for it and we ask them to reconsider the proposed cuts”.
Chris Foy, Chief Executive at VisitAberdeenshire, warned that, if the council’s proposed reduction is ratified, the agency will significantly scale back its promotion of Aberdeen city as a leisure and conference destination.
He went on: “This represents a lost opportunity at a time when tourism businesses are struggling to break even, and when the Aberdeen faces increasing competition from other cities. Returning to pre-pandemic tourism expenditure of over £505million per year will be a distant prospect.
“Quite simply, if prospective visitors don’t know about Aberdeen, they won’t come here to spend their money.
“For every domestic overnight visitor lost to Dundee, over £200 will not be spent in Aberdeen. For every international visitor lost to Edinburgh, over £700 will not be spent in Aberdeen. And for every international conference delegate lost to Glasgow, over £1,000 will not be spent in Aberdeen.
Retain funding
“While fully appreciating the pressures on Aberdeen City Council's budget, VisitAberdeenshire encourages council members to reverse this proposal and retain funding at the 2022/23 level.”
The Press & Journal summed up the dire situation which could face the city: “Litter bins could be left to overflow, toilets closed, libraries hammered and even Christmas lights could come at a price as Aberdeen City Council embarks on a major savings drive.”
Meanwhile, it has also emerged that Granite City pupils could be sent home from school early.
Teaching hours may be reduced from the statutory minimum of 25 hours per week to 22.5 hours.
The shock proposal could save nearly half-a-million pounds.
The music service is also in the firing line, in a move that could recoup £1.27million.
And a review of cleaning standards could save more than £600,000 across all schools.