Council faces new round of cuts

The council is already trying to make savings of almost �50m

Aberdeen City Council is facing major new cuts to follow �50m of savings already being sought.

The local authority faces having to slash its spending next year by about 5%. It has been claimed that this could amount to another �20m of cuts.

A draft document seen by BBC Scotland describes the task of setting next year's budget as "daunting".

Council leader Kate Dean said cuts had to be made but it was too early to say what the effects on services would be.

She told BBC Scotland that officers were trying to work out where savings could best come from, and that no decisions had been taken.

The council leader said it would be wrong to say it would devastate services until the possible effects were known.

'Not possible'

A spokesman for Aberdeen City Council later said that the authority could not put a monetary figure on what 5% savings on next year's budget would mean.

He added: "It would not be possible do determine a figure until such time as all the proposals have been considered."

The document reveals "early talks" will be held with organisations which receive council funding to make them aware of the level of savings needed.

North East Labour MSP Richard Baker said it could be "disastrous".

He said an extra 5% cut could translate into �20m.

Mr Baker said schools had been among the services already hit and warned: "It's hard to see what else could go. This would be more than the community could bear."

A disabled group which has already lost its council funding also said such cuts would badly damage the city.

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