£605 million budget approved for West Lothian's services West Lothian Council has agreed its revenue budget for this year (2025/26) which will see almost £605 million spent on delivering day-to-day local services which is a record level of investment in local services. Key points: • Over 90% of this budget will be spent on Education, Social Care and Operational Services (roads, waste, open spaces, parks, litter collection etc). This is a record level of investment in local services • Due to insufficient funding from the Scottish Government the council has a budget gap of £34.9 million over the next three years, nearly £12 million of savings are required this year alone - as the council must legally agree balanced budget • Legally, the amount of funding the council spends needs to be equal to the funding we receive. What we spend needs to match our income. This is what is meant by balancing our budget • By 2028 the council will have had to make budget savings of over £207 million (between April 2007 - March 2028) A revenue budget pays for the running of day-to-day services. The council must set a balanced budget. Legally, the amount of funding the council spends needs to be equal to the funding we receive. This is what is meant by balancing our budget. It is partly funded by Council Tax – which is to increase by 8.95% Changes to services The majority of savings measures were agreed two years ago and are implemented over a five-year period. However, more measures have had to be agreed in order to allow the Council to balance its budget - something we are legally required to do. All councils have a legal requirement to agree a balanced budget each year so if the funding provided is less than the cost of providing services overall, the council must reduce spending to balance its budget. A wide range of budget savings have already been agreed at last year's budget setting meeting and will be implemented further from April 2025. Examples include: • Internal savings through reviewing admin support and streamlining processes to reduce costs • Internal management restructures • Reduction in staff numbers in some areas, no-filling of vacancies and management restructures • Review of existing contracts for commissioned services to achieve cost savings • Intensive fostering campaign and development of a WL adoption services • Significant savings across Education which includes revised scheme of devolved school management Over £2.1 million of additional savings are proposed to help meet the increased funding gap have been approved for next year (2025/2026) These include: • Internal efficiency savings in staffing, property, supplies and services and transport budgets. • Reduction in council tax empty property discounts in line with parameters set out in regulations • Review of empty property relief and exemptions for Non-Domestic Rates • Increased income from rent of council properties