Forres area residents are being given the opportunity to have their views considered on proposed budget cuts by Moray Council, including the possible closure of Falconer Museum, at a series of upcoming drop-in sessions this month.
These are being held locally in Forres Library as well as libraries throughout Moray, from 15 – 25 October, as follows:
- Aberlour library – Monday 15 October 10am–7pm
- Forres library – Tuesday 16 October 10am–7pm
- Buckie library – Wednesday 17 October 10am–7pm
- Fochabers library – Monday 22 October 10am–7pm
- Elgin library – Tuesday 23 October 10am–7pm
- Lossiemouth library – Wednesday 24 October 10am–7pm
- Keith library – Thursday 25 October 10am–7pm
Moray Council staff will be on hand to hear your thoughts on the proposals and listen to any ideas from residents and community groups on how services could be delivered differently while still saving the authority money. All suggestions and comments will be fed back to councillors before the final budget is agreed.
Budget cut proposals to be discussed include:
- Reducing opening hours for out-of-Elgin access points
- Reducing grounds maintenance for older cemeteries
- Reducing grass-cutting on rural pathways including the Speyside Way
- Reducing grass-cutting, litter collection & shrub bed maintenance in public parks
- Reducing library opening hours
- Closing Elgin Community Centre, Cooper Park Bowling Pavilion and Falconer Museum
Public engagement
Engagement will look at ways the impact of these cuts could be minimised, including preferred opening hours; can some services be delivered by the community and could any of the buildings be transferred to the community?
It comes after councillors last month gave the go-ahead to progress with more than £5 million of savings in the next financial year, in a bid to balance its 2019/20 budget.
See also
Press and Journal: Call for local people to be given chance to vote on important Moray Council budget issues
