Highland Lib Dems honest about realities of recession budgets - Alston

10.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 1st Jul 2009

The Highland Lib Dem group on the Highland Council responded to the SNP's comments on the budget forecast.

Lib Dem councillor and budget leader David Alston said:

"The Lib Dem led administration has promised to be open and honest about the financial difficulties facing services in the Highland Council. If there is to be a cut we will call it a cut and if it is a saving we will call it a saving.

"The figure of a £60 million shortfall in cash terms is not scaremongering but the harsh reality of the recession and the financial storm resulting from the bailing out of the banks. It means hard decisions as we must reassess our priorities but we aim above all to keep people informed.

"We believe it is better to let people know now what the realities will mean for them rather than muddy the waters with false promises and unachievable spin.

"This administration has already made £10million of savings for the next financial year and has put a lot of preparation into weathering the storm of the current economic crisis. The recession is not about party politics but making the best use of what we have and working positively with all levels of government, whatever their political persuasion, to that end."

ENDS