** ALEXANDRIA COMMUNITY COUNCIL LETTER OF RESPONSE AND CONCERN RELATING TO WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL BUDGET 2024/25 **
(Correspondence sent to all Councillors in the Leven and Lomond Ward)
Dear Leader of the Council,
Alexandria Community Council discussed the budget savings proposal at our meeting on Wednesday 28th February 2024. This follows recent correspondence from WDC to all Community Groups highlighting two possible options – the removal of the Care of Garden scheme and the Elderly Welfare Grant.
Further options were detailed in papers released on Thursday 22nd February 2024. This includes reduction or ceasing of the Citizens Advice Bureau, Working4U, street cleaning in estates, gritting of footpaths, Community Budgeting Fund, introduction of charge of green waste collection, veteran bowling clubs etc. This list is not exhaustive.
Alexandria CC are aware that WDC is under considerable financial strain and have a £17m gap to cover. However, we cannot ignore that many of these proposals will hit the most vulnerable in our society as well as local employment.
At this moment in time, it is sad to highlight that the relationship between many Alexandria residents and WDC administration is broken. Many residents do not see a “budget saving” but more of a “service cut.” There is also a general feeling of callousness and lack of resistance. This may come across as harsh, but Alexandria CC feel it is necessary to be forthright and honest. This feeling comes from an extensive line of “budget savings” in recent years.
Alexandria CC would be grateful if this correspondence is taken into consideration when the WDC Budget 2024/25 is discussed at the Council meeting on Wednesday 6th March 2024.
Alexandria has suffered enough.
Regards,
Harry McCormack
Secretary
Alexandria Community Council
(date of letter – Thursday 29th February 2024)
