City considers closing all parks and galleries

RADICAL proposals which would include closing every public park, art gallery and museum, and shutting seven primary and secondary schools, have been put forward as part of a series of potential options to save more than £127 million over the next five years at one of Scotland's city councils.

The 750 potential budget savings options, due to be debated by Aberdeen City councillors next month, also include controversial plans to scrap free personal care for the elderly, ending nursery education for the under-fours and delaying financial backing for Aberdeen's bypass.

The document even suggests the possibility of turning the delivery of council services into an "EasyJet" model where there would be a differential pricing policy for providing various services.

A number of the options have already been labelled as "undesirable" by senior council officers, who also acknowledge that some of the proposed savings would require changes in national policy.

But yesterday opposition councillors accused the Liberal Democrat and SNP joint administration, which ordered the spending review, of playing "fantasy football" with the council's services. Councillor Barney Crockett, the leader of the Labour group, declared: "These proposals risk causing alarm in our communities and despondency amongst the staff. I don't think the people of Aberdeen trust the administration to make sense of those proposals and to act in a reasonable way at all. Communities will panic when they see them."

Under the proposals, 37 per cent of the savings - 47 million - would be achieved in the education, culture and sport directorate. The options include closing two secondary and five primary schools, cutting the number of pupil support assistants by 50 per cent and downgrading the level of qualifications for teaching posts.

The "undesirable" cuts include closing every art gallery and museum in the city, and closing all 16 libraries and all public toilets.

The next biggest hit would be suffered by the social care and well-being directorate, where 24 million in potential savings have been identified.

The proposals include the transfer of two care homes for the elderly to an external provider and outsourcing home care services.

Senior officials warn in the executive summary of the 53-page report: "A total of 127 million of potential savings have been identified of which 48 million have been highlighted as having a high implementation risk."

Aberdeen City Council is the first local authority in Scotland to produce a five-year business plan. Sue Bruce, the chief executive, said: "We are being open and honest with the people of Aberdeen as we plan to change the way services are delivered in the future."

The public is being asked to comment online. The various options, and any amendments, will go forward to a meeting of the finance and resources committee on 2 December and to a full council meeting on 15 December.