At today’s Argyll and Bute Council budget meeting, the official opposition group - comprising
Scottish Conservatives and Bute Independent councillors - put forward a fully balanced
budget, headlined by a modest 5% council tax increase, one of the smallest proposed
increases in Scotland.

The opposition budget prioritised key local services, including a £10 million investment in
roads and footpaths, alongside a £500,000 package to support communities. This included
funding for welfare advice services, Women’s Aid, play parks, and the restoration of the
Inveraray War Memorial.

Additionally, Live Argyll, the organisation managing the region’s leisure centres, swimming
pools, halls, and libraries, was protected from a £311,000 (10%) funding cut in the
opposition’s budget proposal.

Opposition Leader, Cllr Gary Mulvaney, said:
“With taxpayers frustrated by rising bills and declining services, we believe it’s time to say
enough is enough. Despite financial challenges, we have delivered a balanced budget that
invests in our communities, prioritises infrastructure like roads, footpaths, and streetlights,
and keeps council tax increases to a minimum.”

However, the Conservative budget was rejected, as the ruling coalition of SNP, Labour, Lib
Dem, and Green councillors instead voted in favour of a 9.9% council tax increase.