Friday October 17th 2025
West Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
West Lothian residents have been warned the council are facing stark choices that could include school closures, cuts to the school week, ending subsidised bus services and the closure of public libraries and toilets.
The potential cuts have been outlined in a public consultation as the council looks prepare its budget for the next two years.
And it highlights the potential for cuts across the board in jobs and services, as well as increasing charges, as it asks for public help to identify where it can cut £23m from its spending in the next two years.
The underlying message is blunt: “ Doing nothing is not an option… there are no easy decisions.”
The document adds: “we will be guided by your views.”
The consultation published this afternoon (Thursday) asks residents, staff and partners to share their views on how the council should respond to the financial challenge.
Staffing cuts, recruitment freezes and service mergers could potentially save £940,000.
The document identifies the potential savings that can come from wider use of technology and AI and potential income generation from raising charges for services.
It also details savings options which address long term challenges facing the council, including how services will react to changing demographics- falling birth rates and an ageing population.
This could see school closures.
Ahead of that, among the biggest potential savings could be made in schools, with changes to the school day and the way children learn – teacher contact time with pupils.
Savings of more than £5m a year could be made but proposals will face stiff opposition from teaching unions.
Closing stand alone library buildings and other council buildings – and toilets – is also an option.
Most likely in the firing line is the extensive list of services the council provides for which it receives no government funding.
These non-statutory services provide the bulk of savings identified by officers.
Stand outs among the potential cutbacks include:
– £2.2m in subsidised bus services
– £1.5m in support for the voluntary sector and community regeneration
– £1m on school buses
– £1.1m on youth clubs and youth outreach support services
– £1.4m on Advice shop services
– £1.8m on Education, business development and support
The lengthy list of non-statutory services also has potential savings in grounds maintenance, salting paths in winter, school music lessons and funding Christmas lights.
Other services identified include broadcasting of council meetings and even funding for gala days.
Many have been introduced before only to be scrapped after public outcry.
The consultation says: “Out of the council’s total annual revenue budget of £545 million, £503 million is spent on statutory services, and the remaining £42 million is spent on non–statutory services.
“It is important to be aware that a number of these non–statutory services help to improve lives and are considered vital to many people.
“With this in mind, there may be options to reduce or change spending in non–statutory services.”
The consultation will run from today (Thursday) to Sunday 16 November.
Earlier this week Councillor Pauline Stafford, the depute leader of the council’s opposition SNP group voiced concerns about the consultation.
After the council’s Executive meeting on Tuesday she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “My concern was a general one regarding the time frame if the results are only reported through special PDSPs after the 13 January I don’t think that gives enough time for the responses to be properly taken into account for the budget setting meeting.”
Like all councils, West Lothian Council faces significant financial pressures.
Rising costs are combined with significant increases in demand for some services, including elderly care. Costs and demand for services are far outstripping funding, leaving the council having to find £23 million over the next two years.
Even with proposed additional income from Council Tax, the council would still face a significant budget shortfall.
This means substantial savings are still required to balance the books, on top of the £184 million in savings the council has made since 2007.
Legally, the council must balance its budget, so ways to save money must be found and agreed.
People can take part in the consultation on-line via the council’s website.
A paper copy of the survey is included within the council’s newspaper Bulletin – which is delivered to every home in West Lothian.
Paper copies can also be found within partnership centres and other council buildings. A FreePost address is included within the paper copy and will allow residents and groups to return their survey at no cost.
The council emphasised that no decisions have been made at this stage; the measures are only proposals.
Graham Hope, the council’s Chief Executive, said: “We want to work with our community, staff and partners to ensure that the council becomes more sustainable, addresses the funding challenges and meets the needs of our communities.
“The council has a limited number of options in terms of what choices can be made. Legally, the amount a council spends on services must be the same as the funding we receive – that is a statutory requirement and after years of insufficient levels of funding provided to councils, combined with a huge increase in demand for some services, there are no easy choices.
“It is vital that the local community, our staff and partners have the opportunity to consider the proposals set out by officers and are provided an opportunity to have their say. I would encourage residents to take the time to consider the information in the consultation and provide feedback.”
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