The management of waste generated within Argyll and Bute necessitates a revenue budget of £19 million for the 2026/27 period. This is further supported by £3 million in capital investment and £1.5 million from the Scottish Government, aimed at complying with new environmental regulations, including the prohibition of landfilling general household waste.
Services for public and school transport are estimated to cost around £12 million. This figure includes approximately £9 million allocated to external operators responsible for running 70 public bus routes throughout the region. These services ensure that around 3,500 pupils can travel safely to 78 schools daily.
The committee will also be informed that, despite public toilets not being a statutory obligation for the council, 57 facilities are currently maintained across Argyll and Bute, incurring an annual operational cost of approximately half a million pounds.
Progress on regeneration and economic development projects, valued at over £100 million and funded externally, will also be reviewed. These significant programmes, such as the Rural Growth Deal and Community Regeneration Partnership funding, are instrumental in supporting housing, business expansion, infrastructure development, and community amenities.
“"The committee’s agenda shows the scale and importance of the services the council delivers every day, from waste and transport to infrastructure and regeneration. These services are vital to our communities, but rising costs and ongoing budget pressures mean they are increasingly challenging to provide."
“"Everyone can help reduce pressure on services. For example, processing a tonne of black bag waste costs more than £100 extra compared with processing a tonne of recycling, so please recycle as much as possible using the service available. Thank you for what you already do — and remember, additional blue recycling bins are free."
Committee papers detailing these matters are accessible on the Council website.
