Dear colleagues,

It has been another challenging year. It feels as if we stepped out of the pandemic straight into a cost of living crisis without being able to catch our breath.

I fully appreciate that this has put immense pressure on you personally and professionally, with rising costs affecting your home life and the Council service you work for.

Regardless of those pressures, you have continued to help deliver services that communities rely on, including those that offer support to the ever-increasing number of people facing hardship. For that, I am very grateful.

Council's challenge

You will be aware the Council’s financial position has been made worse by high inflation, rising energy costs and funding pressures.

We currently estimate we will need to save almost £67m over the next four years.

That is an extremely challenging task.

Officers are working hard to find ways to bridge the gap. Councillors have also started to take some hard decisions that will help us begin to make these savings.

Like other Councils, we are facing a period of great uncertainty. However, as we move into 2023, we will have a much clearer idea of the impact this will have on services.

Season’s greetings

I know many of you will be working over Christmas and New Year to ensure vital services continue and the most vulnerable in society are looked after.

I am very grateful for all your efforts. For those able to take time off, I hope you have a restful holiday surrounded by friends and family.

No matter how you spend the festive period, I wish you a very merry Christmas and a peaceful, happy and healthy New Year.

Best wishes,

Kenneth Lawrie

Chief Executive