Bin collections and Christmas lights at risk as council looks to cut costs

Bin collections, city centre events and Christmas lights could be cut as Dundee City Council aims to balance the books.

The council has unveiled a series of cost-cutting options it says could save more than £4m from next year’s budget.

It comes as the council is facing a £12.7m budget deficit for 2027/28.

A report, which will go before the city governance committee next week, details a number of potential saving options set out by council officials.

A four-week public consultation will begin later this month, giving residents the chance to have their say on the possible cuts.

A final decision on which – if any – of the cuts to take forward will be made when councillors set their budget in February.

What are the potential cuts?

The report outlines that the council could look to reduce waste and recycling service provision and collection frequencies from October 1 2027.

This could save the local authority £67,000 in 2027-28 and a further £133,000 in 2028-29.

Cuts to events in the city centre and no longer providing the City Square Christmas tree is another option on the table, and could save £145,000 per year.

Funding for Christmas lights could also be cut to the tune of £110,000.

The council could also look to cease funding for the lifeguard service provided by the RNLI at Broughty Ferry beach during the summer, with a saving of £32,000 each year.

Other cuts and the potential savings include:

• Ceasing to provide maintenance of public space CCTV cameras (£48,000 in 27-28)
• Stopping the printing and distribution of household waste collection calendars from January 2028 (£33,000)
• Withdrawing the council’s public toilet provision (£81,000)
• Reviewing grounds maintenance (£364,000)
• Reducing third-party payments and other grants (£883,000)
• Changing how the school crossing patrollers operate (£102,000)
• Reducing devolved school management budgets by up to 3% (£1.779m)
• No longer subsidising the evening and Sunday services on the number 10 bus (£112,000)

However, the potential closure of the school swimming pools at Baldragon Academy, Harris Academy and St John’s RC High – controversially included in last year’s consultation – is not listed this year.

Council leader Mark Flynn said: “The financial outlook for the council makes the decisions we take to set a budget for the year ahead increasingly difficult.

“However, we have a legal responsibility to set a balanced budget every year.

“While £186m of savings and efficiencies have been made by the council since 2008, we calculate that we may need to make further savings next year.

“Demand for many services is increasing and, as with households, the Council’s bills for essentials like utilities and services have continued to rise.

“Despite these challenges, we will always look to protect the city’s most vulnerable residents and the council’s frontline services.

“The reality we face is that very difficult decisions must be taken and these will impact on the lives of residents.”

Mr Flynn added: “It is important that people have an opportunity to have their say on the savings options and by taking part in the budget consultation they can do that.

“It should be made clear that none of the savings proposals have been decided, they are simply options put forward by officers.”

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