£725 million budget for South Lanarkshire Council

For this year's budget saw 17.5 million cut from the council's pot, with more cuts expected next year.

The good news is that, for the third year in succession, council tax is frozen — with the amount householders pay remaining the same.

And the council also pledged to continue its investment in the Schools Modernisation and Home Happening programmes.

However, Councillor McAvoy said this year's budget had been one of the most difficult to finalise...and said the council was bearing the brunt of the recession.

Addressing his fellow councillors, he said: "You don't need me to tell you that things are stretched financially.

"The truth is we are in the grip of the deepest recession to hit the UK in decades, in no small part due to the country's banking catastrophe.

"And the fact is that the council is not immune from the consequences.

"I think most folk know we, along with every other council in the country, are bearing the brunt of a problem that has neither been caused nor created by us."

For more information on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.