A special meeting to review controversial budget cuts affecting village halls and a plethora of voluntary organisations across the region will be held on November 10 at Highland Council’s Inverness headquarters.
Many councillors are incensed at proposals to slash or axe grants traditionally awarded to dozens of groups because of the scale of proposed revenue budget savings the council is having to make over the next two years.
Almost £500,000 less will go to such purposes with 20 organisations facing cuts in council support in that period.
However, the Aviemore Highland Resort will have its £150,000 grant increased to £180,000 and Eden Court Theatre in Inverness is expected to retain most of its £507,000 grant.
Finance director Derek Yule estimates that Highland will need to make savings of up to £72million over the next three years.
Precise figures for 2017-18 will not be established until the UK and Scottish Governments publish financial statements this winter, leaving councils little time to balance their books.
