THE council will set its new budget in March, it's been announced today.

The local authority recently delayed the process for the first time in its history amid uncertainty over future Scottish Government funding.

It had been due to set out its spending plans on February 18.

The council tax rate is still expected to be set on that date, however, in order to comply with timescales to issue bills.

Council leader Stephen McCabe said: “We are expected to be able to balance our budget for the next financial year without the need for any new budget savings or service reductions beyond anything already in place.

"However there is an estimated funding gap of almost £4 million for the following year and there is still uncertainty around the settlement from the Scottish Government. On that basis it is only right that we give ourselves more time to consider the options before making any decisions.”

The change to this year's budget process calendar comes after a recommendation from a cross-party budget working group, which has been working for the past year examining savings options.

The amount of grant for Inverclyde Council from the Scottish Government has been reduced by £6.6 million.

Cllr McCabe added: “We are working together with our trade union colleagues and all elected members through the cross-party members’ budget working group to protect jobs and services as best we can. This is proving extremely challenging in the face of the extra cut from the Scottish Government.”