Counting the cost of council cuts

Highland Council's halved spending on kids' play parks, raised council tax by three-per-cent, and parking charges are coming to Alness, Dingwall, and Nairn.
The increase in council tax will mean the cost of living in a Band D property goes up by almost £36, and the parking charges will be rolled out as part of a five year plan.
Year one begins with Alness Station, Dingwall Southside, and in Nairn: the library, harbour, Cumming Street, and The Maggot. Popular tourist attraction - famous for dolphin-watching - Chanonry Point will also be on the meter.
Although the turnover forecast is £210,000, initial implementation costs will be £143,000.
Also approved today in the budget for the year ahead were plans for pay as go public toilets in Dornoch, Thurso, Golspie, and Carrbridge, and a five per cent increase added to the cost of parking permits.
And women and child domestic abuse victims face fewer refuges and waitings lists across the North, after Women's Aid had almost £80,000 slashed from its local authority funding for branches covering Inverness, Ross-shire, and Caithness and Sutherland.

MFR News bulletins at 5pm and 6pm on 15/2/18.