Scotland · single-tier councils · 2024-25
Argyll and Bute Council budget and spending
Argyll and Bute Council had net current service expenditure of £297.4m in 2024-25, about £3,406 for each of its 87,310 residents. By total budget it is 152nd highest of 185 single-tier councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £297.4m
- Spend per resident
- £3,406
- 10th of 185 single-tier councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 87,310
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 152nd
- of 185 single-tier councils
This is the council budget only (net current service expenditure). NHS, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest are not included. In two-tier counties, education and social care sit with the county, not the district.
Where Argyll and Bute Council spends its money
- Education£147.0m
49.4% of the budget
- Social work£85.2m
28.7% of the budget
- Environment£21.1m
7.1% of the budget
- Roads and transport£15.4m
5.2% of the budget
- Central services£9.3m
3.1% of the budget
- Culture£8.8m
3.0% of the budget
- Housing (non-HRA)£6.2m
2.1% of the budget
Single-tier councils (unitary, metropolitan, London borough and Scottish and Welsh councils) run every local service in their area, so they are compared with each other.
Councils with similar spend per resident
Argyll and Bute Council: common questions
How much does Argyll and Bute Council spend?
Argyll and Bute Council had net current service expenditure of £297.4m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Argyll and Bute Council spend per resident?
About £3,406 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £297.4m and an ONS population estimate of 87,310. That is 10th highest of 185 single-tier councils.
What does Argyll and Bute Council spend most on?
Education is the largest service line at £147.0m, 49.4% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much of Argyll and Bute Council's budget goes on social care?
Adult and children's social care together take 28.7% of net service spending in 2024-25.