COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY AGREES BUDGET
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:34 pmCOUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY AGREES BUDGET
Coalition and opposition members of Argyll and Bute Council joined forces at today's (12th February) 2009/10 budget meeting when they unanimously agreed to freeze Council Tax for the second year running at the current Band D grade of £1,178.
Members also agreed to provide an additional £150,000 per year to help meet growth in demand for adult care services and decided not to accept the proposed efficiency savings option of closing Fyneview respite care home in Lochgilphead.
The Council also agreed to save five part-time libraries from closure in the villages of Cardross, Rosneath, Garelochhead, Cove and Tarbert and to restore the 50% reduction to the music instructors resource budget.
It has been successful in finding the resource to continue supporting a number of leisure facilities throughout Argyll and Bute, including the Mactaggart Centre, and to carry on providing community and housing support on Atlantic Islands. Members also agreed that external organisations are not to be charged for Streetscene services at this time for a number of major events which bring considerable benefits to the area.
Council Leader, Councillor Dick Walsh, Leader of the Alliance of Independent Councillors, touched on the achievements of the Council so far and his aspirations for 2009 and beyond.
He said: "This time last year we were a new Council approaching our first budget. It is clear to see that the May 2007 elections were a watershed in the sense that the organisation that we all became part of then was a very different one from before. We very early developed a sense of common purpose which I think has become embedded in the way we do our business.
"We have been on a journey of improvement which has seen a number of positive developments. We have a direction, we have a plan to get there and we have the determination to succeed.
"I would like to pay tribute to all councillors and officers for the way they have been, not fellow passengers on the journey, but valued contributors to a shared direction of travel. The overall approach to the planning and budget process has been to align our corporate and service plans and allocate our financial resources to deliver our priorities. This year we have incorporated a risk based approach and have service plans which are more outcome focussed with clearer actions and success measures.
"In the coming year we want to embed this approach into our everyday business. We want to develop plans and develop the performance scorecards. These will allow us to see what we are achieving more clearly.
"The last year has seen not just financial challenges for the Council, which in a sense we are used to, but wider economic challenges for everyone as we have watched an economic downturn that has not been seen for over a generation. In particular, I want to mention the bold decision we took last November. As the full impact of this downturn was emerging, we agreed to support our communities to face the future through a £30 million programme of major public realm works which we will deliver through the chord programme. This will see real improvements in Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon which will help to sustain the vibrancy of these towns and make a lasting impact.
"It is a privilege to serve and lead such a Council and I want to thank everyone who, every day, makes Argyll and Bute a better place. What we see in Argyll and Bute today will be a decade of capital investment to the tune of more than £300m; quality people dedicated to delivering quality services; and councillors, officers and our partners, committed to transforming a common vision into reality."
Depute Leader, Councillor Robert Macintyre, Leader of the SNP group, added: "This is the second year of the Independent/SNP coalition and the second year that we have been able to announce a zero percent rise in Council Tax.
"We have a very good relationship with Scottish Government Ministers and I am especially pleased that those Scottish Ministers have become regular visitors to Argyll and Bute. In this time of recession we are experiencing rising unemployment with the UK economy in a dire state, Council Tax payers in Argyll and Bute will be relieved that for a second year in a row they don't have to find extra monies for their Council Tax bill which they have seen rise in this authority by 74.52% in the 10 years prior to 2007. The unfair settlement given by Government back in 1996 was a legacy that has proved very difficult to shake off.
"As with all budgets, no decisions are taken lightly, there are always tough decisions to make. Some are decisions we would rather not have to make but as Councillor Walsh said, partnership working is the key to our success and ensures through the Single Outcome Agreement and the Community Planning Partnership, that there is a focus, that resources are used in the most efficient way possible and that our partners are engaged in the decision making progress.
"In this way we can plan for the future and continue to strive to meet the needs of the people of Argyll and Bute and I hereby second the motion."
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Ellen Morton, said: "Given the difficult economic times we live in, both nationally and internationally, I think the people of Argyll and Bute would expect all of us to work positively together for the good of the whole community despite any differences in political philosophy. So I am pleased to support the budget motion proposed by the Leader of the Council and have enjoyed the opportunity to work constructively with the Leader in the preparation of this budget.
"The Scottish Government policy of a freeze on Council tax leaves very little choice for Councils across Scotland to do anything but agree to a zero rise. Any other option would make no financial sense, so we need to work as best we can within those constraints.
"As Liberal Democrats our group has traditionally placed great emphasis on the need to protect the vulnerable in our society and so we welcome the commitment given to Social Work in this budget. However, moving forward from today what we also need to see is that these enormous resources are properly managed and well spent. There can be no year on year blank cheque for Social Work. We need to address issues of staff absence in certain departments, we need to move ahead with our reorganisation and we need to continue to deliver the quality of service people need at a cost we can afford.
"On a more local, more personal level I am also delighted that this budget saves our rural libraries. I believe rural libraries play a vital role in supporting vibrant communities, one of the key planks in our aspiration to be the leading rural area."
On behalf of the Conservative Group, Councillor Donald Kelly also welcomed the motion, making the vote unanimous.
Coalition and opposition members of Argyll and Bute Council joined forces at today's (12th February) 2009/10 budget meeting when they unanimously agreed to freeze Council Tax for the second year running at the current Band D grade of £1,178.
Members also agreed to provide an additional £150,000 per year to help meet growth in demand for adult care services and decided not to accept the proposed efficiency savings option of closing Fyneview respite care home in Lochgilphead.
The Council also agreed to save five part-time libraries from closure in the villages of Cardross, Rosneath, Garelochhead, Cove and Tarbert and to restore the 50% reduction to the music instructors resource budget.
It has been successful in finding the resource to continue supporting a number of leisure facilities throughout Argyll and Bute, including the Mactaggart Centre, and to carry on providing community and housing support on Atlantic Islands. Members also agreed that external organisations are not to be charged for Streetscene services at this time for a number of major events which bring considerable benefits to the area.
Council Leader, Councillor Dick Walsh, Leader of the Alliance of Independent Councillors, touched on the achievements of the Council so far and his aspirations for 2009 and beyond.
He said: "This time last year we were a new Council approaching our first budget. It is clear to see that the May 2007 elections were a watershed in the sense that the organisation that we all became part of then was a very different one from before. We very early developed a sense of common purpose which I think has become embedded in the way we do our business.
"We have been on a journey of improvement which has seen a number of positive developments. We have a direction, we have a plan to get there and we have the determination to succeed.
"I would like to pay tribute to all councillors and officers for the way they have been, not fellow passengers on the journey, but valued contributors to a shared direction of travel. The overall approach to the planning and budget process has been to align our corporate and service plans and allocate our financial resources to deliver our priorities. This year we have incorporated a risk based approach and have service plans which are more outcome focussed with clearer actions and success measures.
"In the coming year we want to embed this approach into our everyday business. We want to develop plans and develop the performance scorecards. These will allow us to see what we are achieving more clearly.
"The last year has seen not just financial challenges for the Council, which in a sense we are used to, but wider economic challenges for everyone as we have watched an economic downturn that has not been seen for over a generation. In particular, I want to mention the bold decision we took last November. As the full impact of this downturn was emerging, we agreed to support our communities to face the future through a £30 million programme of major public realm works which we will deliver through the chord programme. This will see real improvements in Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay and Dunoon which will help to sustain the vibrancy of these towns and make a lasting impact.
"It is a privilege to serve and lead such a Council and I want to thank everyone who, every day, makes Argyll and Bute a better place. What we see in Argyll and Bute today will be a decade of capital investment to the tune of more than £300m; quality people dedicated to delivering quality services; and councillors, officers and our partners, committed to transforming a common vision into reality."
Depute Leader, Councillor Robert Macintyre, Leader of the SNP group, added: "This is the second year of the Independent/SNP coalition and the second year that we have been able to announce a zero percent rise in Council Tax.
"We have a very good relationship with Scottish Government Ministers and I am especially pleased that those Scottish Ministers have become regular visitors to Argyll and Bute. In this time of recession we are experiencing rising unemployment with the UK economy in a dire state, Council Tax payers in Argyll and Bute will be relieved that for a second year in a row they don't have to find extra monies for their Council Tax bill which they have seen rise in this authority by 74.52% in the 10 years prior to 2007. The unfair settlement given by Government back in 1996 was a legacy that has proved very difficult to shake off.
"As with all budgets, no decisions are taken lightly, there are always tough decisions to make. Some are decisions we would rather not have to make but as Councillor Walsh said, partnership working is the key to our success and ensures through the Single Outcome Agreement and the Community Planning Partnership, that there is a focus, that resources are used in the most efficient way possible and that our partners are engaged in the decision making progress.
"In this way we can plan for the future and continue to strive to meet the needs of the people of Argyll and Bute and I hereby second the motion."
Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor Ellen Morton, said: "Given the difficult economic times we live in, both nationally and internationally, I think the people of Argyll and Bute would expect all of us to work positively together for the good of the whole community despite any differences in political philosophy. So I am pleased to support the budget motion proposed by the Leader of the Council and have enjoyed the opportunity to work constructively with the Leader in the preparation of this budget.
"The Scottish Government policy of a freeze on Council tax leaves very little choice for Councils across Scotland to do anything but agree to a zero rise. Any other option would make no financial sense, so we need to work as best we can within those constraints.
"As Liberal Democrats our group has traditionally placed great emphasis on the need to protect the vulnerable in our society and so we welcome the commitment given to Social Work in this budget. However, moving forward from today what we also need to see is that these enormous resources are properly managed and well spent. There can be no year on year blank cheque for Social Work. We need to address issues of staff absence in certain departments, we need to move ahead with our reorganisation and we need to continue to deliver the quality of service people need at a cost we can afford.
"On a more local, more personal level I am also delighted that this budget saves our rural libraries. I believe rural libraries play a vital role in supporting vibrant communities, one of the key planks in our aspiration to be the leading rural area."
On behalf of the Conservative Group, Councillor Donald Kelly also welcomed the motion, making the vote unanimous.