3
There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2019/20, together with appendices detailing revenue estimates for 2019/20; estimates of expenditure and income for the year ended 31 March 2020; and the General Fund probable outturn for 2018/19.
The report provided Councillors with an overview of the Council’s projected financial position on the General Fund revenue budget and detailed the information required for the Council to set its budget and Council Tax for 2019/20. The report also recommended that Councillors considered the medium-term financial context for the Council and the ongoing financial pressures and challenges facing the public sector more generally, as detailed within the report.
The report intimated that the Scottish Government had not provided any material details of spending plans beyond 2019/20 but had published its first Medium-term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and had committed to providing three-year local government settlements from 2020/21 onwards. The MTFS set out the detail of the Government’s financial assessment of the funding required to deliver on its key policy priorities over the course of this parliamentary period covering for example its policy commitments to spending on Health, Police and Education as well as the commitment to the expansion of free Early Learning and Childcare provision across Scotland. A report on the MTFS was presented to the meeting of the Council held on 26 June 2018, which outlined the clear commitment the Scottish Government had made to the delivery of each of these policy priorities and also confirmed that all other areas of the public sector, which would include the core local government budget, would require to be accommodated within the overall envelope of resources remaining each year after meeting the funding commitments to the stated policy priorities.
The Scottish Government had allocated £315.487 million grant funding to Renfrewshire Council for 2019/20 subject to compliance with a number of associated conditions. This included maintaining, at a national level, the overall pupil teacher ratio of 13.7 and providing places for all probationers who required one; the continued prioritisation of financial support for social care including the use of £160 million funding provided nationally to support cost and demand pressures, the ongoing implementation of the Carers Act, school mental health services and care for the under-65s; and the continuation of the Council Tax cap of 4.79%. The Scottish Government had indicated that should the conditions not be met, the funding allocation would be reduced, however the scale of any reduction had not been confirmed.
Councillor Shaw, seconded by Councillor Nicolson, moved:
1. That this Administration’s second budget will continue to deliver on its commitments set out in its manifesto to the citizens of Renfrewshire to invest in inclusive economic growth, the environment, local communities and support the most vulnerable in Renfrewshire.
2. That as recommended by the Director, these budget proposals take a holistic view of resources available and include the use of the £4.200 million of available capital resources outlined in Agenda item 4.
3. Further and in line with the recommendations of the Director, that unallocated General Fund balances are budgeted to be maintained at £7.094 million moving into 2019/20 and that on the closure of the 2018/19 accounts, any unallocated balances in excess of this amount be transferred to the Investment Programme Capital Fund to provide additional capacity in future years to the debt smoothing strategy.
4. Ring fence the additional 1.79% Council Tax flexibility made available by the Scottish Government as covered in point 26 below, to provide £1.300 million to support prudential borrowing which unlocks the following strategic investment commitment across Renfrewshire:-
• £40.289 million medium term investment programme in Renfrewshire’s road, cycling and pathway network, as summarised in the table below. This investment programme, which will see over £37 million invested in the network in just 4 years, represents the biggest ever sustained investment programme in the network and will be focused on delivering a stepped change in the condition of those key routes that keep the Renfrewshire economy moving. This investment is in addition to the strategic transport infrastructure investment that will be delivered as part of the City Deal projects across Renfrewshire. The annual charges arising from the £12.000 million of new prudential borrowing will be funded by £0.4 million of revenue resources funded by Council tax income with the balance funded by consequential revenue efficiencies that will be achievable due directly to the improved network condition delivered by the investment programme.
|
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
2021/22 |
2022/23 |
2023/24 |
Total |
|
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
£m |
Existing Annual Prudential Borrowing
|
0.400 |
0.400 |
0.400 |
0.400 |
0.400 |
2.00 |
Capital Grant Commitment** |
5.600 |
5.600 |
5.600 |
5.600 |
2.600 |
25.000 |
New Prudential Borrowing |
1.800 |
2.000 |
4.000 |
4.200 |
|
12.000 |
CWSS Specific Grant** |
0.289 |
0.250 |
0.250 |
0.250 |
0.250 |
1.289 |
Total |
8.089 |
8.250 |
10.250 |
10.450 |
3.250 |
40.289 |
** This programme commits £3 million of the unallocated capital resources referred to in Item 4 and forward commits £5.6 million of available general capital grant each year beyond 2019/20 and up to and including 2022/23 and assumes a continuation of the CWSS specific grant at similar levels in future years.
• £27m Schools Investment Fund to support the priorities that emerge from the ongoing review of the School Estate Management Plan and to provide match funding capacity against opportunities for Renfrewshire to secure funding from the Scottish Government’s £1bn schools investment fund, ensuring the overall investment in our School Estate has the ability to grow beyond this initial commitment. This £27m fund will be delivered through £20.650m of predominantly prudential borrowing capacity serviced by £0.9m of Council Tax resources, in addition to a £6.350m revenue contribution in 2019/20. Should the funding subsequently announced to support increases in Teacher Pension costs be more or less than the assumed £3.3 million outlined in the Directors report, that this £6.350 million revenue contribution to the schools investment fund be adjusted either up or down by a corresponding amount to maintain a balanced budget position in 2019/20.
5. Redirect £2 million from the £7.5 million regeneration resources referred to in paragraph 3.3 of the Director’s report at agenda item 4 to support investment in Paisley Grammar, St Anthony’s, Kirklandneuk and Bishopton primary schools. The detailed programme will be the subject of a report to a subsequent Education and Children’s Service Policy Board. This leaves £5.5 million of approved capital resources which will be directed to support regeneration in the area to the south of the Glasgow Airport Investment Area. This will be targeted at providing development proposals which will both complement the high quality AMIDS / NMIS development being delivered as part of the GAIA project and providing greater economic connectivity between these key growth areas and Paisley Town Centre.
6. Commit a further £1.330 million, being £1.050 million of capital resources and £0.280 million of revenue resources to augment the existing £1 million investment in community halls. This investment programme will be subject to a future detailed report to the Leadership Board but in the first instance will be directed to support full refurbishment projects for the McKillop Institute, Elderslie Village Hall and South End Action Centre and in addition provide initial investment in the Steeple Hall Kilbarchan.
7. Commit £0.500 million of revenue resources to be directed flexibly over the period 2019/20 - 2022/23 to provide funding support to the programme of music participation and tuition across Renfrewshire School pupils. In line with the investment made by this Administration last year, a report on the ongoing delivery of this programme will be presented to a future meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board.
8. Invest £0.360 million of revenue resources to deliver the following interventions as part of this Administration’s commitment towards inclusive economic growth across Renfrewshire:
• £0.150 million revenue resources to improve priority markings across Renfrewshire’s road network, including specifically markings in and around our schools.
• £0.100 million revenue resources to augment the existing Retail Improvement Fund directed to support local businesses improve shop fronts.
• £0.110 million of recurring revenue resources to enhance warden provision across Paisley Town Centre as part of supporting its ongoing economic development and vibrant heritage led activity programme.
9. Invest £0.150 million of revenue resources to support a programme of tree works across Renfrewshire’s key urban conurbations.
10. Commit £0.010 million of revenue resources to install Defibrillators across Renfrewshire’s secondary schools.
11. Commit £0.100 million of capital resources to support improvements to Barshaw Park pond.
12. Commit £0.115 million of recurring revenue resources to support increasing Foster Carer and Kinship Carer fees and maintenance allowance by 3%, recognising the invaluable contribution these individuals make to ensuring some of the most vulnerable children across Renfrewshire are safely cared for and looked after.
13. Commit £0.050 million of recurring revenue resources to support Renfrewshire Leisure to develop and deliver a library outreach service ensuring those less able to access mainstream services have the opportunity to enjoy access to books and other library materials.
14. Commit £0.030 million of revenue resources to establish a Provost’s School Exchange Fund that will be targeted at supporting our schools and pupils to develop their relationships with peers across the international spectrum.
15. Commit £0.030 million of revenue resources and £0.050 million of capital resources to support the re-provision of existing dog fouling bins with multi-purpose litter and dog fouling bins.
16. Invest £0.010 million of revenue resources to provide staff training in the provision of support to victims of domestic abuse.
17. Commit £0.050 million of revenue resources to support the development of proposals for the delivery of an inclusive adventure playpark for children of families with disabilities within Renfrewshire aimed at ensuring the opportunity to play within a safe, inclusive and high quality adventure playground facility is made available to all children across Renfrewshire.
18. Invest £0.100 million of recurring revenue resources to support the development and implementation of a safety initiative team aimed at tackling irresponsible parking and making our roads safer in and around our schools.
19. To protect services to the most vulnerable in Renfrewshire, and in line with the conditions set out in the 2019/20 financial settlement, agree to the recommendation outlined in the Director’s report to make available £1.424 million of additional recurring resources to manage the net impact of new service and cost pressures within Adult Social Care Services, and continue the implementation of the Carers Act. These additional resources will be made available under delegation to the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP) from 1 April 2019. In addition, as part of this delegation process, agree to continue to work in pro-active partnership with the RHSCP and social care providers to secure payment of the living wage to all care staff providing services to Renfrewshire residents in addition to those directly employed by the Council. Further, agree that any required draw from flexibility/risk resources earmarked to support adult social care be managed as per the process outlined in paragraph 4.7 of the Director’s report.
20. To agree the base budget assessment for all services for 2019/20 as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources, and subject to agreement of item 19 above, agree a 2019/20 base budget of £395.740 million.
21. To agree to make provision of £7.231 million in 2019/20 for pay inflation as detailed in section 5.1 of the Directors report and make no provision for general non-pay inflation, as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources.
22. To agree to a general 2% inflationary increase in charges for services, subject to the note at paragraph 25 below and in addition to agree the proposals outlined at paragraph 5.3 of the report to adjust the current rates in relation to cemetery charges by 5% in addition to the general inflationary uplift.
23. To agree that for the term of this administration, the Council commits to: -
• Not introduce any form of new charging for the collection of household waste, outwith existing special uplift arrangements, and
• Not introduce a workforce parking levy in Renfrewshire should the Scottish Government successfully introduce legislation to provide local authorities with the discretionary power to do so.
24. To agree the resource allocations for 2019/20 for all services, as amended by these proposals.
25. To agree the detailed Revenue Estimates for all services be amended to reflect these proposals and the necessary allocation of central support costs, central repairs costs, capital charges, specific grants and loan charges provision with Directors authorised to take any action necessary to implement these decisions.
26. Subject to agreement of the above, to agree that the council tax for 2019/20 be set at £1,257.09 for Band D subjects, representing a 4.79% increase on the 2018/19 level, and for all bandings to be set at:
|
|
Core |
Investment |
|
Band |
2018/19 |
Increase |
Increase |
2019/20 |
|
|
3% |
1.79% |
|
A |
799.75 |
23.99 |
14.32 |
838.06 |
B |
933.05 |
27.99 |
16.70 |
977.74 |
C |
1,066.34 |
31.99 |
19.09 |
1,117.42 |
D |
1,199.63 |
35.99 |
21.47 |
1,257.09 |
E |
1,576.18 |
47.29 |
28.21 |
1,651.68 |
F |
1,949.40 |
58.48 |
34.88 |
2,042.77 |
G |
2,349.28 |
70.48 |
42.05 |
2,461.81 |
H |
2,939.09 |
88.17 |
52.62 |
3,079.88 |
Note that of the above increase, the resources linked to the use of the additional flexibility of 1.79% provided by the Scottish Government has been directed to unlock the strategic investment proposals outlined at point 4 above.
27. Subject to agreement of the points above, agree that the Council’s budget is underpinned by appropriate decisions and makes appropriate provision to meet the specified commitments in the package of conditions linked to the Council’s grant settlement.
28. To agree to increase other charges for services by 2% (as detailed in paragraph 22 above) or where appropriate by the rate set in national legislation or guidance, or where charges are based on full cost recovery by the appropriate increase to maintain this position, subject to Directors being authorised
(a) to round the charge up or down to a figure deemed by them appropriate, and
(b) not to impose any increase, if having reviewed the implications of the increase, he or she determines it would be inappropriate to do so, having regard to any material factor applicable to the goods or services to which the charge relates.
To note the requirement of financial code 13 that Directors review the amounts their departments charge for goods or services and if they think any charge needs to be increase they will recommend this to the appropriate Board. The Council therefore agrees that when a Director carries out such a review and believes a charge for goods or services should be levied which reflects an increase greater than the increase of 2% or the rate set in national legislation or guidance, he or she will be entitled to recommend the same to the appropriate Board for approval.
Councillor Harte, seconded by Councillor Sharkey, moved as an amendment:
1. That as recommended by the Director, these budget proposals take a holistic view of resources available and include the use of the £4.200 million of available capital resources outlined in Agenda item 4.
2. Further and in line with the recommendations of the Director, that unallocated General Fund balances are budgeted to be maintained at £7.094 million moving into 2019/20 and that on the closure of the 2018/19 accounts, any unallocated balances in excess of this amount be transferred to the Investment Programme Capital Fund to provide additional capacity in future years to the debt smoothing strategy.
3. To invest £2.350 million, being £1.750 million of capital resources and £0.600 million of revenue resources, to lift the investment in roads and footpath network to £5.639 million in 2019/20.
4. To invest £2.625 million, being £2.250 million of capital resources and £0.375 million of revenue resources to support investment in parks and recreational green space across Renfrewshire, prioritising Erskine and the villages, recognising the important and positive role such spaces make to the healthy and active lives of our communities.
5. Invest £0.200 million of capital resources to provide a high quality refurbishment of Gryffe High School football pitch, providing a 3G surface to be enjoyed by the pupils and community alike.
6. To support investment in our school communities and closing the attainment gap commit £2.610 million of revenue resources to the following investment priorities:
£1.560 million to provide over a three year period additional teacher capacity across our secondary school establishments to support the provision of a wider curriculum choice for our S5 and S6 pupils.
£0.600 million to provide mental health support to our Primary Schools over the next three years and for a future report to be provided by the Director to the Children and Education Policy Board to outline in detail the plans for the delivery of this service.
£0.300 million to provide £0.100 million per annum support to increase the provision of Breakfast Clubs across Renfrewshire’s schools, in recognition of the positive impact such clubs have had to supporting our young people in some of the most deprived areas be ready and prepared to learn each day in school.
£0.100 million to ensure that over the next three years every primary 5 to 7 pupil in Renfrewshire schools has access to a credit union account with a £10 starter balance.
£0.050 million to provide a one off contribution to Paisley Grammar School for gym equipment
7. In recognition of the highly positive impact tackling poverty and inequality has made in Renfrewshire, commit additional revenue resources of £2.242 million to invest in the following key priorities: -
Invest £ 0.300 million to provide a £ 0.100 million per annum top up over three years to the Scottish Welfare Fund in recognition of the ongoing pressure that this fund experiences and the increased requirement that will emerge as Universal Credit is rolled out across Renfrewshire.
Invest £ 0.450 million to provide a £ 0.150 million per annum top up over three years to the Discretionary Housing Payment fund, again in recognition of the increased pressure that will be experienced from hardship applications arising from citizens impacted by their transition to Universal Credit.
Invest £ 0.150 million to provide £ 0.050 million per annum over three years to provide home starter packs for new tenants in Renfrewshire, providing much needed support for key items for citizens setting up their new council home.
Invest £ 0.300 million to provide a £0.100 million per annum programme over three years to provide vocational support to unemployed parents across Renfrewshire.
Invest £0.200 million to provide support over 4 years to Citizens Advice Bureau for the provision of their helpline.
Invest £ 0.200 million to provide £0.050 million per annum for the provision of a new Advice Service presence at Renfrewshire Foodbank, with the hours tailored to match the operating hours of the Foodbank ensuring that all users get access to much needed advice and support.
Invest £0.210 million to employ, over three years, two Health and Homelessness Coordinators, providing a much needed service to some of our most vulnerable citizens in Renfrewshire.
Earmark £0.300 million to provide a £0.100 million per annum boost over three years to the highly successful Street Stuff initiative.
Invest £0.132 million to more than double the availability of funding for the Missing Share Tenement Scheme to support owners meet the cost of common repair bills.
8. To protect services to the most vulnerable in Renfrewshire, and in line with the conditions set out in the 2019/20 financial settlement, agree to the recommendation outlined in the Director’s report to make available £1.424 million of additional recurring resources to manage the net impact of new service and cost pressures within Adult Social Care Services, and continue the implementation of the Carers Act. These additional resources will be made available under delegation to the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP) from 1 April 2019. In addition, as part of this delegation process, agree to continue to work in pro-active partnership with the RHSCP and social care providers to secure payment of the living wage to all care staff providing services to Renfrewshire residents in addition to those directly employed by the Council. Further, agree that any required draw from flexibility/risk resources earmarked to support adult social care be managed as per the process outlined in paragraph 4.7 of the Director’s report.
9. To agree the base budget assessment for all services for 2019/20 as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources, and subject to agreement of item 8 above, agree a 2019/20 base budget of £395.740 million.
10. To agree to make provision of £7.231 million in 2019/20 for pay inflation as detailed in section 5.1 of the Directors report and make no provision for general non-pay inflation, as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources.
11. To agree to a general 2% inflationary increase in charges for services, with the exception of Community Halls charges which will be frozen, subject to the note at paragraph 15 below and in addition to agree the proposals outlined at paragraph 5.3 of the report to adjust the current rates in relation to cemetery charges by 5% in addition to the general inflationary uplift.
12. To agree the resource allocations for 2019/20 for all services, as amended by these proposals.
13. To agree the detailed Revenue Estimates for all services be amended to reflect these proposals and the necessary allocation of central support costs, central repairs costs, capital charges, specific grants and loan charges provision with Directors authorised to take any action necessary to implement these decisions.
14. Subject to agreement of the above, to agree that the council tax for 2019/20 be frozen at 2018/19 levels and therefore set Band D subjects at £1,199.63 and for all bandings to be set at:
Band |
2019/20 (£s) |
A |
799.75 |
B |
933.05 |
C |
1,066.34 |
D |
1,199.63 |
E |
1,576.18 |
F |
1,949.40 |
G |
2,349.28 |
H |
2,939.09 |
15. Subject to agreement of the points above, agree that the Council’s budget is underpinned by appropriate decisions and makes appropriate provision to meet the specified commitments in the package of conditions linked to the Council’s grant settlement.
16. To agree to increase other charges for services by 2% (as detailed in paragraph 11 above) or where appropriate by the rate set in national legislation or guidance, or where charges are based on full cost recovery by the appropriate increase to maintain this position, subject to Directors being authorised
(a) to round the charge up or down to a figure deemed by them appropriate, and
(b) not to impose any increase, if having reviewed the implications of the increase, he or she determines it would be inappropriate to do so, having regard to any material factor applicable to the goods or services to which the charge relates.
(c) to note the requirement of financial code 13 that Directors review the amounts their departments charge for goods or services and if they think any charge needs to be increase they will recommend this to the appropriate Board. The Council therefore agrees that when a Director carries out such a review and believes a charge for goods or services should be levied which reflects an increase greater than the increase of 2% or the rate set in national legislation or guidance, he or she will be entitled to recommend the same to the appropriate Board for approval.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting then adjourned at 9.55 am to allow members to consider the motion. The meeting reconvened at 10.15 am.
On the roll being called the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Begg, Bibby, Binks, Brown, Davidson, Devine, Dowling, Grady, Graham, Harte, Hood, Kennedy, Kerr, J MacLaren, McCulloch, McIntyre, Sharkey, Sheridan and Strang.
The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Adam-McGregor, Burns, J Cameron, Provost L Cameron, Councillors Campbell, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Don, Hughes, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McCartin, McEwan, McGurk, McNaughtan, Mylet, Nicolson, Paterson, Rodden, Shaw and Steel.
The following member abstained: Councillor Mack.
19 members having voted for the amendment, 21 having voted for the motion and 1 member having abstained, the motion was accordingly declared carried.
DECIDED:
(a) That this Administration’s second budget would continue to deliver on its commitments set out in its manifesto to the citizens of Renfrewshire to invest in inclusive economic growth, the environment, local communities and support the most vulnerable in Renfrewshire;
(b) That as recommended by the Director, these budget proposals would take a holistic view of resources available and include the use of the £4.200 million of available capital resources outlined in Agenda item 4;
(c) That further and in line with the recommendations of the Director, that unallocated General Fund balances were budgeted to be maintained at £7.094 million moving into 2019/20 and that on the closure of the 2018/19 accounts, any unallocated balances in excess of this amount be transferred to the Investment Programme Capital Fund to provide additional capacity in future years to the debt smoothing strategy;
(d) That the additional 1.79% Council Tax flexibility made available by the Scottish Government as covered in point 26 below, be ring fenced to provide £1.300 million to support prudential borrowing which unlocked the following strategic investment commitment across Renfrewshire: -
£40.289 million medium term investment programme in Renfrewshire’s road, cycling and pathway network, as summarised in the table below. This investment programme, which would see over £37 million invested in the network in just 4 years, represented the biggest ever sustained investment programme in the network and would be focused on delivering a stepped change in the condition of those key routes that kept the Renfrewshire economy moving. This investment was in addition to the strategic transport infrastructure investment that would be delivered as part of the City Deal projects across Renfrewshire. The annual charges arising from the £12.000 million of new prudential borrowing would be funded by £0.4 million of revenue resources funded by Council tax income with the balance funded by consequential revenue efficiencies that would be achievable due directly to the improved network condition delivered by the investment programme.
|
2019/20
£m
|
2020/21
£m
|
2021/22
£m
|
2022/23
£m
|
2023/24
£m
|
Total
£m
|
Existing Annual Prudential Borrowing |
0.400 |
0.400 |
0.400 |
0.400 |
0.400 |
2.000 |
Capital Grant Commitment** |
5.600 |
5.600 |
5.600 |
5.600 |
2.600 |
25.000 |
New Prudential Borrowing |
1.800 |
2.000 |
4.000 |
4.200 |
|
12.00 |
CWSS Specific Grant** |
0.289 |
0.250 |
0.250 |
0.250 |
0.250 |
1.289 |
Total |
8.089 |
8.250 |
10.250 |
10.450 |
3.250 |
40.289 |
** This programme committed £3 million of the unallocated capital resources referred to in Item 4 and forward committed £5.6 million of available general capital grant each year beyond 2019/20 and up to and included 2022/23 and assumed a continuation of the CWSS specific grant at similar levels in future years.
£27 million Schools Investment Fund to support the priorities that emerged from the ongoing review of the School Estate Management Plan and to provide match funding capacity against opportunities for Renfrewshire to secure funding from the Scottish Government’s £1 billion schools investment fund, ensuring the overall investment in our School Estate had the ability to grow beyond this initial commitment. This £27 million fund would be delivered through £20.650 million of predominantly prudential borrowing capacity serviced by £0.9 million of Council Tax resources, in addition to a £6.350 million revenue contribution in 2019/20. Should the funding subsequently announced to support increases in Teacher Pension costs be more or less than the assumed £3.3 million outlined in the Directors report, that this £6.350 million revenue contribution to the schools investment fund be adjusted either up or down by a corresponding amount to maintain a balanced budget position in 2019/20;
(e) That £2 million be redirected from the £7.5 million regeneration resources referred to in paragraph 3.3 of the Director’s report at agenda item 4 to support investment in Paisley Grammar, St Anthony’s, Kirklandneuk and Bishopton primary schools. The detailed programme would be the subject of a report to a subsequent Education and Children’s Service Policy Board. This left £5.5 million of approved capital resources which would be directed to support regeneration in the area to the south of the Glasgow Airport Investment Area. This would be targeted at providing development proposals which would both complement the high quality AMIDS / NMIS development being delivered as part of the GAIA project and providing greater economic connectivity between these key growth areas and Paisley Town Centre;
(f) That a further £1.330 million be committed, being £1.050 million of capital resources and £0.280 million of revenue resources to augment the existing £1 million investment in community halls. This investment programme would be subject to a future detailed report to the Leadership Board but in the first instance would be directed to support full refurbishment projects for the McKillop Institute, Elderslie Village Hall and South End Action Centre and in addition provide initial investment in the Steeple Hall Kilbarchan;
(g) That £0.500 million of revenue resources be committed to be directed flexibly over the period 2019/20 - 2022/23 to provide funding support to the programme of music participation and tuition across Renfrewshire School pupils. In line with the investment made by this Administration last year, a report on the ongoing delivery of this programme will be presented to a future meeting of the Education and Children’s Services Policy Board;
(h) That £0.360 million of revenue resources be invested to deliver the following interventions as part of the Administration’s commitment towards inclusive economic growth across Renfrewshire:
£0.150 million revenue resources to improve priority markings across Renfrewshire’s road network, including specifically markings in and around our schools.
£0.100 million revenue resources to augment the existing Retail Improvement Fund directed to support local businesses improve shop fronts.
£0.110 million of recurring revenue resources to enhance warden provision across Paisley Town Centre as part of supporting its ongoing economic development and vibrant heritage led activity programme;
(i) That £0.150 million of revenue resources be invested to support a programme of tree works across Renfrewshire’s key urban conurbations;
(j) That £0.010 million of revenue resources be committed to install defibrillators across Renfrewshire’s secondary schools;
(k) That £0.100 million of capital resources be committed to support improvements to Barshaw Park pond;
(l) That £0.115 million of recurring revenue resources be committed to support increasing Foster Carer and Kinship Carer fees and maintenance allowance by 3%, recognising the invaluable contribution these individuals make to ensuring some of the most vulnerable children across Renfrewshire are safely cared for and looked after;
(m) That £0.050 million of recurring revenue resources be committed to support Renfrewshire Leisure to develop and deliver a library outreach service ensuring those less able to access mainstream services have the opportunity to enjoy access to books and other library materials;
(n) That £0.030 million of revenue resources be committed to establish a Provost’s School Exchange Fund that would be targeted at supporting our schools and pupils to develop their relationships with peers across the international spectrum;
(o) That £0.030 million of revenue resources and £0.050 million of capital resources be committed to support the re-provision of existing dog fouling bins with multi-purpose litter and dog fouling bins;
(p) That £0.010 million of revenue resources be invested to provide staff training in the provision of support to victims of domestic abuse;
(q) That £0.050 million of revenue resources be committed to support the development of proposals for the delivery of an inclusive adventure playpark for children of families with disabilities within Renfrewshire aimed at ensuring the opportunity to play within a safe, inclusive and high quality adventure playground facility was made available to all children across Renfrewshire;
(r) That £0.100 million of recurring revenue resources be invested to support the development and implementation of a safety initiative team aimed at tackling irresponsible parking and making our roads safer in and around our schools;
(s) That to protect services to the most vulnerable in Renfrewshire, and in line with the conditions set out in the 2019/20 financial settlement, the recommendation outlined in the Director’s report be agreed to make available £1.424 million of additional recurring resources to manage the net impact of new service and cost pressures within Adult Social Care Services, and continue the implementation of the Carers Act. These additional resources would be made available under delegation to the Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (RHSCP) from 1 April 2019. In addition, as part of this delegation process, it be agreed to continue to work in pro-active partnership with the RHSCP and social care providers to secure payment of the living wage to all care staff providing services to Renfrewshire residents in addition to those directly employed by the Council. That it be further agreed that any required draw from flexibility/risk resources earmarked to support adult social care be managed as per the process outlined in paragraph 4.7 of the Director’s report;
(t) That the base budget assessment for all services for 2019/20 be agreed as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources and a 2019/20 base budget of £395.740 million be agreed;
(u) That provision of £7.231 million in 2019/20 be made for pay inflation as detailed in section 5.1 of the Directors report and no provision be made for general non-pay inflation, as recommended by the Director of Finance and Resources;
(v) That a general 2% inflationary increase in charges for services be agreed, subject to the decision detailed at (w) below and in addition to agree the proposals outlined at paragraph 5.3 of the report that the current rates in relation to cemetery charges be adjusted by 5% in addition to the general inflationary uplift;
(w) That it be agreed that for the term of this administration, the Council committed to:-
Not introduce any form of new charging for the collection of household waste, outwith existing special uplift arrangements, and
Not introduce a workforce parking levy in Renfrewshire should the Scottish Government successfully introduce legislation to provide local authorities with the discretionary power to do so;
(x) That the resource allocations for 2019/20 for all services be agreed, as amended by the proposals;
(y) That it be agreed that the detailed Revenue Estimates for all services be amended to reflect the proposals and the necessary allocation of central support costs, central repairs costs, capital charges, specific grants and loan charges provision with Directors authorised to take any action necessary to implement these decisions;
(z) That it be agreed that the council tax for 2019/20 be set at £1,257.09 for Band D subjects, representing a 4.79% increase on the 2018/19 level, and for all bandings to be set at:
|
|
Core |
Investment |
|
|
|
Increase |
Increase |
|
Band |
2018/19 |
@ 3% |
@3% |
2019/20 |
A |
799.75 |
23.99 |
14.32 |
836.06 |
B |
933.05 |
27.99 |
16.70 |
977.74 |
C |
1,066.34 |
31.99 |
19.09 |
1,117.42 |
D |
1,199.63 |
35.99 |
21.47 |
1,257.09 |
E |
1,576.18 |
47.29 |
28.21 |
1,651.68 |
F |
1,949.40 |
58.48 |
34.88 |
2,042.77 |
G |
2,349.28 |
70.48 |
42.05 |
2,461.81 |
H |
2,939.09 |
88.17 |
52.62 |
3,079.88 |
That it be noted that of the above increase, the resources linked to the use of the additional flexibility of 1.79% provided by the Scottish Government has been directed to unlock the strategic investment proposals outlined at point 4 above;
(aa) That it be agreed that the Council’s budget is underpinned by appropriate decisions and makes appropriate provision to meet the specified commitments in the package of conditions linked to the Council’s grant settlement;
(bb) That it be agreed that other charges for services be increased by 2% (as detailed in paragraph 22 of the report) or where appropriate by the rate set in national legislation or guidance, or where charges were based on full cost recovery by the appropriate increase to maintain this position, subject to Directors being authorised
(i) to round the charge up or down to a figure deemed by them appropriate, and
(ii) not to impose any increase, if having reviewed the implications of the increase, he or she determined it would be inappropriate to do so, having regard to any material factor applicable to the goods or services to which the charge related; and
(cc) That the requirement of financial code 13 that Directors review the amounts their departments charge for goods or services and if they thought any charge needed to be increased they would recommend this to the appropriate Board be noted. That it be agreed that when a Director carried out such a review and believed a charge for goods or services should be levied which reflected an increase greater than the increase of 2% or the rate set in national legislation or guidance, he or she would be entitled to recommend the same to the appropriate Board for approval.