Report by Director of Finance & Resources
2
There was submitted a report by the Director of Finance & Resources relative to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation Research Report entitled ‘The cost of the cuts: the impact on local government and poorer communities’, published in March 2015.
The report intimated that during 2013, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation commissioned a research project where Renfrewshire Council, along with three English councils, Newcastle City Council, Coventry City Council and Milton Keynes Council, formed four key local authority case studies. The project, delivered by a group of academic researchers from Glasgow and Heriot Watt Universities, aimed to provide a detailed picture over time of how local authorities in both England and Scotland were managing budget contraction and, in particular, how decisions and strategies were affecting the poorest households and places. The research project analysed nationally available data and undertook detailed and in-depth research at the case study councils in Newcastle, Coventry and Milton Keynes, as well as Renfrewshire to provide a Scottish perspective to their analysis and research.
A key focus of the case study work had been to assess the cumulative impact of cuts across a range of services on particular groups and places. The final report, published on 11th March, 2015, a copy of which formed the appendix to the report, aimed to present a picture of how local government had tackled austerity. The report detailed the key messages and observations emerging from the research.
Councillor Holmes, seconded by Councillor M Macmillan, moved that the report be noted.
Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Andy Doig, moved as an amendment that the recommendation be replaced with:
“Council notes the report, and the recognition that the actions of the SNP Scottish Government and the previous SNP led administration has minimised the impact of the cuts imposed by the Westminster Government in comparison to English local authorities. These actions have contributed significantly to Renfrewshire Council’s ability to carry out the preventative work noted in the report.
Council condemns the British political alliance between Labour and the Tories on financing a new generation of nuclear weapons at the expense of eradicating poverty, supports the economics of prosperity against austerity. Council will welcome the election of a strong bloc of SNP MP’s at the forthcoming general election, as part of a progressive alliance in the House of Commons, as the most effective route to alleviating poverty in Renfrewshire.”
On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Perrie, McEwan, Lawson, Mylet, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, Mack, McGee, Andy Doig, Audrey Doig, Noon, McQuade and Nicolson.
The following members voted for the motion: Councillors B Brown, Murrin, M Devine, Grady, J Sharkey, M Sharkey, Kelly, Williams, E Devine, Glen, Henry, M Macmillan, McCartin, Caldwell, Hood, I McMillan, Bibby, Gilmour, Provost Hall, Councillors Holmes, J MacLaren, Harte and Mullin.
13 members having voted for the amendment and 23 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.
DECIDED: That the report be noted.