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There was submitted a report by the Treasurer relative to the revenue estimates for the Joint Board including the requisition of constituent authorities for the financial year 2018/19 and indicative planning figures for 2019/20 and 2020/21.
The report intimated that the financial environment in which the Joint Board and constituent authorities operated continued to be characterised by significant demand and cost pressures, compounded by reducing levels of government grant support. The Scottish Budget and local government settlement announced on 14 December 2017 again reflected a revenue grant cut for local authorities and was for a single year only, adding some uncertainty to financial forecasts. However, it was recognised that over the medium-term, local government in Scotland was likely to face further contraction in available resources, relating predominantly to the provision of revenue grant from the Scottish Government. In this context, the Joint Board would continue to seek operational savings to ensure financial sustainability.
Following the introduction of Individual Electoral Registration in 2014/15, the Cabinet Office had provided funding for any additional costs incurred as a result of additional duties undertaken during the lifetime of this Parliament. However, this funding was diminishing and the Joint Board may have to apply on an annual basis should there be any costs not met from the Cabinet Office’s initial allocation through a Justification Led Bid in the January of each financial year.
The report proposed that the overall requisition levels be £2,222,700 which was a 3% increase against 2017/18 requisition levels. The budget had been constructed on the basis of assumptions detailed in the report. The allocation of the requisition amongst the constituent authorities would be based on the percentage proportions of the Grant Aided Expenditure (GAE) as detailed in the report.
Appendix 1 to the report detailed the revenue estimates 2018/19 to 2020/21 for the Joint Board and the requisitions for constituent authorities were detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.
DECIDED:
(a) That the 2018/19 revenue estimates, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, and the requisitions for constituent authorities, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved;
(b) That the utilisation of balances during 2018/19, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved;
(c) That the indicative estimates for 2019/20 and 2020/21 be noted; and
(d) That the constituent authorities be notified of the requisitions required for 2018/19.