POLICY AND STRATEGY COMMITTEE (SPECIAL)

 

MONDAY 1 MARCH 1999 - 3.00 pm

 

Present:-  Provost Allan, Councillors Calvert, Clocherty, Morrison (M), O'Rourke, Jackson, McGhee, Robertson (Y), Sir Simpson Stevenson, Mitchell and Finnie, Councillor Jackson, Vice-Convener, in the Chair.

 

In Attendance:-  The Chief Executive, the Depute Chief Executive, the Executive Director Legal, Information and Support Services, the Executive Director Community and Protective Services, the Executive Director Resource Services, the Executive Director Education Services, the Director of Central Services, the Director of Personnel Services, the Director of Transportation and Roads, Mr F Williamson (Chief Planning Officer), the Head of Property Services and the Head of Cleaning Services.

 

An apology for absence was intimated on behalf of Councillor Mulholland.

 

   253      REVENUE BUDGET 1999/2000                                                                                                            253

 

SUBMITTED:  Reports dated 24 February and 23 February 1999 by the Executive Director Resource Services and the Chief Executive respectively confirming that savings in base budget expenditure totalling at least £4,076,000 would be required to permit the Council’s Revenue Budget to be set in compliance with the Government guideline and consequently, requesting the Committee to determine the level of Council Tax on this basis taking account of other factors affecting the budget as detailed in reports considered at the Special Meeting of the Committee on 17 February 1999 (para 187).

Councillor Jackson indicated that it was the intention of the Majority Group to set the Revenue Budget 1999/2000 based on the maximum guideline figure possible and to set the level of Band D Council Tax within the 5% limit set by the Government and, accordingly, moved as follows:-

1.     That strict budgetary control be implemented on a corporate basis as part of the corporate and strategic plans of the Council;

2.     That Committees and services exercise strict control over their budgets and that, if agreed savings cannot be found, other savings must be achieved, subject to the approval of the appropriate spending Committee;

3.     That the Council agree in principle that a Leisure Trust be established, incorporating swimming pools and sports and recreation facilities within Inverclyde, and that a comprehensive report be submitted to Committee at the earliest possible date; and

4.     That there be a review of the Common Good Fund, including:

        (a)  the use of the Fund;

        (b)  the potential use of existing Fund balances; and

        (c)  options for supplementing the Fund by transfers from existing revenue balances and by transferring to the Fund other commercial property.

As an amendment, Councillor Finnie moved that the proposals be not approved.  On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 8 for the motion which was declared carried.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the motion as detailed above be approved; and

(b)  That the reports be otherwise noted.