Policy and Strategy Committee

Monday 6 March 2000 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Blair, Calvert, Jackson, McGhee, Mitchell, Morrison (M), O'Rourke, Rebecchi, Robertson (A) and Robertson (Y).

Chair:  Councillor Jackson presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Depute Chief Executive, Director of Community & Protective Services, Director of Education Services, Director of Information Services, Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Resource Services and Director of Social Work & Housing Services.

Apologies:  Councillor Mulholland.

210

Revenue and Capital Budgets 2000/2001 Onwards

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There were submitted reports dated 1 March and 29 February 2000 by the Director of Resource Services and the Chief Executive respectively advising that in order to comply with Government guideline expenditure a gap of between £2,758,000 (2.15%) and £1,550,000 (1.21%) would require to be addressed, requesting the Committee to determine the Revenue Budget and level of Council Tax on this basis, taking account of decisions by the Policy and Strategy Committee and unavoidable external factors and to consider recommendations made by the Corporate Management Team regarding the Capital Programme.

(Provost Roach and Councillor Blair entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Councillor Jackson indicated that it was the intention of the Majority Group to set the Revenue Budget 2000/2001 based on the maximum guideline figure 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's Revenue Budget for 2000/2001 be set at the guideline of £125,434,000 plus the £858,000 guideline flexibility plus £350,000 in total from additional Poll Tax/Council Tax income;

(4) that savings and adjustments totalling £1,108,782 as detailed on the statement circulated to the Committee (Appendix 1) be implemented it being noted that the employee cost savings assumed also take account of absorbing the cost of Single Status;

(5) that the development and contingency fund of £270,232 created be used to supplement existing provision as follows:-

(a) flood prevention measures £100,000;

(b) improvements in roads and lighting maintenance £100,000;

(c) fly tipping prevention and other litter prevention and collection measures £50,000;

(d) general contingency £20,232;

(6) that appropriate officers enter into discussions as soon as possible with a view to transferring bowling greens to community ownership and any savings achieved be added to the development/contingency fund;

(7) that appropriate officers enter into discussions as soon as possible with Port Glasgow Juniors regarding facilities required and the current support from the Council and any savings achieved be added to the development /contingency fund;

(8) that the Garden Tidy service be revamped and that an improved level of service be provided - 7 grass cuts and 2 hedge cuts at an approximate cost of £200,000.  The cost in respect of Council tenants will be recharged to the Housing Revenue Account and other costs will be met by levying a charge to private owners not on Income Support.  To meet any uncharged element the use of other budgets is to be investigated by officers and a full report provided to the Committee as soon as possible;

(9) that a review of branch libraries take place and a report thereon be presented to Committee as soon as possible;

(10) that action be taken to persuade Council Tax payers and rent payers to use methods other than Girobank, because of the cost of that particular service, by utilising  existing Council facilities, other methods including co-operation with the banks and that any savings achieved be added to the development/contingency fund;

(11) that a Grants Officer be appointed to work with Council services and the community to raise funds for voluntary organisations, it being anticipated that considerable sums could be attracted to support the valuable work carried out by the voluntary sector;

(12) that the draft Capital Programme over the next three years totalling £23,431,000 be approved and that reports be submitted to the appropriate Service Committees as soon as possible to progress works; and

(13) that the level of Band D Council Tax for 2000/2001 be set at £933, an increase of 5%, which will involve use of balances of approximately £1,302,000.

Decided: that the motion as detailed above be approved.