Agenda and minutes

Argyll and Bute Council - Thursday, 11 February 2010 11:30 am

Venue: Council Chamber, Kilmory, Lochgilphead

Contact: Sandra McGlynn Tel: 01546 604401

Items

No.

Item

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were intimated from Councillors Currie, Kinniburgh, McCuish, McNaughton and Mulvaney.

DEPUTATIONS

Consider requests for deputations to be heard in connection with item 5 (Corporate and Service Planning/Revenue Budget) of this Agenda and if so resolved hear the deputations.

a) On behalf of the Learning Disability Alliance Scotland and;

b) On behalf of Neighbourhood Networks.

Minutes:

The Council heard a deputation on behalf of the Learning Disability Alliance Scotland who spoke in connection with the proposal relating to disability learning coordinators which is dealt with at item 5 of these minutes.

The Council heard a deputation on behalf of Neighbourhood Networks who spoke in connection with the proposal regarding neighbourhood network services in Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the Islands and Oban, Lorn and the Isles which is dealt with at item 5 of these minutes.

The Council also received petitions from the two deputations, and in connection with matters dealt with at item 5 regarding Castlehill After School Club, and Cairndow Community Child Care.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Minutes:

Councillors Horn and Morton each declared a non financial interest in relation to specific elements of the estimates of expenditure which is dealt with at item 5 of this minute by reason of being Members of the Boards of Homestart and Stramash respectively. The Councillors claimed the benefit of the dispensation contained at paragraph 111 of the Standards Commission’s Guidance and Dispensations Note dated April 2007 to enable them to speak and vote.

MINUTES PDF 55 KB

Argyll and Bute Council 12 January 2010

Minutes:

The Council approved the Minutes of the Council Meeting of 21 January 2010 as a correct record.

CORPORATE AND SERVICE PLANNING/REVENUE BUDGET PDF 108 KB

To consider and approve Corporate and Service Plans, estimates of expenditure and income, and fix the Council Tax for the year to 31 March 2011 and pass such other resolutions as the Council considers appropriate in relation to the following:-

A Corporate Planning

Strategic Risk Register 2010 (Pack 2) (Pages 5-16 )

Corporate Plan 2010 – 13 and beyond (Pack 2) (Pages 17-34)

Draft Area Plans 2010 – 13 for noting (Pack 2) (Pages 35-84)

B Financial Planning

Revenue Budget Overview (Pack 1) Section 1 (Pages 1-30)

Reserves and Balances (Pack 2) (to follow)

Fees and Charges (Pack 2) (Pages )

C Service Plans, Service Reviews and Budgets 2010-13

1. Service Plans

Chief Executive (Pack 1) Section 2 (Pages 103-132)

Community Services (Pack 1) Section 2 (Pages 133-222)

Corporate Services (Pack 1) Section 2 (Pages 223-274)

Development Services (Pack 1) Section 2 (Pages 275-318)

Please note that the following Pages in Pack 2 *** to *** replace Pages 285-294 of Pack 1 and Pages *** to *** replace Pages 297-316 of Pack 1

Operational Services (Pack 1) Section 2 (Pages 319-364)

2. Service Reviews

Community Services – Education (Pack 1) Section 3 (Pages 367-410)

Corporate Services – Democratic Services and Governance (Pack 1) Section 3 (Pages 411-420)

Corporate Services – Legal and Protective Services (Pack 1) Section 3 (Pages 421-435)

Development Services – Public Transport (Pack 1) Section 3 (Pages 437-456)

Operational Services – Waste Management (Pack 1) Section 3 (Pages 457-492)

Operational Services – Roads Operations (Pack 1) Section 3 (Pages 493-615)

Additional documents:

Corp Plan 2010 - draft v11 , item 5. PDF 518 KB
B&C , item 5. PDF 674 KB
H&L , item 5. PDF 578 KB
MAKI , item 5. PDF 743 KB
OLI , item 5. PDF 157 KB
There are a further 5 documents.View the full list of documents for item 5.

Minutes:

In terms of Standing Order 11.10 the Leader of the SNP Group gave notice that the Group whip had been applied to Members of the Group to vote to approve the terms of the Motion by the Leader of the Council which the Council considered at this item.

The Executive had referred for consideration by the Council today, all matters concerning Corporate and Service Plans, Revenue Budget 2010/11, fixing the Council Tax; and any other related matters.

The Council considered the reports, plans and related paperwork included in the budget packs, together with Equality Impact Assessment reports in connection with the provision of respite services at Fyneview, Learning Disability Coordinator posts and neighbourhood network services.

Decision

The Council resolved as follows:-

Corporate and Service Planning and Revenue Budget

A	Corporate, Service and Area Planning
	1	Noted that the risks included in the Strategic Risk Register have been identified as potential areas which may impact on the delivery of strategic objectives and that these have been used to develop a risk based approach to Corporate and Service Plans
	2	Noted that the Planning and Budgeting process has been set in the context of the Council’s Planning and Performance Management Framework within an ongoing Best Value Improvement and Development approach.
	3	Adopted the Corporate Plan 2010-13 and beyond setting out the Council’s vision for Argyll and Bute and its high level strategic objectives and outcomes
	4	Noted the Area Plans as a valuable contribution to the planning and performance management process
B	Service Plans, Service Reviews and Revenue Budget 2010/11-2012/13
	Service Plans
	1	Approved the Service Plans including Outcomes, Cost and Demand Pressures and Savings Proposals, and the related Estimates of Expenditure and Income, and the Service Review reports all as contained in the budget packs, subject to them being updated to reflect the relevant points of any decisions that the Council takes relating to the finalisation of the Revenue Budget 2010/11, and subject to the adjustments at Appendix 1
	2	Levies charges for services in 2010/11 by increasing these by 2% in place of the 1.5% set out in the report by the Head of Strategic Finance, subject to rounding adjustments, and otherwise as recommended in that report or in individual Service Plans
	Reserves and Balances
	3	Maintains a General Contingency of £3.971m which is equivalent to 1.5% of the forecast 2010/11 revenue budget
	Estimates of Income and Expenditure
	4	Noted the levels of aggregate external finance (AEF) set out in the Revenue Budget Summary report by the Head of Strategic Finance
	5	Makes provision for central commitments in respect of joint boards, loan charges, elected members and sundry services as set out in the Revenue Budget Summary report by the Head of Strategic Finance
	6	Noted the indicative budgets for 2011/12 and 2012/13
C	Council Tax
	1	Approved the revenue estimates for 2010/11 adjusted accordingly and that consequently the local tax requirement estimated at £44.3m is funded from Council Tax.
	2	Levies the following rates and charges for the year 2010/11
		a	a Council Tax to be paid in respect of a chargeable dwelling in Band “D” of £1178 (representing no change)
		b	a Council Tax to be paid in respect of a chargeable dwelling in each of the other valuation bands in accordance with Section 74(1) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (accordingly representing no change)
		c	Business Rates as determined by Scottish Ministers.
D	Additional Decisions
	1	That a full review of grant funding arrangements is undertaken and a report presented to the Executive
	2	That the Council notes the Equality Impact Assessment reports in respect of Fyneview respite care provision, Disability Learning Coordinators, and Neighbourhood Networks, and acknowledges that in making decisions to include or not include provision in its estimates of expenditure, giving effect to such decisions in practical terms may require further processes of examination and the Council acknowledges that it will be prepared to consider any matter that may be brought before them as a result.

STRATEGIC HOUSING INVESTMENT PLAN - 2009 PDF 37 KB

Extract from the Executive 27 January 2010 (Pages *** to ***)

Report by the Director of Community Services previously circulated with the Executive Agenda for 27 January 2010.

Minutes:

The Executive had recommended that the Council approve the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan which has to be submitted to the Scottish Government’s Housing Investment Division on an annual basis as part of the Local Housing Strategy process.

Decision

The Council approved the draft Strategic Housing Investment Plan.

(Ref: Extract by the Executive of 28 January 2010 and report by the Director of Community Services submitted to the Executive)

REVIEW OF COUNCILLORS CODE OF CONDUCT PDF 76 KB

Report by Director of Corporate Services

Additional documents:

code of conduct Appendix B , item 7. PDF 2 MB

Minutes:

The Council considered a report by the Director of Corporate Services which set out comments on the proposals by the Scottish Government to amend the Councillors Code of Conduct. The response to the proposals to be submitted to the Scottish Government by 18 February 2010.

Decision

The Council approved the terms of the response as outlined at Appendix A to the report.

(Ref: Report by the Director of Corporate Services dated 26 January 2010, submitted)

Appendix 1

Page	Service Area	Description		£000s
Savings Not Accepted or Adjusted				£ not taken
Page 147	Local Disability		Proposed reduction of Learning Disability Coordinator posts – accept 50% only	88
Page 169	Surestart		Saving proposal not accepted	50
Page 170	Children Affected by a Disability		Saving proposal not accepted	50
Page 170	Youth Crime		Proposed reduction in SACRO service – accept 50% only	22
Page 183	Community Learning & Sport and Physical Recreation		(1) Proposed reductions in education and leisure development grants not accepted (2) that the Council rationalise these two grant streams and the social welfare development grant stream into one, with applications being determined by Area Committees (3) that £60k of the total budget allocation is redirected to support Events and Festival Programmes with applications for support being determined by Area Committees (4) in relation to points (2) and (3) that a detailed report on implementation is brought before the Executive.	£50
Page 183	Sport and Physical Activity		Proposed reduction of Council contribution to Stramash not accepted	12
Page 220	Housing Support		Proposal to cease neighbourhood network services not accepted	109
Page 239	Three Islands Partnership		Savings proposal of £54K not accepted and that officers examine with the relevant community groups options for arriving at a sustainable long term solution	54
Page 314	School and Public Transport		Walking distances to school – reduce saving by £20k to provide targeted road safety campaign	20
Page 314	School and Public Transport		Reduction in discretionary grants savings proposal restricted to £85k – no saving to be taken in respect of Red Cross transport scheme	15
Page 336	Mothballing Campbeltown Hall		Saving of £6k not accepted on the basis that the hall is mothballed from 1 November 2010 to enable a sustainable use to be identified, and that a report is brought to the Executive	6
Page 357	Streetscene		Helensburgh Beach Cleaning proposed saving not accepted	10
Page 359	Roads operations		Purchase of 2 Jetpatchers – accept efficiency saving and reinvest in roads maintenance	50

Additional savings				£ taken
	Balance of Budget for Fyneview Saving			45
	Uncommitted FAB/FSF funding			126
	Care Home fees – effective inflation provision based on COSLA rate of 2%			40
Additional Income
	Increase fees and charges by 2%			200
Additional Provision
	Local Government Employees – provision for pay award			271
Other Adjustments
Page 203	Secondary Education		Librarians and Technicians - while accepting the saving of £60k the Council agrees an addition of 5 working days beyond term time noting that current budget provision exists for this