Decision details

The Committee gave consideration to a report providing an update to the budget outlook covering the period 2024-25 to 2028-29, previously reported to the Policy and Resources Committee on 12 October 2023.

Decision

The Policy and Resources Committee –

1.     noted the current estimated budget outlook position for the period 2024-25 to 2028-29;

2.     agreed to recommend to Council that the utilities budgets are right sized by utilising £0.936m of the £1.4m contingency that was set aside for inflationary increases as part of the 2023-24 budget setting process;

3.     agreed to recommend to Council that the shortfall in the teachers pay award funding is met by utilising £0.080m of the £1.4m contingency that was set aside for inflationary increases as part of the 2023-24 budget setting process; and

4.     noted that Argyll and Bute Council were selected as a Scottish Local Authority for a Levelling Up Partnership (LUP) with the UK Government and will therefore receive up to £20 million to address specific local challenges and opportunities.

(Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 7 November 2023, submitted)