Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were intimated by Councillors Mary Jean-Devon, Duncan MacIntyre, James Robb and William Marshall, Teacher Representative.

The Head of Governance and Law advised that he had received advance intimation from Councillor James McQueen that whilst he had a non financial interest in Dunoon Boxing Club he did not regard it as significant at this time but would keep the matter under review. Councillor McQueen confirmed that was his position and then Councillors Aileen Morton and Roddy McCuish gave an indication of a non financial interest which they did not regard as significant in respect of pitch charges.

Argyll and Bute Council 22 January 2015

The Minutes of Argyll and Bute Council of 22 January 2015 were approved as a correct record.

Policy and Resources Committee 5 February 2015 (to follow)

The Minutes of the Policy and Resources Committee of 5 February 2015 were noted:-

 

It was agreed that items 5, 6 & 8 of the minute would be dealt with as part of the planning and budget pack 2015-16.

The Provost ruled, and the Council agreed, that the business as dealt with at item 8 of this minute be taken as a matter of urgency by reason of the need to give the Scottish Government a response by the end of this week.

 

The Provost adjourned the meeting at 11.20am and re-convened at 11.35am.

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

The Council considered the Strategic Risk Register which is updated on a live basis and is formally reviewed twice yearly.

 

Decision

 

The Council noted the content of the updated Strategic Risk Register.

 

(Ref: Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 5 February 2015, submitted)

a)    Pack 1 Service Plans

b)    Pack 2 Revenue Budget 2015-16

Following the Leader’s Budget speech the Provost presented a quaich to Bruce West, Head of Strategic Finance who was leaving the Council.

 

The Council considered the Corporate and Service Plans, Revenue Budget and Capital Budget papers as contained within the Budget Pack; considered such other appropriate resolutions in relation to these papers and fixed the Council Tax for the year to 31 March 2016.

 

Motion

 

To approve the Service Plans for 2015-16 as set down within the budget pack.

 

To note the Revenue Budget monitoring position as at 31 December 2014.

 

To approve the Revenue Budget for 2015-16 as set out in the Revenue Budget overview as at December 2014.

 

To approve the Service Review and 3 year funding provision of £70,000 for advice service to both Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau and Bute Advice Centre as set down in paragraph 3.10.2  in the Revenue Budget Overview report.

 

To request that the Chief Executive brings forward a report on the structure of the Economic Development function and resources to support the outcomes for economic growth as set out in the SOA.

 

To appoint Councillor Ellen Morton, Depute Leader to the Argyll and Bute Sustainable Economic Forum.

 

To note that funding requests have been received from Kilmartin House Museum, Auchindrain Museum, Dunoon Boxing Club and Kintyre Way and that it is proposed to carry out a detailed assessment of each of these requests in relation to impact, financial deliverability, sustainability of proposals, financial capability of the promoters, governance issues and the risks/ deliverability of the proposals. Reports will be brought forward once all of the information necessary to complete such an analysis is available. This will allow members to consider these proposals in the context of the Single Outcome Agreement, the financial commitment required and risk of deliverability.

 

To approve the proposals for fees and charges and resulting increase in income as set out in the report on fees and charges.

 

To approve the introduction of a common charging policy for letting full size all weather pitches and  the alteration to a phased approach to letting charges as set down in appendix 1 in the report before members.

 

To note the financial risks analysis as set down in the Revenue Budget pack.

To approve the contingency level for General Fund Reserves at a level of 1.5% equivalent to £3.658m and to note the report on Reserves and Balances.

 

To approve the revenue estimates for 2015-16 and that consequently the local tax requirement estimated at £40.900m is funded from Council Tax.

 

To approve the following rates and charges for the year:-

·         Council Tax to be paid in respect of a chargeable dwelling in band “D” of £1178 (representing no change)

·         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)

·         Business Rates as determined by Scottish Ministers.

Moved by Councillor Walsh, seconded by Councillor E Morton.

 

Amendment

 

The Council:

 

A Service Plans

 

Approves the service plans subject to any adjustments arising from consideration of the revenue and capital budgets.

 

B Revenue Budget 2015-16

 

1.    Approves the revenue budget as set out in the revenue budget overview at December 2014 including the provisions for inflation and cost and demand pressures as set out in the report subject to these being updated to reflect the relevant points of the other decisions taken at this meeting.

 

2.    Notes the existing delegation to officers given in November 2013 in respect of the 1% efficiency savings for 2015-16.

 

3.    Approves the fees and charges as set out in the report on fees and charges.

 

4.    Notes the budget monitoring position as at 31 December 2014.

 

5.    Notes the financial risks analysis and the monitoring process in place.

 

6.    Notes the report on reserves and balances and approves the contingency level for the General Fund Reserve at a level of 1.5% equivalent of £3.658M.

 

7.    Notes the free General Fund Balance of £9.811M available for the deliver of the Single Outcome Agreement and in support of the objectives therein earmarks the following in reserves:-

 

                      i.        A sum equivalent to £100 per registered pupil at the start of January 2015 term to be allocated to each Argyll and Bute Council school pro rata to the school roll at that date, subject to a minimum allocation per school of £2,000, at an estimated cost of £1.087M, but which does not result in a recurring expenditure.

                     ii.        These funds to be held in a new fund, the Schools Premium Fund.

                    iii.        The funds to be available to be drawn down by Head Teachers to support the outcomes of the educational objectives of the Single Outcome Agreement within their schools anytime within the next 5 years.

                    iv.        Notes the remaining Free General Fund Balance of £8.724M.

 

8.    Approves the revenue estimates for 2015-16 and that consequently the local tax requirement estimated at £40.90M is funded from Council Tax.

 

9.    Approves the following rates and charges for the year:

 

                      i.        Council Tax to be paid in respect of a chargeable dwelling in Band “D” of £1.178 (representing no change)

                     ii.        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).

                    iii.        Business Rates as determined by Scottish Ministers.

 

The Council:

 

1.    Agrees the following Charges for the hire of Synthetic Pitches per hour exclusive of VAT (Standard/Concession)

 

	2015/16	2016/17	2017/18	2018/19
	Full/Concession	Full/Concession	Full/Concession	Full/Concession
Oban	£40.00/£20.00	£40.00/£20.00	£40.00/£20.00	£40.00/£20.00
Campbeltown	£40.00/£20.00	£40.00/£20.00	£40.00/£20.00	£40.00/£20.00
Lochgilphead	£40.00/£20.00	£40.00/£20.00	£40.00/£20.00	£40.00/£20.00
Helensburgh	£30.00/£15.00	£33.34/£16.67	£36.66/£18.33	£40.00/£20.00
Dunoon	£30.00/£15.00	£33.34/£16.67	£36.66/£18.33	£40.00/£20.00
Rothesay	£30.00/£15.00	£33.34/£16.67	£36.66/£18.33	£40.00/£20.00

 

a)    Minimum hire one hour, additional time in 30 minute blocks pro-rata.

b)    Prices include changing and floodlights where applicable.

c)    1/2 pitch charged at 60% of above in 2015/16.

d)    1/3 pitch charged at 40% of above  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Report by Head of Strategic Finance

The Council considered a report on the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy which set out the strategy for borrowing and investment for the year.

 

Decision

 

The Council approved the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy 2015/16.

 

(Ref: Report by Head of Strategic Finance dated 28 January 2015, submitted)

 

 

The Council resolved in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that it was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 11 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A to the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973.

 

The Provost adjourned the meeting at 1.05pm and re-convened at 1.10pm.

The Council considered a report which provided advice on the discussion between the Scottish Government and CoSLA with regard to the inclusion of a commitment to maintain teacher numbers and the ratio of teachers: pupils as part of the financial settlement to local government for 2015-16.

 

Decision

 

The Council agreed the recommendations as contained within the submitted report.

 

 (Ref: Report by Executive Director of Community Services dated 8 February 2015, tabled)