250226 Council Minute
North Ayrshire Council · 26 March 2025
Back to North Ayrshire Council — 26 March 2025 and its agenda
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North Ayrshire Council 26 February 2025 At a Special Meeting of North Ayrshire Council at 2.00 p.m. involving a combination of participation by remote electronic means and physical attendance within the Council Chambers, Irvine. Present (Physical Participation) Nairn Angus-McDonald, John Bell, Marie Burns, Eleanor Collier, Joe Cullinane, Charles Currie, Scott Davidson, Anthea Dickson, Stewart Ferguson, Todd Ferguson, Robert Foster, Scott Gallacher, Tony Gurney, Alan Hill, Mary Hume, Cameron Inglis, Margaret Johnson, Christina Larsen, Shaun Macaulay, Tom Marshall, Jean McClung, Louise McLaughlan, Matthew McLean, Davina McTiernan, Jim Montgomerie, Ian Murdoch, Donald Reid, Chloé Robertson, Ronnie Stalker, Angela Stephen and John Sweeney. Present (Remote Electronic Participation) Amanda Kerr and Donald L. Reid In Attendance C. Hatton, Chief Executive; C. Cameron, Director (Health and Social Care Partnership); D. Hammond, Executive Director; S. Anson, Executive Director (Education), Russell McCutcheon, Executive Director (Place); M. Boyd, Head of Service, D. Forbes, Senior Manager, N. Graham, Team Manager, K. MacDonald, Team Manager, A. Dunsmore, Team Manager (Finance); F. Walker, Head of Service (People and ICT); A. Craig, Head of Service (Democratic), R. Lynch, Senior Manager (Legal Services); M. McColm, Senior Manager (Communications), C. Stewart and S. Wilson, Committee Services Officers, and H. Young, Senior Committee Services Officer (Democratic) (Corporate Services). Chair Provost Dickson in the Chair. 1. Provost's Remarks The Provost welcomed those present to the Special Budget setting meeting and dealt with preliminary matters, including the process for conducting the meeting and intimation that the meeting, which was taking place on a hybrid basis, was being recorded. 2. Apologies There were no apologies for absence. 3. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest in terms of Standing Order 11 and Section 5 of the Councillors' Code of Conduct. There were no declarations of the Party Whip.
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4. Council Budget Engagement Petitions Submitted report by the Head of Service (Democratic) on the outcome of consideration by Cabinet and the Audit & Scrutiny Committee of the following five petitions relating to possible Council Budget Options: Petition 1 - Save Saltcoats and Ardrossan Libraries from Budget Cuts Petition 2 - Possible parking charge enforcement in Kilwinning Petition 3 - Possible closure of Dreghorn Library Petition 4 - Proposed closure of Beith Library Petition 5 - Proposal to cut the Eglinton Park rangers service and closure of the community garden The Monitoring Officer advised that there were no budget proposals relating to Saltcoats and Ardrossan, Dreghorn and Beith Libraries and parking charge enforcement in Kilwinning. The Monitoring Officer outlined the terms of the petition on the proposal to cut the Ranger Service based at Eglinton Park, the points raised by the principal spokespersons on their objections to the proposal and provided clarification that the Country Park status would remain if the ranger service was lost. The Council agreed to consider the report as part of the budget setting process for the coming year. 5. General Services Revenue Estimates 2025/26 to 2027/28 Submitted report by the Head of Service (Finance) on the Council's revenue spending requirements and anticipated funding for 2025/26 to 2027/28, the level of reserves and fund balances held by the Council, and options to address the funding gap. Appendices 1 and 2 to the report set out the revised expenditure requirements for 2025/26 and operational budget adjustments, respectively. Savings approved as part of the 2024/25 revenue budget and the expenditure requirements identified for 2025/26 to 2027/28, were detailed at Appendices 3 and 4. Appendix 5 summarised proposed savings, excluding the Health and Social Care Partnership, and Appendix 6 contained a list of proposed charges with effect from 1 April 2025. The budget matrix for 2025/26 was set out at Appendix 7 to the report. Councillor Kerr joined the meeting at this point. The Provost invited the Administration to move its budget proposals.
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Councillor Larsen, seconded by Councillor Burns, moved as follows: “That Council supports the recommendations set out in the report, subject to the following amendments: a) New non-recurring investment of £325,000 to support the exploration of a wellbeing enterprise hub at the current Greenwood conference centre site in 2025/26. b) Increase Council tax in 2025/26 by 0.5% to 7.5%, generating a further £325,000 recurring income. c) Remove the following recurring saving from consideration for 2025/26: • Review of services at Eglinton park - £76,000 d) Roads / Streetscene enforcement activities - Merge the 2 activities to create a multi skilled enforcement activity and deliver a saving of 2 FTE posts in 2025/26 - £50,000 e) Accelerate £26,000 of planned savings from 2026/27 into 2025/26 in respect of the review of KA leisure services. This does not change the overall level of planned savings, but the profile of the savings associated with the review.” Thereafter, Councillor Cullinane, seconded by Councillor Bell, moved an amendment as follows: “That Council agrees to set the level of Council tax increase at 9.05% and supports the recommendations set out in the report, subject to the amendments noted below; a) Remove the following ‘cuts’ a. Teacher numbers b. School Crossing Patrollers c. Music Service d. Eglinton Park Total: £1,381,000 b) Propose the following ‘savings’ a. Enforcement activities – merge the 2 teams Total: £50,000 c) Remove the financial target of £325,000 in 2026/27 for the Review of KA Leisure Reviews to enable a proper review of services d) Remove £4m non-recurring money for the ‘Change programme’ e) Deliver on last year’s capital amendment with £4million investment shared between the electoral wards with no planned future capital investment
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(distribution to be agreed by a report to Council): a. Kilwinning b. Saltcoats and Stevenston c. Garnock Valley d. Arran. “ Councillor S Ferguson left the meeting during consideration of this item of business. Thereafter, Councillor Inglis, seconded by Councillor Gallacher, moved the following amendment: “That Council supports the recommendations set out in the report, subject to the following amendments: Non-Recurring Funds a) Reduce funding from the Council’s current earmarked funds for 2025/26 as follows: • Reduce Tree planting fund £371,000 • Reduce Energy smart fund £1,000,000 • Community Asset transfer start-up fund £200,000 b) Increase investment for 2025/26 in the following areas: • Additional Roads Investment £1,000,000 • Additional Streetscene investment £571,000 Recurring Funds c) Apply the following recurring savings: • Review of Facilities management staffing structure in Homes for young people - £70,000 • Proposal to deliver a further 5% reduction across school / early years cleaning budgets. The overall reduction now being 10% - £95,000 • Review provision of Area Inclusion workers and reduce the number of posts by 6 FTE based on an August 2025 implementation - £139,000 • Review the current Community Learning and Development provision with a reduction in 10 posts across the service and based on a 16 week lead in time for implementation in 2025 - £346,000 d) Reduce the level of council tax increase by 1% from 7% to 6% - £650,000.” Thereafter, Councillor McLean advised that the Reform UK Group would not propose an amendment to the report and that their dissent to the budget outcome should be noted.
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Members then asked questions of clarification on the following: • further detail on the implications of point (a) of Councillor Larsen’s motion on the wellbeing enterprise hub at Greenwood conference centre given the decision that Greenwood conference centre was surplus to requirements as part of the Irvine property review; and • further detail on the number of posts held in the Community Learning and Development Team referred to in point (c) of Councillor Inglis’ amendment and the percentage of the team the loss of 10 posts would represent At the invitation of the Provost, the Chief Executive provided clarification that a report was taken to Cabinet on the outcome of the marketing exercise for Greenwood Conference Centre, a decision was taken by the administration with the call-in period for that decision ended and was now a decision for Council. A further question in respect of the Community Learning and Development proposal was not permitted by the Provost as it did not constitute a question of clarification. In terms of Standing Order 6.8, the Provost agreed that the meeting be adjourned at 2.55 p.m. to allow Members to consider the motion and amendments. The meeting reconvened at 3.40 p.m. with the same Members and officers present and in attendance, with the exception of Councillors S Ferguson and McLean. In terms of Standing Order 16.7, the Provost sought clarification as to whether the mover and seconder of the motion or any amendment wished to alter or withdraw their motion or amendment. Councillor Larsen, with the agreement of her seconder, intimated that she wished to alter her motion to read as follows: “That the Council agrees to a 7% increase in Council tax for 2025/26 and supports the recommendations set out in the report, subject to the following amendments: Recurring Funds a) Remove the following recurring saving from consideration for 2025/26: • Review of services at Eglinton park - £76,000 b) Roads / Streetscene enforcement activities - Merge the 2 activities to create a multi skilled enforcement activity and deliver a saving of 2 FTE posts in 2025/26 - £50,000 c) Accelerate £26,000 of planned savings from 2026/27 into 2025/26 in respect of the review of KA leisure services. This does not change the overall level of planned savings but changes the profile of the savings associated with the review. Non-Recurring Funds d) Re-allocate funds from the Tree planting fund - £100,000
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e) Re-allocate funds from the Energy smart fund - £750,000 f) Re-allocate funds from the Community Asset Transfer Start up Fund - £200,000 g) New additional investment in the roads infrastructure in 2025/26 - £500,000 h) New additional investment in the Streetscene service in 2025/26 - £250,000 i) New non-recurring investment of £300,000 to support the exploration of a wellbeing enterprise hub at the current Greenwood conference centre site in 2025/26.” In terms of Standing Order 16.5, Councillor, Inglis, with agreement of seconder, intimated the withdrawal of his amendment. The Executive Director (Communities and Housing) provided clarification that the number of posts currently held within the Community Learning and Development team was 34. Members then asked questions of clarification of the movers of the motion and received clarification on the following: • further detail on the purpose of a wellbeing enterprise hub referred to in point (i) of Councillor Larsen’s motion; and • whether the ranger service at Eglinton Park, referred to in point (a) of Councillor Larsen’s motion would be retained; On a point of order, Councillor Cullinane advised that standing orders do not allow for inaccurate statements to be made. There followed debate and summing up. Thereafter, on a division and roll call vote, there voted for the motion, Councillors Burns, Collier, Davidson, Dickson, T. Ferguson, Gallacher, Gurney, Hill, Inglis, Johnson, Larsen, Macaulay, Marshall, McClung, McTiernan, Robertson, Stalker and Stephen (18) and for the amendment, Councillors Angus-McDonald, Bell, Cullinane, Currie, Foster, Hume, Kerr, McLaughlan, Montgomerie, D. Reid, D.L. Reid and Sweeney (12), Councillor Murdoch abstaining and the motion, as revised, was declared carried. Accordingly, the Council agreed as follows: a) to note the anticipated funding available to meet the Council’s expenditure requirements and the areas of ongoing financial risk to the Council; b) to approve the Council's expenditure requirements for 2025/26 and notes the indicative requirements for 2026/27 and 2027/28;
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c) to approve the new strategic investments and risk provision outlined in section 2.7.2 of the report, subject to: i) the reallocation of £100,000 from the tree planting fund ii) the reallocation of £750,000 from the energy smart fund iii) the reallocation of £200,000 from the Community Asset Transfer start up fund iv) additional investment of £500,000 in the Roads infrastructure in 2025/26 v) additional investment of £250,000 in the Streetscene service in 2025/26 vi) non-recurring investment of £300,000 to support the exploration of a wellbeing enterprise hub at the current Greenwood conference centre site in 2025/26 d) to note the projected outturn position for 2024/25; e) to note the level of reserves and fund balances held by the Council and approves any use and contributions to and from these; f) to approve the additional contribution to the HSCP noted at 2.8.1; g) to approve efficiencies and savings to ensure a balanced budget for 2025/26, consequentials and new proposals in future years, subject to: i) removal of the recurring saving to review services at Eglinton park totalling £76,000 ii) create a multi skilled enforcement activity within Roads and Streetscene to deliver a saving of £50,000 (2 FTE posts) in 2025/26. iii) accelerate £26,000 of planned savings from 2026/27 into 2025/26 in respect of the review of KA leisure services. The saving does not change the overall level of planned savings but the profile of the savings associated with the review. h) to approve implementation of the revised service delivery model for the previously approved school library saving outlined at paragraphs 2.7.7 to 2.7.9; i) to approve the schedule of Council fees and charges detailed in Appendix 6; j) to approve 7% increase of Council Tax for 2025/26; k) to note the anticipated funding gaps for 2026/27 and 2027/28; l) to note the equality, children’s rights and other impacts of any service changes;
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m) to note the feedback from the community Budget engagement exercise; n) to note progress to date on the Council’s Sustainable Change Programme and corporate Workforce Planning; and o) to approve the budget matrix for 2025/26 set out at Appendix 7 to the report. Councillor Currie left the meeting during consideration of the following item of business. 6. Capital Investment Programme 2025/26 to 2033/34 Submitted report by the Head of Service (Finance) on the draft Capital Investment Programme to 2033/34. The current capital programme to 2033/34, details of the proposed changes to the programme following the review, and the revised Capital Investment Programme covering the period from 2025/26 to 2033/34, were set out at Appendices 1-3 to the report, respectively. The revised Capital Investment Strategy was provided at Appendix 4 to the report. A Member asked a question of clarification in respect of the figure for the sale of land and buildings following the recent council decision to retain the Greenwood Conference Centre. Councillor Larsen, seconded by Councillor Burns, then moved approval of the recommendations set out in the report. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried. Accordingly, the Council agreed as follows: a) to approve the refreshed Capital Investment Programme to 2033/34 included in Appendix 3; b) to note that the programme will be reviewed on an on-going basis with the next major review in 2026/27; and c) to approve the refreshed Capital Investment Strategy included in Appendix 4. 7. Revenue Estimates 2025/26 – Common Good Funds and Trusts Submitted report by the Head of Service (Finance) on the anticipated annual income and expenditure of the Common Good Funds and Trusts administered by North Ayrshire Council and seeking approval for the level of grant funding to be made available for disbursement in 2025/26. The 2025/26 revenue estimates for the Common Good Funds and registered Charitable Trusts were detailed at Appendix 1 to the report. Appendix 2 listed the remaining trusts and a number of sundry bequests. Appendix 3 listed the external investments.
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Members asked questions and were provided with further information in relation to the two shareholdings identified as being inconsistent with the Council’s investment strategy, when the investments would be sold and the process for selling the investments for the best rate. Councillor Larsen, seconded by Councillor Burns, then moved approval of the recommendations set out in the report. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried. Accordingly, the Council agreed as follows: a) to approve the 2025/26 revenue estimates for the Common Good Funds and registered Charitable Trusts set out at Appendix 1 to the report; b) to approve the amounts available for disbursement noted at paragraphs 2.9 and 2.10 of the report; c) to approve capital spend from the dormant and low value Trusts and Common Good Funds, and instruct officers to seek approval from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) prior to the disbursement of any grant which would result in the winding up of a Trust; and d) to approve the disposal of Trust external investments as detailed at paragraph 2.11 to 2.13 of the report. 8. Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2025/26 Submitted report by the Head of Service (Finance) on the proposed Strategy for Treasury Management and Investment activities within the Council for the financial year 2025/26. The draft Strategy document was set out at Appendix 1 to the report. Councillor Larsen, seconded by Councillor Burns moved approval of the recommendations set out in the report. There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried. Accordingly, the Council agreed to approve the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2025/26 set out at Appendix 1 to the report. 9. Urgent Items The Provost intimated that she had received a request that the Council consider an urgent item in terms of Standing Order 10.8, but that the matter was not related to the Budget and would not, therefore, be considered. Noted. The meeting ended at 4:15 p.m.