Printed minutes
Argyll and Bute Council · 23 February 2023
Back to Argyll and Bute Council — 23 February 2023 and its agenda
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MINUTES of MEETING of ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL held ON A HYBRID BASIS IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, KILMORY, LOCHGILPHEAD AND BY MICROSOFT TEAMS on THURSDAY, 23 FEBRUARY 2023 Present: Councillor Maurice Corry (Chair) Councillor John Armour Councillor Gordon Blair Councillor Jan Brown Councillor Math Campbell-Sturgess Councillor Garret Corner Councillor Robin Currie Councillor Audrey Forrest Councillor Kieron Green Councillor Amanda Hampsey Councillor Daniel Hampsey Councillor Graham Hardie Councillor Fiona Howard Councillor Willie Hume Councillor Mark Irvine Councillor Andrew Kain Councillor Donald Kelly Councillor Paul Donald Kennedy Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle Councillor Jim Lynch Councillor Luna Martin Councillor Tommy MacPherson Councillor Ian MacQuire Councillor Liz McCabe Councillor Dougie McFadzean Councillor Yvonne McNeilly Councillor Ross Moreland Councillor Gary Mulvaney Councillor Iain Paterson Councillor Gemma Penfold Councillor Douglas Philand Councillor Alastair Redman Councillor William Sinclair Councillor Peter Wallace Councillor Andrew Vennard Attending: Pippa Milne, Chief Executive Douglas Hendry, Executive Director Kirsty Flanagan, Executive Director Fiona Davies, Chief Officer – Health and Social Care Partnership David Logan, Head of Legal and Regulatory Support Anne Blue, Head of Financial Services Ross McLaughlin, Head of Commercial Services Shona Barton, Governance Manager Alison Palmer, Teacher Representative Lorna Stewart, Teacher Representative John Wallace, Music Education Partnership Group Emma Lines, Drake Music Scotland Laura Mandleberg, Sound Waves / Screen Argyll Giles Perring, Youth Music Initiative Instructors 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Julie McKenzie, Rev. Sandy MacPherson, Church of Scotland Representative and Margaret Anderson, Roman Catholic Church Representative. DEPUTATIONS The Provost intimated that 5 requests for a deputation to be heard by the Council had been received and it was unanimously agreed to hear from those organisations.
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The Council heard a deputation from Mr John Wallace on behalf of the Music Education Partnership Group relating to Policy Saving Option EDU2324-002 (Removal of non- statutory Cultural Coordinator post) which is dealt with at item 5 of these Minutes (Budgeting Pack 2023-24). The Council heard a deputation from Mr Giles Perring on behalf of the Youth Music Initiative Instructors relating to Policy Saving Option EDU2324-002 (Removal of non- statutory Cultural Coordinator post) which is dealt with at item 5 of these Minutes (Budgeting Pack 2023-24). The Council heard a deputation from Ms Emma Lines on behalf of Drake Music Scotland relating to Policy Saving Option EDU2324-002 (Removal of non-statutory Cultural Coordinator post) which is dealt with at item 5 of these Minutes (Budgeting Pack 2023-24). The Council heard a deputation from Ms Laura Mandleberg on behalf of Sound Waves and Screen Argyll relating to Policy Saving Option EDU2324-002 (Removal of non- statutory Cultural Coordinator post) which is dealt with at item 5 of these Minutes (Budgeting Pack 2023-24). Each Member was given the opportunity to ask one question of those who had made deputations. The Provost thanked those who had made deputations and advised that the Council would consider their submissions as part of Agenda Item 5 (Budgeting Pack 2023/24). 2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Jim Lynch advised in relation to item 9 of the agenda (Bid4Oban – Outcome of Ballot and Nominations for Bid4Oban Bid Board) that he had been appointed to the Dunoon BID Board by the Council. Having taken note of the updated Standards Commission Guidance in relation to declarations (issued on 7 December 2021) with specific reference to section 5.4(c) he did not consider that he had a relevant connection and as such would remain in the meeting. 3. MINUTES (a) Argyll and Bute Council held on 24 November 2022 The Minutes of the meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 24 November 2022 were approved as a correct record. (b) Argyll and Bute Council held on 8 December 2022 The Minutes of the meeting of Argyll and Bute Council held on 8 December 2022 were approved as a correct record. 4. MINUTES OF COMMITTEES (a) Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 1 December 2022 The Minutes of the meeting of the Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee held on 1 December 2022 were noted.
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(b) Policy and Resources Committee held on 8 December 2022 The Minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 8 December 2022 were noted. Item 4 of this Minute (Financial Reports Monitoring Pack – 31 October 2022) contained an asterisk and the Council agreed that the revenue virements over £0.200m during September and October 2022 were approved. Item 8 of this Minute (Procurement Strategy 2022-25 and Sustainable Procurement Policy 2022-25 Draft Documents and Consultation) contained an asterisk and the Council approved the final revised Procurement Strategy 2022/25 and Sustainable Procurement Policy 2022/25 subject to the following amendment to paragraph 1.3 of the Sustainable Procurement Policy 2022/25 – Amended paragraph 1.3 - Argyll & Bute Council is one of the region’s major public money spenders with £158.8 million spent in 2021/22 and resolves to embed progressive procurement practices by developing local supply chains of businesses likely to support local employment and keep wealth within communities. Further Argyll & Bute Council will make its financial power work for local places, working collaboratively to increase flows of investment within local economies by harnessing and recirculating the wealth that exists. (c) Community Services Committee held on 15 December 2022 The Minute of the meeting of the Community Services Committee held on 15 December 2022 were noted. (d) Special Policy and Resources Committee held on 19 January 2023 The Minutes of the meeting of the Special Policy and Resources Committee held on 19 January 2023 were noted. (e) Policy and Resources Committee held on 16 February 2023 The Minutes of the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee held on 16 February 2023 were noted. Item 4 of this Minute (Financial Reports Monitoring Pack – 31 December 2022) contained an asterisk and the Council agreed that the revenue virements over £0.200m during November and December 2022 were approved. Item 5 of this Minute (Budgeting Pack 2023/24) contained an asterisk and the Council noted that this would be dealt with as a substantive item at item 5 of the agenda. Item 6 of this Minute (Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy) contained an asterisk and the Council noted that this would be dealt with as a substantive item at item 6 of the agenda. Item 8 of this Minute (Strategic Events and Festivals Fund – Round 5 – 2023/24) contained an asterisk and the Council agreed as part of the budget in February
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2023, £90,000 base funding for Strategic Events and Festivals in order that the application process could commence during 2024/25 and that this fund be augmented by any underspend remaining from the current financial year. Item 12(b) of this Minute (Rothesay Pavilion – Financial and Contractual Issues) contained an asterisk and the Council agreed the recommendation made by this Committee as detailed in the exempt appendix to the Minute containing the full decision wording. 5. BUDGETING PACK 2023 - 2024 The Council considered the Revenue Budget and Capital Budget papers as contained within the budgeting pack, considered such other appropriate resolutions in relation to these papers and fixed the Council Tax for the year to 31 March 2024 which had been referred without recommendation by the Policy and Resources Committee held on 16 February 2023. Motion The Council: a) Approves the revenue budget for 2023/24 as set out in the Revenue Budget Overview Report and subject to the decisions outlined below and in the Administration Revenue Budget Model provided at Appendix 1 (A). b) Approves a base allocation to the Health and Social Care Partnership of £76.253m for 2023/24. Approves indicative base allocations for 2024/25 and 2025/26 to be £76.253m. The level of future years funding is subject to the level of Scottish Government funding and the Council’s overall financial position in future years. c) Notes the deferred 3% reduction to the Live Argyll management fee from 2022/23 and approves a 3% reduction in 2023/24, resulting in a management fee of £3.835m for 2023/24. d) (i) Endorses the new management/operational savings totalling £2.962m outlined in Appendix 5 of the Revenue Budget Overview Report. (ii) Rejects the following policy savings options, in full or in part, as set out below and in the Administration Revenue Budget Model at Appendix 1(A) and totalling £319.5k in 2023/24: EDU2324-003 – Funding for parent/toddler groups/other non-statutory third sector CSS2324-001 – Customer Engagement Team RIS2324-001 – School Crossing Patrollers, while agreeing that all SCP posts vacant for one year or more are deleted from the establishment (saving of £60k) DEG2324-002 – Funding contribution to Argyll and the Isles Countryside Trust (ACT) (iii) Accepts all other policy savings options totalling £6.144m.
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e) In respect of the service concession arrangements: (i) Approves the accounting change as outlined within the report, noting the principal repayment period will now be 60 years which better reflects the life of the asset. (ii) Notes that this accounting change will create a one-off retrospective benefit of £36.038m. (iii) Agrees that £5.4m of the one-off retrospective benefit will be used to replace exercising the principal repayment holiday that was previously agreed by Council. (iv) Notes that the view of the Council’s Section 95 Officer is that the revised accounting approach is affordable, sustainable and prudent. (v) Invests the remaining £30.638m in Priorities for Argyll and Bute as set out in Table 1 below. f) Approves the capital plan as set out in Appendix 3 of the Capital Plan Summary Report, and agrees to fund the £725k gap through transfers to the Capital Plan as set out in the Administration Capital Budget Model provided at Appendix 1 (B) to this motion, and agrees additional capital allocations for investment in Priorities for Argyll and Bute, as set out in Table 1: Table 1 – Investing in Argyll and Bute’s Priorities Supporting Delivery of Priorities for Argyll and Bute – delivering a vision for Argyll and Bute, our people, our success and our future Funded From £7m Priorities Investment Fund Safeguarding future investment in Priorities for Argyll and Bute by making long- term use of service concession gain to establish dedicated fund to lever in, secure and support key strategic investments in this year and future years. Service Concessions £2m Capital Projects Inflation Pressures Boosting resilience of Capital Programme and providing added support as required for key capital/infrastruct Service Concessions
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ure projects. Priorities: Education – Learning Estate, now and in the future Partnership and Action – contributing to tackling climate change £8m Learning Estate Investment Strategy Signalling council’s commitment to working in partnership to secure new schools for Argyll and Bute, through substantial investment to support future- proofing of Argyll and Bute’s schools estate. Service Concessions £640k Climate Change Continuing our track record of investing in climate change with funding to further enhance school estate climate change measures, with allocations for primary and secondary schools across the area in Campbeltown, Dunoon, Helensburgh, Lochgilphead, Oban and Rothesay. Service Concessions Priorities: Potential and Growth – investing in the future. Partnership and action – everyone has a part to play in Argyll and Bute’s future success. £6.132 m Rothesay Pavilion Building on previous commitments to securing a future for this building of international, national and local significance with additional contribution to the Service Concessions (£4.772m) Recovery and Renewal Fund (£1.360m)
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overall funding target which requires collective action; helping project to progress towards success with funding that supports completion of certain work stages and securing wind/watertight status. Priorities: Infrastructure, Waste and Recycling Services Partnership and Action – playing our part in tackling climate change £3.5m Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) Ban Ensuring Argyll and Bute is able to better address the challenges faced by a remote/rural/ island region in complying with the forthcoming national BMW ban. Service Concessions £700k New refuse collection vehicles Enhancing waste and recycling uplift arrangements through placing orders for new refuse vehicles. Service Concessions Priority: Roads and Infrastructure – roads and pathways £3.797 m Extra Capital Funding for Roads Allocating more capital funding in for roads repair and maintenance programme as part of overall £8m total investment for 2023/24. Unallocated General Fund £4.588 m Roads Investment to Capital Augmenting overall allocation for roads repair and maintenance programme with Service Concessions (£3.546m) Unallocated General Fund (£1.042m)
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additional funds to bring up to £8m total investment for 2024/25. £750k Footpath improvements Providing additional funding for footpath improvements across Argyll and Bute. Unallocated General Fund £250k New jet patcher vehicle Complementing multi-million pound capital investment in roads repair and maintenance with new jet patcher order to support delivery of programme. Service Concessions £230k New road marking vehicle Completing suite of investments in new fleet procurement, to support delivery of roads repair and maintenance programme, with order for additional road marking vehicle. Service Concessions Priority: Potential and growth – making assets work now £531k ICT computer replacement Supporting the council’s digital resilience and overall efficiency with investment in ICT assets. Unallocated General Fund Total Investments through Service Concessions £30.638m Total Investments through Recovery and Renewal Fund £1.360m Total Investment from Unallocated General Fund £6.120m Total Investments in Priorities for Argyll and Bute £38.118m g) Agrees the following external funding requests, to be funded on a one-off basis for 2023/24 from the Unallocated General Fund:
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(i) CHARTS - £75k (ii) Mid Argyll Community Pool - £30k (iii) MacTaggart Leisure, Islay – £30k h) Approves the following in relation to fees and charges with effect from 1st April 2023 unless otherwise noted: (i) Freezing ferry fares on the four Argyll and Bute Council-operated ferry services (Jura, Cuan, Lismore, Easdale) until 31st March 2024 – total financial impact £38k. (ii) No increase to school meal charges in 2023/24 as detailed in section 3.5.2 of the Fees and Charges report. (iii) Approves proposals for an inflationary increase of 6% to all other fees and charges and approves the charges that are over and above inflation, noting that this results in additional income of £0.8m in total. (iv) Approves the changes proposed to the Social Work fees and charges. i) Notes the financial risks analysis. j) Approves the contingency level for the General Fund balance at a level of 2% of net expenditure, equivalent to £5.691m, and notes the report on reserves and balances. k) Approves the allocation of £0.1m from the Unallocated General Fund balance for the Health and Social Care Partnership to engage, in partnership with the Council, with Hub North to develop a strategic business case in relation to the provision of services for older adults and other vulnerable people across Argyll and Bute. l) Approves the revenue estimates for 2023/24 and that consequently the local tax requirement estimated at £59.277m is funded from Council Tax; approves the following rates and charges for the year 2023/24: i) Council Tax to be paid in respect of a chargeable dwelling in Band D of £1,479.20 representing a 5% increase. 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 as amended. iii) Business Rates as determined by Scottish Ministers. m) Approves the Corporate Asset Management Strategy and Plan including the Asset Group Summaries. Appendix 1 – Administration Budget Model Reconciliation (A) Revenue Budget 2023/24 £000 2024/25 £000 2025/26 £000 2026/27 £000 2027/28 £000 Budget Surplus/(Gap) as Per Budget Pack 0 (7,970) (14,490) (21,946) (28,391)
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Council Tax Increase to 5% 376 393 405 417 429 Policy Savings Rejected : CSS2324-001 Customer Engagement Team -191 -318 -318 -318 -318 EDU2324-003 Funding to support parent and toddler groups -86 -86 -86 -86 -86 RIS2324-001 School Crossing Patrollers – removal of full saving -88 -151 -151 -151 -151 RIS2324-001 School Crossing Patrollers – accept saving of vacant posts over 1 year 60 60 60 60 60 DEG2324-002 Discretionary Budget Contribution to Argyll and the Isles Countryside Trust (14.5) (14.5) (14.5) (14.5) (14.5) Freezing of Argyll and Bute Council operated ferry fares for 1 year (38) (38) (38) (38) (38) Transfer surplus to Unallocated General Fund (18.5) Revised Budget Surplus/(Gap) 0 (8,124.5 ) (14,632.5 ) (22,076.5) (28,509.5) (B) Capital Budget 2023/24 Capital Pla n £00 0 Unallocated General Fun d As Per Budget Pack (725) 8,109 Capital Plan Gap Funded from Unallocated General Fund 725 (725) Footpath Improvements (750) ICT Computer Replacements (531) Roads Reconstruction 2023/24 (3,797)
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Roads Reconstruction 2024/25 (1,042) Charts (75) Mid Argyll Community Pool (30) MacTaggart Leisure, Islay (30) HSCP for Strategic Business Case (100) Transfer from Revenue Budget 18.5 Adjustment to 2% Contingency following Budget Decisions (7) Revised 0 1,040.5 Moved by Councillor Robin Currie, seconded by Councillor Gary Mulvaney. Amendment Argyll and Bute Council: 1) Approves the revenue budget for 2023/24 as set out in the Revenue Budget Overview Report and subject to the decisions outlined below and set out in Appendix 1 below. 2) Approves a base allocation to the Health and Social Care Partnership of £76.253m for 2023/24. Approves indicative base allocations for 2024/25 and 2025/26 to be £76.253m. The level of future years funding is subject to the level of Scottish Government funding and the Council’s overall financial position in future years. 3) Approves the deferred 3% reduction to the Live Argyll Management Fee from 2022-23 and a 3% reduction in 2023-2024, resulting in a management fee in 2023- 24 of £3.835m. 4) a) Rejects the following savings options totalling £ 0.416m CSS2324- 001- Minimising Face to Face Customer Service Delivery Officers are instructed to prepare a report to the Policy and Resources Committee outlining how this service can be further developed to provide more local support to all our services. EDU2324- 002 - Removal of non-statutory Cultural Co-ordinator post DEG2324-002 - Reduce discretionary budget to minimum. EDU2324-003 - Remove funding to support parent and toddler groups and other non-statutory third sector. RIS2324-001 - School crossing patrollers. b) Accepts all other policy savings options proposals, set out in Appendix 6 of the Revenue Budget Overview report, totalling £6.048m c) Endorses the management/operational savings, set out in Appendix 5 of the Revenue Budget Overview report, totalling £2.962m
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5) Agrees the following additional investments, as set out in the table below and also in the Budget Model at Appendix 1: Investing in Argyll and Bute’s road network – £4.901m One-off or Recurring Funded From £4.551m Roads Increasing investment in our roads by providing an additional £4.551 m to maintain and improve Argyll and Bute’s rural, remote, island and urban roads network providing an overall Roads Reconstruction Budget of £8m for 2023/24. One-off Unallocated General Fund £0.250m Jet Patch equipment Investment to replace ageing less effective equipment and increase efficiency. One-off Unallocated General Fund £0.050m Amenities Warden to cover the Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Isles area. Makes provision for the employment of an Environment Warden based in the Mid Argyll Kintyre and the Isles area. Recurring (to be baselined) Revenue Budget £0.050m Flashing Road Safety Signage Purchase and installation of road safety signage to improve road safety on our rural roads. Officers to engage with Area committees and local communities to identify suitable priority sites. One - off Unallocated General Fund Cost of living Crisis support £0.465m £0.050m Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau In recognition of the substantial increase in demand during the current Cost of living Crisis One off Recovery and Renewal Fund £0.050m Bute Advice Centre In recognition of the substantial increase in demand during the current Cost of living Crisis One off Recovery and Renewal Fund £0.050m Alienergy In recognition of the substantial increase in demand during the current Cost of living Crisis One off Recovery and Renewal Fund £0.050m Rape Crisis Centre Argyll and Bute To enable the centre to continue to provide much needed support against a background of rising running costs. One off Recovery and Renewal Fund
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£0.185m Continuation of Free School Meals Additional allowance Providing additional funding to extend the Free School Meal Additional allowance scheme. One off Recovery and Renewal Fund £0.080m Cost of Living Contingency Fund Each Area Committee to be allocated £20k To provide emergency support to Food banks and warm space providers experiencing financial difficulties. One off Recovery and Renewal Fund Climate Change Initiatives - £0.6m £0.5m Climate Change Projects Provides funding of £0.5m for climate change, including projects within Argyll and Bute’s schools. Regular updated to be provided to the Council’s Policy and Resources Committee One-off Recovery and Renewal Fund £0.1m Climate Change Projects Funding to further scope the Kilmory Renewables Project. Officers to provide regular reports to members of the relevant committees One-off Recovery and Renewal Fund Supporting our Partners and Businesses - £0.335m £0.075m CHArts (Culture, Heritage and Arts ) Agree to the request to provide investment for 2023/24 to support the organisation in delivering targeted support, in communities, to the culture, arts and heritage sector as part of its plans to contribute to overall economic recovery. One-off Recovery and Renewal Fund £0.030m Mid Argyll Community Pool MACPool Agree additional sum of £30k to address utility and property repairs. One off Recovery and Renewal Fund £0.030m MacTaggart Leisure Centre Agree additional funding to support ongoing increases in utility costs One off Recovery and Renewal Fund £0.100m HSCP Approve the allocation for HSCP to work in partnership with the council to engage with Hub North to develop a One off Unallocated General Fund
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strategic business case in relation to provision of services for older adults and other vulnerable people across Argyll and Bute. £0.100m Business support Hub Funding to develop a” Business Hub” which will provide a “One Stop Shop” “delivering advice and support across a wide range of services. Officers to prepare a reports the relevant committee to provide and update to members. One off Recovery and Renewal Fund Total investment in Argyll and Bute Priorities - £6.301m 6) Approves the following in relation to fees and charges with effect from 1st April 2023 unless otherwise noted: a) Approve the proposals for the fees and charges inflationary increase of 6% and approve the charges that are over and above inflation. Note that this would generate additional income of £0.838m in total. b) Approve the changes proposed to the Social Work fees and charges. c) Approve all other charges as noted within the Fees and Charges Schedule. 7) Notes the financial risks analysis. 8) Approves the contingency level for the General Fund balance at a level of 2% of net expenditure, equivalent to £5.265m and note the report on reserves and balances. 9) Approves the revenue estimates for 2023/24 and that consequently the local tax requirement estimated at £59.277m is funded from Council Tax. Approve the following rates and charges for the year, 2023/24: a) Council Tax to be paid in respect of a chargeable dwelling in Band “D” of £1,479.20, representing a 5% increase. b) 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 as amended. c) Business Rates as determined by Scottish Ministers 10) Approves the capital plan as set out in Appendix 3 of the capital plan summary report, and agrees to fund the £0.725m gap from the Unallocated General Fund. 11) Approves the Corporate Asset Management Strategy. 12) Notes the Corporate Asset Management plan and the Asset Group Summaries. 13) Notes that the Unallocated General Fund Balance is after proposals contained in this budget is £2.394m. 14) Service Concessions a) Notes that the view of the Section 95 Officer is that the revised accounting approach is affordable, sustainable and prudent. b) Approve the accounting change as outlined within the report noting the principal repayment period will now be 60 years which better reflects the life of the asset
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c) Note that this accounting change will create a one-off retrospective benefit of £36.038m. d) Agree that £5.4m of the one – off retrospective benefit will be used to replace exercising the principal repayment holiday that was previously agreed by Council. e) The remaining one –off retrospective benefit generated from the accounting change will be used as outlined below – £8m Learning Estate Strategy Funding allocated to help safeguard and support future funding for Argyll and Bute’s Learning Estate strategy. Earmarked £3.450m Biodegradable Waste Ban 2025 Provision to support the capital costs of implementing the Biodegradable Waste Ban Earmarked £4 m Inflationary Increase ( Capital Projects ) Provision to offset future capital inflationary increases. Earmarked £6 m Spend to Save Council wide allocation to support services develop projects that deliver future financial benefits. Earmarked £6.132m Total £27.582m Rothesay Pavilion Contribution to implement stage 1 (Wind and Watertight). Earmarked The balance remaining of £3,056 to be held in the General Fund to assist with future budget pressures Appendix 1 Revenue 23/24 £000 24/25 £000 25/26 £000 26/27 £000 28/29 £000 Budget Surplus / (Gap) as per Budget Pack 0 - 7,970 - 14,490 - 21,946 - 28,391 CSS2324-001 -191 -318 -318 -318 -318 EDU2324-002 -15 -15 -15 -15 -15 DEG2324-002 -36 -36 -36 -36 -36
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EDU2324-003 -86 -86 -86 -86 -86 RIS2324-001 -88 -151 -151 -151 -151 Increase in CT from 4.33% to 5% 376 393 405 417 429 Funding for Warden in MAKI -50 -50 -50 -50 -50 Transfer from Unallocated General Fund and Recovery and Renewal Fund 90 Revised 0 - 8,233 - 14,439 - 22,185 28,618 Unallocated General Fund £000 Unallocated General Fund as per Budget Pack 8,109 Roads - 4,551 Jet Patcher -250 Flashing Road Signage -50 HSCP Business Case -100 Capital Plan Gap -725 To Balance Budget 2023-24 -30 Keep 2% Contingency Adjustment -9 Revised 2,394 Capital Plan Gap Capital Plan Gap as per Budget Pack -725 From Unallocated General Fund 725
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Revised 0 Recovery and Renewal Fund £000 Recovery and Renewal Fund as per Budget Pack 1,360 Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice -50 Alienergy -50 Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis -50 Bute Advice Centre -50 Continuation of Additional Free School Meals support -185 Cost of Living Contingency Fund -80 Climate Change -500 Kilmory Renewables -100 CHArts -75 MACPool -30 Islay Pool -30 Business Hub -100 Transferred to Revenue Budget 2023- 24 -60 Revised 0 Service Concessions Benefit £000 Service Concessions Benefit 36,038 Principal Repayment Holiday - 5,400 Learning Estate Investment Programme -8,000 Biodegradable Waste Ban 2025 -3,450 Inflationary Increases
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( Capital Projects ) -4,000 Spend to Save Projects -6,000 Rothesay Pavilion ( Wind and Watertight ) -6,132 Revised –Balance to be held in General Fund to assist with future budget pressures 3,056 Moved by Councillor Jim Lynch, seconded by Councillor Dougie Philand. The Provost requested the Section 95 Officer to confirm that the Motion and Amendment before the Council, containing budget proposals were competent and balanced. The Section 95 Officer confirmed this was the case. As the meeting was being held on a hybrid basis, the vote required to be taken by calling the Roll and Members voted as follows – Motion Amendment No Vote Councillor Garret Corner Councillor John Armour Councillor Maurice Corry Councillor Gordon Blair Councillor Robin Currie Councillor Jan Brown Councillor Kieron Green Councillor Math Campbell Sturgess Councillor Amanda Hampsey Councillor Audrey Forrest Councillor Daniel Hampsey Councillor Fiona Howard Councillor Graham Hardie Councillor Willie Hume Councillor Andrew Kain Councillor Mark Irvine Councillor Paul Donald Kennedy Councillor Donal Kelly Councillor Liz McCabe Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle Councillor Yvonne McNeilly Councillor Jim Lynch Councillor Ross Moreland Councillor Luna Martin Councillor Gary Mulvaney Councillor Tommy MacPherson Councillor Gemma Penfold Councillor Ian James McQuire Councillor Alastair Redman Councillor Dougie McFadzean Councillor William Sinclair Councillor Iain Shonny Paterson Councillor Andrew Vennard Councillor Dougie Philand Councillor Peter Wallace Decision The Motion was carried by 18 votes to 17 and the Council resolved accordingly. (Reference: Budgeting Pack 2023/24 dated 16 February 2023, submitted; Motion by Councillor Robin Currie, seconded by Councillor Gary Mulvaney, tabled; and Amendment by Councillor Jim Lynch, seconded by Councillor Dougie Philand, tabled)
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6. TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT AND ANNUAL INVESTMENT STRATEGY The Council gave consideration to a report which sought approval of the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy which set out the Council’s Strategy for borrowing and investment for the forthcoming year. The report also set out the policy for the repayment of loans fund advances for 2023-24 which had been referred without recommendation by the Policy and Resources Committee held on 16 February 2023. Decision The Council – 1. approved the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy and the indicators contained within and noted that the figures within the Strategy would be updated to reflect the budget decisions agreed at Council; 2. approved the continued use of the asset life method for the repayment of loan fund advances using a 5.1% annuity interest rate, with the exception of spend to save schemes where the funding/income profile method could be used; 3. approved the proposed asset repayment periods as detailed within section 2.7 of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement; and 4. approved the ability to continue to use countries with a sovereign rating of AA- and above, as recommended by the Council’s external treasury management advisors. (Reference: Report by Section 95 Officer dated 9 February 2023, submitted) 7. POLITICAL MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS The Council gave consideration to a report advising of a number of changes relating to the political management arrangements which have arisen since the last meeting of the Council. The report set out detail of the vacancies that had arisen as a result of these changes and invited the Council to consider what action it wished to take in that regard. An update on the Council’s political composition was provided for noting. The Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support advised that he would bring forward a report to the next meeting of Council which would provide clarity around the Political Composition of the Council. Motion The Council: 1. Notes the appointment of Councillor Peter Wallace to the role of Depute Policy Lead for Roads and Transport; 2. Appoints Councillor Peter Wallace to the vacant position on the Northern Roads Collaboration;
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3. Appoints Councillor Peter Wallace to the vacant position on the Fyne Homes Management Committee. 4. Notes the detail in relation to identification of Shadow Policy Lead Councillors. Moved by Councillor Robin Currie, seconded by Councillor Gary Mulvaney. Amendment The Council: 1. Notes the appointment of Councillor Peter Wallace to the role of Depute Policy Lead for Roads and Transport; 2. Appoints Councillor John Armour to the vacant position on the Northern Roads Collaboration; 3. Appoints Councillor Dougie Philand to the vacant position on the Fyne Homes Management Committee. 4. Notes the detail in relation to identification of Shadow Policy Lead Councillors. Moved by Councillor Jim Lynch, seconded by Councillor Audrey Forrest. As the meeting was being held on a hybrid basis, the vote required to be taken by calling the Roll and Members voted as follows – Motion Amendment No Vote Councillor Garret Corner Councillor John Armour Councillor Maurice Corry Councillor Gordon Blair Councillor Robin Currie Councillor Jan Brown Councillor Kieron Green Councillor Math Campbell Sturgess Councillor Amanda Hampsey Councillor Audrey Forrest Councillor Daniel Hampsey Councillor Fiona Howard Councillor Graham Hardie Councillor Willie Hume Councillor Andrew Kain Councillor Mark Irvine Councillor Paul Donald Kennedy Councillor Donald Kelly Councillor Tommy MacPherson Councillor Reeni Kennedy-Boyle Councillor Liz McCabe Councillor Jim Lynch Councillor Yvonne McNeilly Councillor Luna Martin Councillor Ross Moreland Councillor Ian James McQuire Councillor Gary Mulvaney Councillor Dougie McFadzean Councillor Gemma Penfold Councillor Iain Shonny Paterson Councillor Alastair Redman Councillor Dougie Philand Councillor William Sinclair Councillor Andrew Vennard Councillor Peter Wallace Decision The Motion was carried by 19 votes to 16 and the Council resolved accordingly.
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(Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Legal and Regulatory Support dated 16 January 2023, submitted; and Motion by Councillor Robin Currie, seconded by Councillor Gary Mulvaney, tabled; and Amendment by Councillor Jim Lynch, seconded by Councillor Audrey Forrest.) 8. COUNCIL GAELIC LANGUAGE PLAN The Council, at its meeting on 30 June 2022 had considered proposals recommended by Bòrd na Gaidhlig to amend the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan and had decided not to agree an amendment to the Council’s Gaelic Language Plan which would have committed the Council to establishing a Gaelic school. The Council gave consideration to a report providing an update on the Council’s Gaelic language Plan following referral to Scottish Ministers for a final decision. Decision The Council – 1. noted that this matter had been referred to Scottish Ministers in June 2022 under section 5(5)(c) of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005, as there had been no agreement between the Council and Bòrd na Gaidhlig on the proposed amendment regarding the establishment of an all-Gaelic School; 2. noted that engagement between officers from the Council and from Scottish Government took place to inform Scottish Ministers of the Council’s position and subsequently a decision by Scottish Ministers was sent to the Council on 16th December 2022. This decision stated that Ministers would approve the Plan subject to the modification already agreed by Council regarding L2 or L3 and the following alternative approach to the matter of a Gaelic School: “Action 2.11 Argyll and Bute Council will engage fully and constructively with Bòrd na Gàidhlig, as adviser on Gaelic education, and other stakeholders (including parents and parent representatives) with a view to bringing forward, within the next 2 years, a consultation to ascertain the demand for an all-Gaelic School within the local authority area.”; and 3. noted the position that the decision of the Scottish Ministers was one that, subject to any considerations in relation to judicial challenge, is binding on the Council and Bòrd na Gaidhlig. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Customer Support Services dated 18 January 2023, submitted) 9. BID4OBAN - OUTCOME OF BALLOT AND NOMINATIONS FOR BID4OBAN BID BOARD The Council gave consideration to a report providing an update on the outcome of the Bid4Oban ballot held on 8 December 2022. The report advised that one elected member had been appointed to the Oban BID Board and invited nomination of one Council officer to sit on the Board of the Oban Business Improvement District (BID) Company. Decision
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The Council – 1. noted the outcome in regard to the BID4Oban BID ballot; 2. noted that Oban Lorn and the Isles Area Committee appointed an Elected Member to the BID4Oban BID Board meetings for the third term of the BID, 2023-2028 on 15th June 2022; and 3. delegated authority to the Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth to nominate a Council Officer to attend the BID4Oban BID Board meetings for the third term of the BID, 2023- 2028. (Reference: Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Development and Economic Growth dated December 2022, submitted)