Council approves Borders budget

Published 10 Feb 2010 15:54 0 Comments

SCOTTISH Borders Council has approved the Administration's budget proposals.

The main elements of the budget include a third consecutive freeze on council tax and a boost to social work and education services.

The local authority revealed there will be continued investment in the school estate, and in nursery and pre-school provision, as well as a rise in foster care allowance rates. New support is also to be put in place for young people leaving care.

However, proposals in the draft budget to provide £433,000 funding in each of the next two years to convert Buckholm Mill into a centre for child and adult protection have had to be dropped from the 2010/11 budget due to uncertainty over funding from other project partners.

Leader of the Council, Councillor David Parker, said: "I am delighted that the Council has accepted the Administration's proposals.

"We have been able to deliver a sound, robust, stable budget in a time of great uncertainty and severe pressures. We have received a £5.4m increase from Scottish Government, which is less than we anticipated and a great deal less than we need just to continue doing what we have been doing.

"However, we have been able to deal with that funding reduction without significantly affecting our frontline services or increasing Council Tax."

The budget includes an investment of £35.6 million in Borders school buildings over the next four years to support the programme of new-build and refurbishment that is already underway.

A £125,000 Small Business Funding Scheme is part of the local authority's aim to provide support to all businesses in the area through Business Gateway. It will allow small businesses to apply for grants of up to £4000.

And the shift to alternate weekly refuse collections will contribute to more than £1 million savings - as well as helping the environment.

Depute Leader (Finance), Councillor Neil Calvert, said: "We are in this position because we have worked together and planned ahead. Our efficiencies programme has played a significant part in getting us to this position. We will continue to drive efficiencies as we need to protect ourselves in the future. I am pleased that, once again, we do not have to use our reserves to balance the budget."

Depute Leader (HR), Councillor Alec Nicol, added: "All departments have been finding ways of running their services in a more efficient way and delivering them differently, which has helped to ensure that there are no significant reductions in our frontline services."

The Council's budget will rise to £268,876 million. This is made up from Scottish Government aggregate external finance (AEF) of £219.3 million (an increase of £5.4 million on last year); council tax freeze funding of £1.5 million, and council tax income of £49.6 million.

The budget proposals have again focused on the priorities contained in the Administration's manifesto, Building a Successful Borders.

Highlights include:

· 0% council tax rise

· £207,000 for nursery / pre-school provision for three-year-olds

· £281,000 for 12 additional teachers to help reduce P1-3 class sizes

· £139,000 for free school meals for P1-3 in our 14 most deprived schools

· £45.9 million over four years for new and refurbished schools

· £125,000 for a new business grants scheme

· £100,000 for an increase in foster care allowance rates

· £147,000 for an increased level of respite care

· £7.6 million over four years for improvements to roads, bridges and lighting

· £2.7 million over four years for improvements to Kelso town centre

· £3.8 million over four years for waste management

· £1 million for public conveniences.

4. The Council's spending pressures include:

· £5 million on pay increases

· £1.2 million on inflation-related costs

· £1.4 million on Government manifesto commitments

· £0.9 million on loan charges

· £0.9 million on demographic changes

· £0.7 million on the PPP unitary charge.

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