Council tax freeze in Perth and Kinross Council budget

Feb 12 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THERE will be no increase in council tax in Perth and Kinross for 2010/2011 after councillors yesterday agreed to freeze levels for the fourth year running.

And despite the “extremely challenging times” facing all councils across Scotland, the administration of Perth and Kinross Council pledged it was “fully committed to providing excellent and improving services” and “better placed to cope than most councils”.

Outlining the local authority’s revenue budget for 2010/2011, council leader Ian Miller emphasised the careful financial planning which had “achieved significant efficiencies” and an extra £1.9 million being invested in services which will support communities in need.

Money being pumped into such services include:

l An extra £100,000 to help foster care for vulnerable children and young people;

l £300,000 to set up breakfast and brunch clubs in primary schools, introduced on a pilot basis in areas of greatest need;

l An additional £60,000 to the housing services to help prevent young people from becoming homeless;

l £183,000 for five permanent community link work posts to support families facing inequality, poor health and under-achievement;

l £90,000 to help to reduce P1-3 class sizes and for teacher training to support the curriculum-for-excellence in schools.

Major points from other areas of the revenue budget included:

l Adding £3.5million to council reserves – this makes a total of almost £7 million which is being carried forward to the coming year’s finances;

l An allocation of £500,000 for road repairs following this winter’s severe weather. This is in addition to the government funds, expected to be around £250,000, for weather-related road repairs;

l A new investment of £100,000 to the development of the renewable energy sector;

l A £270,000 package to provide continuing support for the local economy;

l Community arts funding with an emphasis on Perth 800 projects.

Presenting next year’s revenue budget to his fellow members, Councillor Miller stressed that Perth and Kinross Council was better placed than most Scottish local authorities to cope “at a time of great financial pressures on all councils”.

He continued: “I believe the budget reflects this administration’s priorities of supporting the most vulnerable people and businesses in our communities.

“It tackles the economic problems brought about by the recession whilst continuing to plan with foresight, for future years. This will ensure that when we emerge from recession, Perth and Kinross will be best placed to take advantage of the new opportunities that will be presented to us.”

He publicly thanked council staff for the important role they played the budget preparations, adding: “I do not wish to stop there.

“I want to recognise the hard work and dedication of all our staff across the council who are committed every day throughout the year to delivering the best possible services for the people of Perth and Kinross.

“We greatly value their work in helping to achieve better outcomes for the people of Perth and Kinross.”

Seconding Cllr Miller’s budget proposals, depute leader George Hayton said: “It is essential that at this time of economic pressure we maintain our focus on this vision and our aspirations for the future. We must continue to be proactive in our approach to providing services.

“To do this whilst also facing the impact of reduced funding over a number of years, will mean we have to be smarter in our decision making about delivery of services.

“We need to recognise that hard choices will need to be made. However, we have made commitments to provide resources that will be of most value to the people and local economy of our area.”

Other revenue budget points:

l The total revenue budget for Perth and Kinross Council for 2010/2011 is £331,563,000.

l Cllr Miller told members that the over-riding factor effecting the setting of next year’s budgets was the decision by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cut the Scottish Government’s funding by £½billion on a recurring basis – as a result of those cuts, Perth and Kinross Council has to bear its share of £178 million removed from the local government revenue settlement.

l Council tax payers in band D will pay £1158 –for the fourth successive year. This complies with an agreement with the Scottish Government which has made available £70 million for those local authorities which agree to free their council tax for 2010/2011.

l A 10% council tax discount will be applied to long-term unoccupied and unfurnished dwellings, and also to second homes throughout Perth and Kinross.