Issue - meetings
Notices of Motion
Meeting: 04/03/2019 - Council (Item 14)
Notice of Motion by Councillor Yuill
That this Council:
1. Notes the contents of the COSLA position paper “Fair Funding for Essential Services 2019/20” and in particular:
a) That Local Government budgets have been cut by 4% in real terms over the last five years as opposed to a 0.4% cut in the Scottish budget.
b) That savings can only be made on 42% of the ‘unprotected ‘Local Government budget.
c) That this amounts to an 8% cut on these services or 20% of the unprotected budget
2. Agrees that strong local government is essential for our communities and:
a) Endorses COSLA’s position paper and in particular the call for an end to ring-fencing.
b) Commits to continue working for a fairer funding settlement for Aberdeen City Council.
Decision:
(i) to note the contents of the COSLA position paper “Fair Funding for Essential Services 2019/20” and in particular:
(a) that Local Government budgets have been cut by 4% in real terms over the last five years as opposed to a 0.4% cut in the Scottish budget.
(b) that savings can only be made on 42% of the ‘unprotected’ Local Government budget.
(c) that this amounts to an 8% cut on these services or 20% of the unprotected budget; and
(ii) to agree that strong local government is essential for our communities and:
(a) endorse COSLA’s position paper and in particular the call for an end to ring-fencing.
(b) commit to continue working for a fairer funding settlement for Aberdeen City Council by agreeing to submit the following motion to COSLA convention at the end of March 2019:-
COSLA notes Aberdeen City Council, the 3rd biggest city in Scotland, only receives £60.199m in General Revenue Grant. Notes Aberdeen City Council generates 86% of its own revenue through Council tax and Business Rates, the highest percentage in Scotland. Seeks COSLA’s support for Aberdeen City Council to retain the extra £28m it raised in Business Rates without a reduction in the General Revenue Grant as agreed between COSLA and the Scottish Government. Seeks a full review of the distribution formula which disadvantages Aberdeen City Council massively.
(c) note that Aberdeen City Council raised an additional £28m in non-domestic rates within the city in 2018/19 beyond what was anticipated this time last year and that all of the additional revenue will be clawed back by the Scottish Government making a £28m cut in the general revenue grant; and agree that the Chief Executive make representations to the Scottish Government proposing that Aberdeen is allowed to retain this extra £28m raised in Business Rates without a reduction in the General Revenue Grant already agreed between COSLA and the Scottish Government.
Minutes:
The Council had before it the following notice of motion by Councillor Yuill:-
“That this Council:
1. Notes the contents of the COSLA position paper “Fair Funding for Essential Services 2019/20” and in particular:
a) That Local Government budgets have been cut by 4% in real terms over the last five years as opposed to a 0.4% cut in the Scottish budget.
b) That savings can only be made on 42% of the ‘unprotected’ Local Government budget.
c) That this amounts to an 8% cut on these services or 20% of the unprotected budget.
2. Agrees that strong local government is essential for our communities and:
a) Endorses COSLA’s position paper and in particular the call for an end to ring-fencing.
b) Commits to continue working for a fairer funding settlement for Aberdeen City Council.”
Councillor Yuill moved, seconded by Councillor Greig:-
That the Council -
(1) notes the contents of the COSLA position paper “Fair Funding for Essential Services 2019/20” and in particular:
a) that Local Government budgets have been cut by 4% in real terms over the last five years as opposed to a 0.4% cut in the Scottish budget;
b) that savings can only be made on 42% of the ‘unprotected’ Local Government budget;
c) that this amounts to an 8% cut on these services or 20% of the unprotected budget;
(2) agrees that strong local government is essential for our communities and:
a) endorses COSLA’s position paper and in particular the call for an end to ring-fencing;
b) commits to continue working for a fairer funding settlement for Aberdeen City Council by agreeing to submit the following motion to COSLA convention at the end of March 2019:-
COSLA notes Aberdeen City Council, the 3rd biggest city in Scotland, only receives £60.199m in General Revenue Grant. Notes Aberdeen City Council generates 86% of its own revenue through Council tax and Business Rates, the highest percentage in Scotland. Seeks COSLA’s support for Aberdeen City Council to retain the extra £28m it raised in Business Rates without a reduction in the General Revenue Grant as agreed between COSLA and the Scottish Government. Seeks a full review of the distribution formula which disadvantages Aberdeen City Council massively.
c) notes that Aberdeen City Council raised an additional £28m in non-domestic rates within the city in 2018/19 beyond what was anticipated this time last year and that all of the additional revenue will be clawed back by the Scottish Government making a £28m cut in the general revenue grant; and agrees that the Chief Executive make representations to the Scottish Government proposing that Aberdeen is allowed to retain this extra £28m raised in Business Rates without a reduction in the General Revenue Grant already agreed between COSLA and the Scottish Government;
(3) notes that between 2010/11 and 2019/20, the Scottish Government budget has reduced from £33.001bn to £31.034bn - a cut of £2bn;
(4) welcomes the commitments made in the budget settlement for the expansion of Early Years Provision, Gaelic, the ... view the full minutes text for item 14