Agenda item

(A)      The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Finance which provided information on both the revenue budget for 2022/23 and capital programme for the period 2022/23 to 2026/27 in order that the approved budgets and Council Tax value could be set by the Council for the year commencing 1 April 2022.

 

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

 

Balance Sheet

 

(a)           note the projected balance sheet position including the reserves as at 31 March 2022, shown at Appendix 1;

(b)           consider the Council’s Financial Resilience Framework measures, included at Appendix 2, and Prudential Indicators, at Appendix 3, providing current and forward-looking data and insight to aid understanding of the implications of capital investment prior to setting Council Tax and the Revenue and Capital budgets;

(c)           approve the Prudential Indicators as attached at Appendix 3;

(d)           approve the General Fund Capital Programme as attached at Appendix 4;

(e)           consider the capital projects described in Appendix 5, which were referred to the General Fund Capital Programme;

(f)            approve the Revenue and Capital Reserves Policy for 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 6;

 

Medium-Term Financial Projections

 

(g)           note the forecast medium-term financial projection for the period ending 31 March 2027 as shown in paragraph 3.36;

(h)           note that the Scottish Government has stated the intention to publish a Resource Spending Review in May 2022;

(i)             note the important context of climate change and in particular the Net Zero Aberdeen Routemap and associated place based strategies that are in line with the Net Zero Vision to achieve the goal of a Net Zero Aberdeen by 2045, as approved by Council on 28 February 2022 (COM/22/054);

(j)             note that the National Care Service consultation that took place during 2021/22 has potential implications for Council resources and operational arrangements during the period of the next Medium Term Financial Strategy; 

(k)           instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to refresh the Medium Term Financial Strategy and report to the Council by the end of August 2022;

(l)             instruct the Chief Executive to report to the Council, by the end of August 2022, on a refreshed Target Operating Model, to address the challenges of the next 5 years;

 

Revenue Budget

 

(m)         note that the conditions outlined by the Scottish Government within the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2022/23 are met by the proposals set out in the report;

(n)           note the ongoing exceptional operating environment created because of the Covid-19 pandemic and price inflation that there are known and unknown risks that arise as described in the report, consideration should be given to increasing the £4m of in-year contingencies included in the budget;

(o)           approve the redesign of Council services to address demand, in line with the commissioning led approach described in the report, and to set at least a balanced budget for financial year 2022/23, having due regard to:

a)       The Budget Model as contained in paragraph 3.36 that identifies a funding shortfall of £32.2m for 2022/23;

b)       The impact of service redesign on services and fees and charges described in Appendix 7;

c)       The Revenue and Capital Reserves Policy, that sets out the Council should maintain uncommitted General Fund balances of £12m;

d)       The Financial Resilience Framework data shown in Appendix 2;

d)       The Prudential Indicators and impact of the General Fund Capital Programme on revenue expenditure, Appendix 3;

e)       The savings options and cost of implementation put forward in Appendix 8 and Fees and Charges proposals in Appendix 9;

f)        The Cosla commitment to 1% of the budget being subject to participatory budgeting;

f)         The revenue items referred to the budget process, as shown in Appendix 10;

h)       The Council’s Risk Appetite Statement; and

i)        Integrated impact assessments and screening results provided in the background papers;

(p)           approve the Commissioning Intentions and Service Standards as described in Appendices 10 and 11 respectively, subject to any amendments approved as per 2.3.3 above, noting that the Chief Officer - Finance has confirmed that the Commissioning Intentions being implemented are consistent with the draft budget for 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Strategy;

(q)           approve the level of funding for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership IJB 2022/23 to meet the conditions of the Scottish Government Financial Settlement, described in paragraphs 3.96 and 3.101 to 3.106, and to note that it will be for the IJB itself to determine how it will balance its budget;

(r)            approve the fees and charges for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership IJB, as shown in Appendix 9;

(s)           approve the level of funding for the Council’s other group entities and Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEOs), in 2022/23 with reference to paragraphs 3.91 to 3.114;

(t)            approve the continued delegation of authority to the Chief Officer - Finance to approve the allocation of Covid19 related funding retained as an earmarked General Fund reserve at 31 March 2022, and any further sums distributed to the Council, to meet need and demand or to cover for lost income where it arises during 2022/23, reporting the use of funds to the City Growth and Resources Committee in the quarterly financial performance reports;

(u)           note the Council’s approach towards meeting the target of 1% of revenue funding being available for Participatory Budgeting, paragraph 3.83, and instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to report to a future Council meeting on the impact of Participatory Budgeting in Aberdeen;

(v)           instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to give notice to the Board of Directors of NYOP Education (Aberdeen) Ltd to disburse £387,000 to Sport Aberdeen and £130,000 to VSA, being nominated charities of NYOP;

(w)          instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to recover the full costs associated with being the Administering Authority of the North East Scotland Pension Fund from the Pension Fund.

 

Taxation

 

(x)           approve a Band D equivalent Council Tax rate of £1,422.75 (3.3% increase), with effect from 1 April 2022;

(y)           impose and levy Council Tax assessments for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 on all chargeable dwellings in Aberdeen City to be paid by the persons liable therefor under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;

(z)           note the Scottish Government’s announcement of £150 for households in Council Tax Bands A-D and those eligible for Council Tax Reduction, and that this will be applied as a credit to Council Tax accounts in 2022/23;

(aa)       note that the Council implements revisions to National Non-Domestic Rates as defined by the Scottish Government within the relevant legislation and Finance Circulars, with effect from 1 April 2022; and

(bb)       impose and levy Non-Domestic Rates assessments for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 on all occupiers in Aberdeen City to be paid by those liable.

 

(B)      The Council had before it a report by the Chief Officer - Finance which provided details of the draft Common Good budget for 2022/23, to enable the Council to approve a final budget that would take effect on 1 April 2022.

 

The report recommended:-

that the Council -

(a)           approve the Common Good budget for 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 1; and

(b)           consider and decide on each of the new requests for funding detailed in Appendix 3 to the report, taking account of the affordable funding available for 2022/23.

 

Councillor Houghton moved, seconded by Councillor Laing:-

That the Council:

 

Balance Sheet

      I.         note the projected balance sheet position including the reserves as at 31 March 2022, shown at Appendix 1 of the report;

    II.         note the Council’s Financial Resilience Framework measures, included at Appendix 2 of the report and instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to continue the development of the Framework, reporting progress in the refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy;

   III.         approve the General Fund Capital Programme as attached at Appendix 1 of the motion;

  IV.         approve the Prudential Indicators as attached at Appendix 2 of the motion;

    V.         approve the Revenue and Capital Reserves Policy for 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report;

  VI.         instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to reprioritise schemes already committed and add the resurfacing  of the Hazlehead car park beside the old bus terminus and the resurfacing of North Burn Avenue, Westholme Crescent North, Stronsay Avenue and Angusfield Avenue, all to be taken from the additional £10m investment in roads that was committed;

VII.         note that in December 2016 Council agreed a Memorandum of Understanding for Additional £254m Investment from the Scottish government. Note part of that investment was for £20 million in infrastructure funding to unlock housing sites that are of strategic importance to the local authorities. Note the development Land at Inchgarth Road, Cults, Aberdeen 181/224/PPP cannot be taken forward until such time as a link road is built. instruct the Chief Officer - Capital to work with the parties that have control over the land to unlock this strategically important site supported by the Access to the south study and agreed as part of the Strategic Infrastructure plan for Aberdeen City Council. Instruct the Chief Officer - Capital to investigate the options for entering into a legally binding contract with the parties that have control over the site to build the much-needed strategically important link road on the basis that the capital costs for the link road are repaid by the parties that have control over the land once it is developed. Agree to put £5m into the Capital plan for this purpose;

VIII.         note the signed agreement of the Aberdeen City Region Deal by the Council Leader, the UK government and the Scottish Government in 2015;

  IX.         note the commitment given by both governments in relation to transport. Agree that as both governments agreed to work with the local authority to explore how the Strategic Investment will be prioritised instruct the Chief Executive to explore financial assistance from the Scottish Government to deliver the Wellington Road Multimodal Corridor and to report back on the outcome of the discussion in August 2022;

    X.         note, that having given due regard to the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy and financial information in relation to 2021/22, as recommended in the report, agree the Capital Programme for the City Centre Masterplan (CCMP) no longer has funding support for the next phase of development at Mither Kirk (£358,000) and His Majesty’s Theatre (HMT) (£225,000) restoring £583,000 to the programme;

  XI.         instruct the Chief Executive to arrange for a soft opening of Union Terrace Gardens on 26th April 2022;

 

Medium-Term Financial Projections

XII.         note the forecast medium-term financial projection for the period ending 31 March 2027 as shown in paragraph 3.36 of the report;

XIII.         note that the Scottish Government has stated the intention to publish a Resource Spending Review in May 2022;

XIV.         agree the important context of climate change and in particular the Net Zero Aberdeen Routemap and associated place based strategies that are in line with the Net Zero Vision to achieve the goal of a Net Zero Aberdeen by 2045, as approved by Council on 28 February 2022 (COM/22/054);

XV.         agree that the National Care Service consultation that took place during 2021/22 has potential to significantly impact local services, Council duties, obligations and funding as per 3.86 of this report and should be resisted;

XVI.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to refresh the Medium Term Financial Strategy and report to Full Council by the end of August 2022;

XVII.         instruct the Chief Executive to report to Full Council, by the end of August 2022, on a refreshed Target Operating Model, to address the challenges of the next 5 years;

 

Revenue Budget Recommendations

XVIII.         note that the conditions outlined by the Scottish Government within the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2022/23 are met by the proposals set out in the report;

XIX.         having due regard to the contents of the report, background papers, and appendices and taken advice from the Chief Officer - Finance in relation to the use of non-recurring funding, specifically in respect of Fiscal Flexibilities and use of Reserves; and had due regard to protected characteristics and how the authority could reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage in terms of the Equality Act 2010, approve the use of various savings options to set at least a balanced budget for financial year 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 3 of the motion  and the schedule of fees and charges in Appendix 5 of the motion;

XX.         approve the Commissioning Intentions and Service Standards as described in Appendices 11 and 12 of the report, respectively, subject to any amendments approved as per point XIX above, noting that the Chief Officer – Finance has confirmed that the Commissioning Intentions being implemented are consistent with the draft budget for 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Strategy;

XXI.         approve the level of funding for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership IJB 2022/23 to meet the conditions of the Scottish Government Financial Settlement, described in paragraphs 3.96 and 3.101 to 3.106 of the report, and as shown in Appendix 4 of the motion noting that it will be for the IJB itself to determine how it will balance its budget;

XXII.         approve the fees and charges for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership IJB, as shown in Appendix 5 of the motion;

XXIII.         approve the level of funding for the Council’s other group entities and Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEOs), in 2022/23 as shown in Appendix 4 of the motion;

XXIV.         approve the continued delegation of authority to the Chief Officer - Finance to approve the allocation of Covid19 related funding retained as an earmarked General Fund reserve at 31 March 2022, and any further sums distributed to the Council, to meet need and demand or to cover for lost income where it arises during 2022/23, reporting the use of funds to the City Growth and Resources Committee in the quarterly financial performance reports;

XXV.         note the Council’s approach towards meeting the target of 1% of revenue funding being available for Participatory Budgeting, paragraph 3.83 of the report, and instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to report to a future meeting of the Operational Delivery Committee on the impact of Participatory Budgeting in Aberdeen;

XXVI.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to give notice to the Board of Directors of NYOP Education (Aberdeen) Ltd to disburse £387,000 to Sport Aberdeen and £130,000 to VSA, being nominated charities of NYOP;

XXVII.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to recover the full costs associated with being the Administering Authority of the North East Scotland Pension Fund from the Pension Fund;

XXVIII.         note that the income from Bus Lane Enforcements (BLE) is estimated to result in £700,000 of uncommitted funds at year end.  Therefore instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to update the Bus Lane Enforcement (BLE) programme to commit £360,000 to support the revenue costs of the Low Emission Zone for 2022/23 and 2023/24;

XXIX.         agree to allocate £1,000,000 for an Aberdeen Fuel Poverty Fund to help the most vulnerable in our community with energy costs and instruct the Chief Officers - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment and Customer Experience to prepare the details of a scheme in a report for approval by Full Council at its meeting in June 2022;

XXX.         allocate funding of £250,000 to expand the successful Tillydrone 'Hit Squad' initiative, across the city to address Fly Tipping;

XXXI.         instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to explore cost neutral options to supplement the enforcement of fly tipping, littering and dog fouling and implement a 12 month test of change and report back to Operational Delivery Committee with a full evaluation of the test of change;

XXXII.         note the success of the COP26 Senior Pupil Conference held within the Town House on 3^rd March 2022. Recognise that the young people of Aberdeen are passionate about climate change and want to help drive the Net Zero Agenda, therefore agrees to allocate £150,000 to fund projects they prioritise as part of their action plan;

XXXIII.         note Council's support for both the Sustainable Food Places Partnership in Aberdeen City (SFPPA) and the Glasgow Declaration on Food and Climate Change and agree an allocation of £50,000, for the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to ensure our commitment to the Glasgow Declaration on food and climate change is delivered in full;

XXXIV.         agree to continue our policy of no compulsory redundancies;

XXXV.         note that there has been no monies provided to the Gomel Trust since 2018/19 and agree no funding be allocated for financial year 2022/23;

XXXVI.         agree that this budget contains the following recommendations:

·       No increase to Garden waste charge

·       No increase to car parking permits

·       No reduction in hours of street lighting

·       Continued funding for the Care and Repair Service.

·       No increase in fees and charges for Aberdeen residents unless enforced by the Scottish Government.

·       No cut to Fairer Aberdeen Fund

·       No cut to community project funding

·       No cut to community centre development programme funding

·       No cut to grant provision to equalities organisations

·       No cut to revenue grant to SHMU

·       No closures of Libraries

·       No cut to SISTEMA funding

·       No increase to school meals charges

·       No cuts to our cultural programme

·       No reduction in subsidised bus services

·       No reduction in funding to maintenance of parks and gardens, and associated ancillary services

·       No closure of public toilets

·       Retain pets corner at Hazlehead Park

·       Maintaining free breakfasts, free fruit and milk in primary schools

·       Retaining all priority 1 school crossing patrol services

·       No increase in fees and charges through the Aberdeen City Health and Social Care IJB.

 

Taxation Recommendations

XXXVII.         approve a Band D equivalent Council Tax rate of £1,418.62 excluding Water charges (3.0% increase), with effect from 1 April 2022, noting that the impact of Scottish Government Council Tax reform which places additional burden on tax payers in valuation Bands E to H, amounting to £130.04 (Band E), £256.14 (Band F), £413.76 (Band G) and £638.38 (Band H) in 2022/23 as shown in Table 1. below;

XXXVIII.         impose and levy Council Tax assessments for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 on all chargeable dwellings in Aberdeen City to be paid by the persons liable therefor under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;

XXXIX.         agree to deduct the £150 for households in Council Tax Bands A-D and those eligible for Council Tax Reduction at source, and that this will be applied as a credit to Council Tax accounts in 2022/23;

XL.         note that the Council implements revisions to National Non-Domestic Rates as defined by the Scottish Government within the relevant legislation and Finance Circulars, with effect from 1 April 2022;

XLI.         impose and levy Non-Domestic Rates assessments for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 on all occupiers in Aberdeen City to be paid by those liable;

 

Common Good

XLII.         approve the Common Good budget for 2022/23 as detailed in the Common Good budget report, modified as detailed in Appendix 6 of the motion;

XLIII.         note this includes approval of £25,000 for providing support to Ukrainian refugees when they reach Aberdeen, having had to flee from their country following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to put in place arrangements to support them in the city; and

XLIV.         note the Common Good cash balances have increased by £27,370,000 over the last 10 years of this Administration as shown in Table 2. Below.

 

 

Table 1.

 

Table 2.

 

(Budgets associated with Councillor Houghton’s motion are available here)

 

Councillor Alex Nicoll moved as an amendment, seconded by Councillor Cameron:-

That the Council:

 

Balance Sheet

      I.         note the projected balance sheet position including the reserves as at 31 March 2022, shown at Appendix 1 of the report;

    II.         note the Council’s Financial Resilience Framework measures, included at Appendix 2 of the report and instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to continue the development of the Framework, reporting progress in the refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy;

   III.         approve the General Fund Capital Programme as attached at Appendix 1 of the Amendment;

  IV.         approve the Prudential Indicators as attached at Appendix 2 of the Amendment;

    V.         approve the Revenue and Capital Reserves Policy for 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report;

 

Medium-Term Financial Projections

  VI.         note the forecast medium-term financial projection for the period ending 31 March 2027 as shown in paragraph 3.36 of the report;

VII.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to refresh the Medium Term Financial Strategy and report to the Council by the end of August 2022;

VIII.         instruct the Chief Executive to report to the Council, by the end of August 2022, on a refreshed Target Operating Model, to address the challenges of the next 5 years.

 

Revenue Budget Recommendations

  IX.         note that the conditions outlined by the Scottish Government within the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2022/23 are met by the proposals set out in the report;

    X.         having due regard to the contents of the report, background papers and appendices and taken advice from the Chief Officer - Finance in relation to the use of non-recurring funding, specifically in respect of Fiscal Flexibilities and use of Reserves; and had due regard to protected characteristics and how the authority could reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage in terms of the Equality Act 2010, approve the use of various savings options to set at least a balanced budget for financial year 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 3 of the amendment and the schedule of fees and charges in Appendix 5 of the amendment;

  XI.         approve the Commissioning Intentions and Service Standards as described in Appendices 11 and 12 of the report, respectively, subject to any amendments approved as per point X above, noting that the Chief Officer - Finance has confirmed that the Commissioning Intentions being implemented are consistent with the draft budget for 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Strategy;

XII.         approve the level of funding for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership IJB 2022/23 to meet the conditions of the Scottish Government Financial Settlement, described in paragraphs 3.96 and 3.101 to 3.106 of the report, and as shown in Appendix 4 of the Amendment noting that it will be for the IJB itself to determine how it will balance its budget;

XIII.         approve the fees and charges for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership IJB, as shown in Appendix 5 of the amendment;

XIV.         approve the level of funding for the Council’s other group entities and Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEOs), in 2022/23 as shown in Appendix 4 of the amendment, including maintaining funding in 2022/23 at current levels for Aberdeen Sports Village and Aberdeen Performing Arts, and increasing funding for Sport Aberdeen by £275,000 for 2022/23 only;

XV.         approve the continued delegation of authority to the Chief Officer - Finance to approve the allocation of Covid19 related funding retained as an earmarked General Fund reserve at 31 March 2022, and any further sums distributed to the Council, to meet need and demand or to cover for lost income where it arises during 2022/23, reporting the use of funds to the City Growth and Resources Committee in the quarterly financial performance reports;

XVI.         note the Council’s approach towards meeting the target of 1% of revenue funding being available for Participatory Budgeting, paragraph 3.83 of the report, and instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to report to a future Council meeting on the impact of Participatory Budgeting in Aberdeen;

XVII.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to give notice to the Board of Directors of NYOP Education (Aberdeen) Ltd to disburse £387,000 to Sport Aberdeen and £130,000 to VSA, being nominated charities of NYOP;

XVIII.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to recover the full costs associated with being the Administering Authority of the North East Scotland Pension Fund from the Pension Fund;

XIX.         instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to prepare for and consult on alternatives to the current parking zones, including three zones, and report back to the City Growth and Resources Committee by summer 2023;

XX.         note that the income from Bus Lane Enforcements (BLE) is estimated to result in £700,000 of uncommitted funds at year end.  Therefore instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to update the BLE      programme to commit £360,000 to support the revenue costs of the Low Emission Zone for 2022/23 and 2023/24;

 

Taxation Recommendations

XXI.         approve a Band D equivalent Council Tax rate of £1,407.60 excluding Water charges (2.2% increase), with effect from 1 April 2022;

XXII.         impose and levy Council Tax assessments for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 on all chargeable dwellings in Aberdeen City to be paid by the persons liable therefor under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;

XXIII.         note the Scottish Government’s announcement of £150 for households in Council Tax Bands A-D and those eligible for Council Tax Reduction, and that this will be applied as a credit to Council Tax accounts in 2022/23;

XXIV.         note that the Council implements revisions to National Non-Domestic Rates as defined by the Scottish Government within the relevant legislation and Finance Circulars, with effect from 1 April 2022;

XXV.         impose and levy Non-Domestic Rates assessments for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 on all occupiers in Aberdeen City to be paid by those liable.

 

Common Good

XXVI.         approve the Common Good budget for 2022/23 as detailed in the Common Good budget report, modified as detailed in Appendix 6 of the amendment; and

XXVII.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to prepare a report to a future meeting of Full Council with options for improving the effective management, distribution and use of the Common Good resources for the benefit of everyone in the city.  This should include application process, criteria for recurring funding and further guidance on eligibility, as well as a description of reporting responsibilities of those in receipt of funding.

 

(Budgets associated with Councillor Alex Nicoll’s amendment are available here)

 

Councillor Yuill moved as a further amendment, seconded by Councillor Delaney:-

That the Council:

 

Balance Sheet

      I.         note the projected balance sheet position including the reserves as at 31 March 2022, shown at Appendix 1 of the report;

    II.         note the Council’s Financial Resilience Framework measures, included at Appendix 2 of the report and instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to continue the development of the Framework, reporting progress in the refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy;

   III.         approve the General Fund Capital Programme as attached at Appendix 1 of the Amendment;

  IV.         note that included in the revised General Fund Capital Programme is:

-       £24.4 million for Torry Primary School and Hub

-       £2 million for the Bucksburn Academy extension

-       £17 million for the St. Peter’s Primary School relocation

-       £3 million for early learning and childcare at St. Joseph’s School

-       £16 million for additional investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure

-       £2 million to extend 20mph zones to all residential areas in Aberdeen

-       £1.9 million for the Inchgarth Community Centre extension

-       £14 million of additional investment in road and pavement resurfacing and repairs

-       The creation of a Road Safety Fund with an annual capital budget of £0.5 million

    V.         approve the Prudential Indicators as attached at Appendix 2 of the amendment;

  VI.         approve the Revenue and Capital Reserves Policy for 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 6 of the report;

VII.         instruct the Chief Executive to arrange for a soft opening of Union Terrace Gardens on 26th April 2022;

 

Medium-Term Financial Projections

VIII.         note the forecast medium-term financial projection for the period ending 31 March 2027 as shown in paragraph 3.36 of the report;

  IX.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to refresh the Medium Term Financial Strategy and report to the Council by the end of August 2022;

    X.         instruct the Chief Executive to report to the Council, by the end of August 2022, on a refreshed Target Operating Model, to address the challenges of the next 5 years;

  XI.         agree that the National Care Service consultation that took place during 2021/22 has potential to significantly impact local services, Council duties, obligations and funding as per 3.86 of this report and should be resisted;

Revenue Budget Recommendations

XII.         note that the conditions outlined by the Scottish Government within the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2022/23 are met by the proposals set out in the report;

XIII.         having due regard to the contents of the report, background papers and appendices and taken advice from the Chief Officer - Finance in relation to the use of non-recurring funding, specifically in respect of Fiscal Flexibilities and use of Reserves; and had due regard to protected characteristics and how the authority could reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage in terms of the Equality Act 2010, approve the use of various savings options to set at least a balanced budget for financial year 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix 3 of the amendment and the schedule of fees and charges in Appendix 5 of the amendment;

XIV.         approve the Commissioning Intentions and Service Standards as described in Appendices 11 and 12 of the report, respectively, subject to any amendments approved as per point XII above, noting that the Chief Officer - Finance has confirmed that the Commissioning Intentions being implemented are consistent with the draft budget for 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Strategy;

XV.         approve the level of funding for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership IJB 2022/23 to meet the conditions of the Scottish Government Financial Settlement, described in paragraphs 3.96 and 3.101 to 3.106 of the report, and as shown in Appendix 4 of the amendment noting that it will be for the IJB itself to determine how it will balance its budget;

XVI.         approve the fees and charges for the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership IJB, as shown in Appendix 5 of the amendment;

XVII.         approve the level of funding for the Council’s other group entities and Arm’s Length External Organisations (ALEOs), in 2022/23 as shown in Appendix 4 of the amendment;

XVIII.         approve the continued delegation of authority to the Chief Officer - Finance to approve the allocation of Covid19 related funding retained as an earmarked General Fund reserve at 31 March 2022, and any further sums distributed to the Council, to meet need and demand or to cover for lost income where it arises during 2022/23, reporting the use of funds to the City Growth and Resources Committee in the quarterly financial performance reports;

XIX.         note the Council’s approach towards meeting the target of 1% of revenue funding being available for Participatory Budgeting, paragraph 3.83 of the report, and instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to report to a future Council meeting on the impact of Participatory Budgeting in Aberdeen;

XX.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to give notice to the Board of Directors of NYOP Education (Aberdeen) Ltd to disburse £387,000 to Sport Aberdeen and £130,000 to VSA, being nominated charities of NYOP;

XXI.         instruct the Chief Officer - Finance to recover the full costs associated with being the Administering Authority of the North East Scotland Pension Fund from the Pension Fund;

XXII.         note that the Lang Stracht already forms part of the A944 corridor study options appraisal as part of the Bus Partnership Fund and Instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning  to report to the next meeting of the Operational Delivery Committee with shorter term interim options available to improve traffic flow along the length of the Lang Stracht (A944 West of North Anderson Drive);

XXIII.         to note that the income from Bus Lane Enforcements (BLE) is estimated to result in £700,000 of uncommitted funds at year end.  Therefore instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to update the Bus Lane Enforcement (BLE) programme to commit a further £100,000 to enhance supported bus services, £400,000 to increase investment in Cycling, Walking and Safer Routes and £200,000 to support core paths, with a programme of works being developed for these in line with the agreed governance arrangements and application process;

XXIV.         instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to report to a future meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee on the feasibility and costs of installing ground source heat pumps into areas of open ground owned by the Council (such as playing fields and parks), selling the energy generated and so creating both an environmental benefit and a financial return for the Council;

XXV.         instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to report to a future meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee on how the soft landscaping along the routes of the former trunk roads in Aberdeen could be enhanced to create feature areas, with particular emphasis on rose planting, to provide a sustainable improvement to the visual amenity of those routes and what the capital and revenue implications of this would be;

XXVI.         instruct the Chief Officer - Operations and Protective Services to report to the City Growth and Resources Committee on how open areas, formerly maintained as close mown grass, could be best be managed to sustainably enhance biodiversity and what impact that would have on the revenue budget in future years

XXVII.         instruct the Chief Officer - Corporate Landlord to report to a future meeting of the City Growth and Resources Committee on the feasibility and costs of reopening Hazlehead Swimming Pool, noting that a budget of £10,000 has been included in the budget for survey works;

XXVIII.         instruct the Chief Officer - Strategic Place Planning to report to the City Growth and Resources Committee on the cost of improving core path 64;

XXIX.         agree to continue our policy of no compulsory redundancies;

XXX.         note that there has been no monies provided to the Gomel Trust since 2018/19 and agree no funding be allocated for financial year 2022/23;

 

Taxation Recommendations

XXXI.         approve a Band D equivalent Council Tax rate of £1,422.75 excluding Water charges (3.3% increase), with effect from 1 April 2022;

XXXII.         impose and levy Council Tax assessments for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 on all chargeable dwellings in Aberdeen City to be paid by the persons liable therefor under the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended by the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;

XXXIII.         note the Scottish Government’s announcement of £150 for households in Council Tax Bands A-D and those eligible for Council Tax Reduction, and that this will be applied as a credit to Council Tax accounts in 2022/23;

XXXIV.         note that the Council implements revisions to National Non-Domestic Rates as defined by the Scottish Government within the relevant legislation and Finance Circulars, with effect from 1 April 2022;

XXXV.         impose and levy Non-Domestic Rates assessments for the period 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 on all occupiers in Aberdeen City to be paid by those liable;

 

Common Good

XXXVI.         approve the Common Good budget for 2022/23 as detailed in the Common Good budget report, modified as detailed in Appendix 6 of the amendment;

XXXVII.         note that to be added is approval of £25,000 for providing support to Ukrainian refugees when they reach Aberdeen, having had to flee from their country following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia (to be funded by reducing the Common Good Fund cash balances from £515,000 to £490,000) and instruct the Chief Officer - Early Intervention and Community Empowerment to put in place arrangements to support them in the city; and

XXXVIII.         instruct the Chief Officer - City Growth to report to the City Growth and Resources Committee on options for the use of the £150,000 allocated for Christmas and festive activities, to include a city centre Christmas market for local makers, crafters and producers and community based Christmas and festive events.

 

(Budgets associated with Councillor Yuill’s amendment are available here)

 

The Lord Provost advised that budget proposals which had been put forward by Councillor Boulton had been withdrawn.

 

During the course of their summing up, Councillors Yuill, Alex Nicoll and Laing reiterated their thanks to the officers who had assisted them with their budgets, and paid tribute to the elected members who were not seeking re-election and wished them well in their future endeavours.

 

There being a motion and two amendments, the Council first divided between the amendment by Councillor Alex Nicoll and the amendment by Councillor Yuill.

 

On a division, there voted:-

 

For the amendment by Councillor Alex Nicoll  (19)  -  Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Cameron, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Jackie Dunbar MSP, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Alex Nicoll, Audrey Nicoll MSP, Noble, Radley and Townson.

 

For the amendment by Councillor Yuill  (3)  -  Councillors Delaney, Greig and Yuill.

 

Declined to vote  (23)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Bell, Boulton, Cross, Donnelly, Lesley Dunbar, Duncan, Graham, Grant, Houghton, Imrie, John, Laing, Lumsden MSP, Macdonald, MacKenzie, Malik, Mason, Reynolds, Sellar and Wheeler.

 

The Council then divided between the motion and the amendment by Councillor Alex Nicoll.

 

On a division, there voted:-

 

For the motion  (22)  -  Lord Provost; Depute Provost; and Councillors Allan, Bell, Cross, Donnelly, Lesley Dunbar, Duncan, Graham, Grant, Houghton, Imrie, John, Laing, Lumsden MSP, Macdonald, MacKenzie, Malik, Mason, Reynolds, Sellar and Wheeler.

 

For the amendment by Councillor Alex Nicoll  (19)  -  Councillors Al-Samarai, Allard, Alphonse, Cameron, Cooke, Copland, Cormie, Jackie Dunbar MSP, Henrickson, Hutchison, MacGregor, McLellan, McRae, Mennie, Alex Nicoll, Audrey Nicoll MSP, Noble, Radley and Townson.

 

Declined to vote  (4)  -  Councillors  Boulton, Delaney, Greig and Yuill.

 

The Council resolved:-

to adopt the motion.