COMHAIRLE NAN EILEAN SIAR

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minute of Meeting held in the Council Offices, Stornoway, on Thursday 12 February 2004 at 2.00pm 

 

PRESENT

Mr Angus Campbell (Chairman)

 

 

Mr Norman A Macdonald (Vice-Chairman)

 

 

Mr Alexander A Macdonald

Mr Norman M Macleod

 

Mr Malcolm J Graham

Mrs Morag Munro

 

Mr Angus Nicolson

Mr Archie K Campbell

 

Mr Murdo Macleod

Mr Donald Maclean

 

Mr Norman L Macdonald

Mr Donald Manford

 

Budget Strategy and Council Tax 2004 – 05 and 2006 – 07

1

The Vice-Convener outlined the background to the setting of the Council Tax and the Budget Process.  The Vice-Convener presented his first budget of the new Comhairle.  In his statement, the Vice-Convener paid tribute to the work of his predecessor Mr Roderick Murray and thanked him for his work over the last four years.  He referred to the financial planning cycle of the Comhairle from 2003 to 2007 and the plans to invest in the following ongoing services:

 

      over £4.0m for joint Scottish Executive and CoSLA priorities;

      £3.4m into improving pay, which will percolate into all aspects of the Island economy;

      an extra £1.15m in the care of our elderly and infirm;

      £930k in community priorities;

      £700k into running new leisure centres in Lewis and Harris;

      £200k into the running of a new Arts Centre in Stornoway.

 

 

 

The Vice-Convener also referred to the annual spend on maintenance of existing roads, schools and other facilities and the fact that this would increase from £3m per annum to £6.15m per annum and indicated that the Comhairle would spend over £20m extra over the next four years in constructing or improving the assets of the Community.

 

Thanks were extended to Alasdair Morrison, MSP, and Calum Macdonald, MP, for their support and assistance and tribute was paid to the work of Western Isles Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. 

 

In conclusion, the Vice-Convener, stated that he believed that the budget offered real improvements in services and a programme of innovative capital investment, whilst at the same time offering value for money to the people of the Western Isles and that improvements in the quality of life for people across the islands would be put in place and that the Comhairle would continue to work with its Community Planning partners for the benefit of the Western Isles.

 

 

 

The Director of Finance submitted a Report concerning approval of the draft budget for 2004-05 and setting out the budget strategy for 2005-07, the Council Tax for 2004-05 and the indicative Council Tax for 2005-06 and 2006-07.

 

 

It was agreed to recommend that:

 

(1)        the draft budget at Section 4 of the Budget Folder, including uses of the Contingency budget, the savings in Social Work (Appendix D, and £14,500 for Volunteer Centre Western Isles be approved;

 

(2)        the Director of Social Work submit a Report to the April series of meetings, workable proposals to ensure that the Social Work expenditure remains within budget;

 

(3)        the strategy for 2005-07 be agreed for planning purposes;

 

(4)        the Council Tax for 2004-05 be set at £911 for Band D properties;

 

(5)        indicative Council Tax levels for 2005-06 and 2006-07 be set at £956 and £999 respectively; and

 

(6)        the revenue budgets of the Service Committees in terms of Standing Order 62, be approved.

 

 

Draft Budget Book 2004/05

2

The Director of Finance submitted details of the Draft Budget Book for 2004/05.

 

 

 

It was agreed to recommend approval of the recommendations detailed in the Report.