Agenda and minutes

The Provost asked Members if they had any interests to declare in terms of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.  The following declarations of interest and transparency statements were made:

(1)  Councillor Evison made a transparency statement in respect of Item 4 by virtue of being the Chair of NHS Grampian and also by virtue of being a member of the Unite Trade Union. Having applied the objective test, Councillor Evison concluded that she would remain and participate in the meeting during consideration of the item.

(2)  Councillor Brown made a transparency statement in respect of Item 4 by virtue of being the Chair of Upper Deeside Amateur Swimming Club. Having applied the objective test, Councillor Brown concluded that she would remain and participate in the meeting during consideration of the item.

(3)  Councillor Payne made a transparency statement in respect of Item 6 by virtue of his employment which is detailed in his Register of Interests. Having applied the objective test, Councillor Payne concluded that he would remain and participate in the meeting during consideration of the item.

(4)  Councillor Victor declared an interest in Item 7 by virtue of being the subject of the report. Having applied the objective test, Councillor Victor confirmed that she would leave the meeting and take no part in the Item.

In taking decisions on the undernoted items of business, the Committee agreed, in terms of Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010:-

(1)       To have due regard to the need to:-

(a)  eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation;

(b)  advance equality and opportunity between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and

(c)  foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and persons who do not share it, and

(2)       to consider, where an Integrated Impact Assessment has been provided, its contents and to take those into consideration when reaching a decision.

There had been circulated and was approved as a correct record the Minute of the Meeting of Aberdeenshire Council of 18 January 2024.

There had been circulated a report by the Director of Business Services which contained information from the Head of Finance providing financial information to enable the Council to set its Revenue and Capital Budgets for the financial year 2024/25 and indicative budgets for financial years 2025/26 to 2028/29. The report set out that the budget reflected a Council Tax Freeze and provided information to allow the Council to also approve the proposed Reserves, Treasury Management and Medium Term Financial Strategies. Furthermore, the report set out proposals in relation to all Council fees and charges for Council to consider and approve.

Prior to consideration of the Item, the Provost indicated that a Request to Speak had been received from a Member of the Public. The Provost confirmed that in terms of Standing Order 6.3 and the remit of Council, the Request to Speak was competent and relevant and confirmed that therefore, it was for Council to determine whether to hear the Request to Speak.

Having heard from Councillors Owen and Petrie, who both made reference to the widely publicised engagement with the public with comments received having been already considered by Councillors, the Council agreed to refuse the Request to Speak.

Councillor Owen, as Leader of the Council, introduced the budget proposals for the administration group, as outlined in the report, making reference to delivering essential services and supporting local communities in a financially responsible way, the challenges with single year settlements from the Scottish Government and the Council Tax freeze, the challenges of the current costs of providing public services and the need to focus on directing resources to the greatest areas of need while achieving a balanced budget. Reference was also made to looking at the Council Plan to ensure that priorities are continuing to meet the needs of our communities, that there is a commitment to a programme of transformation to ensure services are sustainable in the future and to continue working closely with communities during financially challenging times. Furthermore, reference was made to the importance of Integrated Impact Assessments accompanying each proposal for change which allowed careful consideration to be given to the impacts of proposed savings.

Thereafter, Councillor Owen moved, seconded by Councillor Stirling, approval of the budget proposals by the Administration Group as set out in the circulated report and as detailed in Appendices 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11A, 12, 12A and 13 to the report and that Council –

Settlement

(1)  Agree acceptance of the funding package from the Scottish Government which includes £7.963 million for the acceptance of a Council Tax Freeze in Appendix 1, subject to Parliamentary approval of the Scottish Government Budget;

Medium Term Financial Strategy

(2)  Agree the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) as detailed in Appendix 2;

Capital Budget

(3)  Agree the 5-year Capital Plan for 2024/25 to 2028/29 and the indicative high-level capital spend and funding estimates that fall within the affordability limits set out in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

There had been circulated a report dated 8 January 2024 by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services which provided information on the proposed Housing Revenue Account revenue and capital budgets for the financial year 2024/25 including indicative budgets for 2025/26 to 2028/29.

Councillor Stirling introduced the proposals making reference to positive engagement with tenants and the wider community to inform options, the challenges associated with affordable housing and the positive work of officers in the service.

Thereafter, Councillor Stirling moved, seconded by Councillor Reynolds approval of the proposals contained within the report and appendices 1, 2 and 3 of the Report. The Council agreed:

(1)  to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue and capital budgets for 2024/25 as outlined in Appendices 1 and 3, including indicative budgets for 2025/26 to 2028/29, subject to annual review of charges;

(2)  to maintain a working balance of £2m;

(3)  to reinstate the HRA Risk & Inflation Reserve to £0.3m;

(4)  to increase Council House average weekly rents by 5% from 1^st April 2024, with an annual review thereafter for 2025/26; and

(5)  to revise other HRA charges and allowances as detailed in Appendix 2.

There had been circulated a report dated 9 February 2024 by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure Services which contained proposals for the Council’s Carbon Budget for 2024/25. The report identified projects which will reduce operational emissions as the Council progresses with its interim target of 75% reduction in emissions by 2030 (from its 2010-2011 baseline). The report further outlined the progress made to date by the Council in reducing its internal operational emissions.

Councillor Gifford introduced the proposals making reference to the challenges of funding, the fact that this was a strategic priority in the Council plan, the Route Map and the work of Officers in reaching this stage.

Councillor Gifford moved, seconded by Councillor Taylor, to agree the recommendations as contained with the report. The Council agreed:

(1)  a total Carbon Budget of 40,921 tonnes CO2e for 2024/25 as set out in Table 1 in Appendix 1;

(2)  future Carbon Budgets for 2024/25 to 2030/31 on a provisional basis as set out in Table 2 in Appendix 1;

(3)  the Carbon Budget 2024/25 reduction measures as set out in Appendix 2 and 3, noting that due to the financial constraints, at this stage, the measures will not fully meet the carbon budget target for 2024/25;

(4)  to delegate the responsibility to each Director to secure reduction totals for their areas of responsibility as set out in the interventions listed in Appendix 2 and 3, including consideration of additional opportunities for CO2e savings to support reaching a Carbon Budget of 40,921tCO2e for 2024/25 and the reduction totals for each Directorate as set out in Table 3 Appendix 1;

(5)  to note the risks set out in Appendix 4; and

(6)  to instruct each Director to nominate officers from across their services as Carbon Budget leads to report in year progress at 6 monthly intervals to the relevant Policy Committees and to the Sustainability Committee.

There had been circulated a report dated 14 February 2024 by the Director of Business Services which provided Council with information allowing them to note the change in political affiliation of a Councillor and invited them to consider the impact of the change on the composition of the Committees.