Agenda item

Presentation followed by a facilitated discussion.

3.1       The Chairman introduced the Council’s Chief Financial Officer, David Robertson, who was in attendance to give a presentation on the preparation of the Budget and to answer questions.  He firstly gave the context to the Budget, explaining that in the 5 year plan 2013/14 to 2017/18 permanent recurrent savings of over £35 million had been delivered and a further in year savings of £8.8 million.  Easy reductions had been made and future savings would rely on greater use of technology to reduce costs and redesign of services.  The Council could not continue to deliver everything presently provided in the same way and the scope and scale of delivery may need to be reduced.  Over the next 5 years it was estimated that the Council’s projected spend would be £1.3 billion.  2019/20 would be the 2nd year of the 5 year plan first agreed in 2018/19 which required savings of £32 million over 5 years to balance the books.  The Council had planned for reductions over the longer term, invested in transformation and avoided the need for the levels of cuts seen in other authority areas.  However there were greater challenges ahead which required innovation and the delivery of an ambitious change programme. 

  3.2     Mr Robertson went on to show slides to illustrate the source of Council Revenue Funding, and to project estimated budget gap over the next 5 years.  The current incremental gap for 2019/20 was £2,557,000.  Charts disclosing the allocation of revenue by Department demonstrated that the highest proportion (43%) of spend was on Children & Young People followed by Health and Social Care (18%). In the 10 year capital spending plan the highest proportion (67%) was on Assets & Infrastructure.  There was less money available to fund public services and demand on services was growing – particularly in respect of care for older people.  The presentation referred to ways for the Council to modernise and become more efficient.  In terms of services, over the next 5 years it was planned to maximise the use of digital technology; drive out waste and inefficiency; and invest in assets and infrastructure in a planned and sustainable way. Also summarised, as part of the 5 year plan, were ways the Council proposed to promote independent achieving people; support a thriving economy with opportunities for everyone; and facilitate empowered vibrant communities. 

3.3       In response to a question about whether the Council could encourage the use of brownfield sites for development by the purchase of sites and unlocking private investment, Mr Robertson advised that although money could be borrowed effectively there was a limitation on the Councils powers of compulsory purchase. The Council would, however, be keen to attract external income to develop these sites. There was further discussion on transport issues with the request for the Council to put pressure on Scotrail for a full rail service to Stow.  The point was made about the importance of investment in roads and support of bus services in addition to the ambition to extend the railway to Carlisle. It was very likely that fewer people would use the bus if the railway was extended.  The Council should ensure the provision of reasonable transport for everyone.  In response Mr Robertson explained that the Council currently provided in excess of £1 million per year in the form of bus subsidies.  He emphasised that the budget was about choices and that this was why the views of the public about priorities for spending were important.  He concluded by outlining the ways to provide feedback into the Budget process, either online to https://scotborders.dialogue-app.com by email to budgetteam@scotborders.gov.uk, on social media #bordersbudget  or by post or telephone.

3.4       Following the presentation, officers joined Elected Members, partners and the public at their tables for a discussion on the Budget and spending priorities.  Sheets with additional information on Council services and a short series of questions had been provided on the tables to aid the debate.  A summary of the output of the discussion is provided as an appendix to this minute.