When times get tough...Your Council gets going

Why we made the decisions.

SCHOOL BUDGETS

School budgets were protected from budget cuts. Schools also received additional resources to help meet increases in fuel prices. A further £250,000 was given to the school supplies and services budget.

This is all part of our aim to give children the best possible start in life.

SUPPORT FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE

Edinburgh’s changing population means we have to provide more – and better – services for elderly and vulnerable citizens, helping them to make the most of their capability, dignity and independence.

ECONOMIC CHALLENGE

This budget builds on the steps already taken by the Council to support business and tackle problems associated with the worldwide recession.

We will respond to the problems facing the residents of Edinburgh, stimulate our economy and build for the future.

We want to attract new investment, support people into work, education or training and improve the speed of payments to small businesses.

COUNCIL HOUSE RENTS

Rents have to rise if we are to generate enough investment to bring our housing stock up to the Scottish Housing Quality Standard by 2015.

Rents from £61.95 to £65.48 per week will help us to spend £33.4 million on improvements such as new kitchens and bathrooms, replacement windows and central heating.

CYCLING

We are committed to encouraging people to cycle, increasing the proportion of journeys that can be made without cars.

We will do this by looking at how we can integrate our public transport system and encourage more sustainable travel choices.

We are also continuing to invest in high quality cycleways and cycle projects.

NEW CARE HOMES

Care homes continue to be the most appropriate setting for some of our most vulnerable older people.

This budget ensures that our care home provision will be of the highest standard providing the facilities and space required to best cater for residents’ needs.

Fact

The Council, by law, must include Scottish Water charges in your Council Tax bill. Although your Council Tax will stay the same, you will see an increase in your bill because of an increase of 3.7 per cent in water charges.
For more information, go to www.scottishwater.co.uk