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Safeguarded services

Council budget delivers support in tough economic times

For a third successive year, Council Tax has been frozen, which means that bills will stay the same for the year 2010/11.

The budget also delivers support for the people of Edinburgh in tough economic times. Hard choices were made to ensure the protection of frontline services as well as financially preparing the Council to deal with the challenges ahead.

Care of the city’s most vulnerable people and investment in education are at the heart of this year’s budget, which offers support for all ages, young and old.

About 72 per cent of the savings made will not impact directly on frontline services.

Why times are hard

The Council is facing a severe reduction in its budget over the next few years, which means times are going to get even tougher.

The unheard-of financial situation in the UK means the Council has to find £90 million of savings in the next three years. At the same time, people are living longer and there is an increase in the number of vulnerable children and adults who need support from Council services.

Action is already well under way in the Council to work smarter and modernise for the future.

Options being looked at are sharing services with other councils and, where appropriate, looking at other ways of delivering services.

Scottish Water charges for water and sewerage have been frozen this year.

Savings already made

2009/10: £26m
2010/11: £27m

Savings for the future

2011/12: £11.6m
2012/13: £7.4m.

Where the money comes from

The Council budget for 2010/11 is £1038.2 million. Council Tax makes up 22 per cent (£226.9m) of this, with 60 per cent coming from Government grants and 18 per cent from non-domestic rates.

How the decisions were made…

Schools budgets

Following the full protection of school budgets last year, a strong commitment to education remains a priority to ensure that every young person in Edinburgh has the opportunity to reach their full potential. An overall increase in school budgets by 2.6 per cent means another £5.2 million for schools.

Support for vulnerable people

Some extremely tough decisions were taken to ensure that we continue to protect frontline services and support the city’s most vulnerable residents.

An additional £3.2m has been set aside for vulnerable children and £3.7m for services for vulnerable adults.

Preparing for the future

Difficult economic times make it even more important to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances – such as flooding, loss of income, equal pay or increased demand on services. For this reason, the Council has put more money aside in the city’s reserves in line with Audit Scotland recommendations.

Protecting Edinburgh’s economy

A continued commitment to economic development will ensure Edinburgh’s long-term prosperity and help us to exceed the £350m worth of investment that the city attracted last year.

Thanks for your views

In the last issue of Outlook, readers gave their views on priorities, concerns for the future and most valued services.

These were considered in the budget decision-making project.

Those results also sparked off a citywide appeal from Council Leader Jenny Dawe for members of the public to contact her directly with their views.

Many of you did… and once again they were considered as the budget priorities were considered and set.

Many thanks to all who took part.

Where the money goes: promoting culture and sport

£37m to continue refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool
An additional £600,000 to fulfil our commitment to £2m capital works to the King’s Theatre
£2m for refurbishment of the Assembly Rooms
£660,000 investment in properties managed by Edinburgh Leisure over the next three years
£243,000 fabric renewal across the cultural and sporting estate

Where the money goes: improving the transport network

£2 million for projects to improve road safety and to promote walking and cycling
£18m to complete the flood protection works on the Braid Burn
£25m for phase 2 of the Water of Leith flood protection scheme
£2.8m for a new public transport route linking Craigmillar and the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary
Commitment to keeping Lothian Buses in public ownership

Where the money goes: Investing in education

Almost £1.3m over the next two years to implement class sizes of 18 in P1-P3 in our most deprived communities
£371,000 for early years services
£250,000 for supplies and services
£163,000 for smart metering technology to give schools greater control over their budgets
£41m for a new Portobello High School
£20m for a new James Gillespie’s High School