I would like to thank Norman Macdonald, chief accountant, Malcolm Burr, Robert Emmottt, Derek Mackay for their help and patience over the last few months in what ended up being a small window of opportunity to0 put forward an amendment (or alternative budget as the chief executive likes to call it).
We have been guided primarily by the report
(https://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/uploads/docs/report/2019/aar_1819_comhairle.pdf )
by Audit Scotland on the Comhairle that was presented to the Audit committee in September last year. A hugely important document that makes some excellent points, giving us a steer in issues and risks they see.
The number one risk (p28 on Audit report) is that, I quote:
"contingencies and centrally held budgets have been sett too high"
- this is the number one risk,
They go on to say:
"centrally held resources underspent at the year end by £1.2 million, these generally underspend each year
2018/19 - £2 million
2017/18 - £1.7 million
2016/17 - £2.1 million
We are underspending public money and cutting services. Just let that sink in and our contingencies have been flagged up by external audit as too high!
They recommend that contingencies should be reconsidered as part of the next budget setting which is now - and we absolutely agree.
We underspend on one hand and on the other raise our council tax by the maximum - NOT because we need to but because we CAN. Our group feel this is wrong and I'm sure when you think about it , you do too.
The leader talks about doing "more for less" but this is surely "doing less for more".
We need to reduce our (cash) balancers and why not offset these balances against the cuts being offered up by the leader and his chairs group or whoever.
These cuts are going to affect our people in our communities, our children, our vulnerable - yes, there are impact assessments but why not remove those assessments until after a complete assessment is made and brought back to council.
Instead, this new money (cash from the SG / Green agreement totalling £729,000) is looking like its going straight into balances. Why the desire to make cuts when we have money.
I suppose the argument presented will talk about putting it away for a rainy day.
Members, these cuts will cause a crisis in households along with a council tax rise plus social housing rent increases - for this year, while we have the money, members , why are we putting our people in this position.
I am not against a council tax rise (in principle) but not when we have the money.
I am sure my colleague Councillor Calum Macmillan will discuss the dental service.
I want to mention Bethesda Hospice. This is a hugely vital service in our community. It is now approaching a year and still no agreement has been made for its funding.
This, members, is putting the whole service at risk. We know the Health Board have underfunded this important facility for eleven years relying on our community to plug the gap.
Bethesda need to plan for their long-term future.
Our community has one of the lowest average incomes in Scotland, and it has been hugely generous to Bethesda - what will happen when it closes? Will families fly off to hospices on the mainland?
Let us show our communities that we want Bethesda to continue providing our must vulnerable people with the best care possible - a fantastic service.
Members , this is a one year budget - a nightmare for long-term planning.
We have the money, lets put it to our services as our people, our communities would expect us to do.
I move this amendment.
