More of the same as ELC dips into reserves again
Kirsty Gibbins • Published 16 Feb 2012 09:29
31 Comments
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A FINANCIAL balancing act is being performed by East Lothian Council for a second year to weather the tough economic climate, after councillors approved a budget for 2012/13 which draws on more than £5 million of reserve funds.
As well as using £5.068 million of reserves the council has also chosen to transfer nearly £1 million of rental income from its Housing Revenue Account (HRA) to support expenditure on general services.
The administration's SNP and Lib Dem councillors say the financial juggling act will "protect key local services", while opposition members slammed the relocation of HRA funds as "shameful". They claimed "the pot will soon run dry" if the council keeps siphoning from its reserves to prevent extreme cost-cutting.
Funding levels for devolved schools management, services for the elderly and vulnerable, and funding for local groups are all to be maintained as part of the administration's spending package, which was approved at a special council meeting in Haddington on Tuesday.
New capital spending on the horizon includes a sports hall for Port Seton, a new community centre for Whitecraig, the refurbishment of Prestongrange Museum and new synthetic pitches for Dunbar and North Berwick.
However, staffing costs are to be significantly reduced across all departments (see story right) and a number of services, including education, are facing "redesigns" in order to make savings.
For example, £50,000 is to be shaved off the budget for adult resource centres through a "modernisation of adult day-care services" - including the closure of Mansfield Resource Centre in Musselburgh and the relocation of that service - and £50,000 from the reduced use of corporate transport services for day-care activities.
The continuing redesign of public toilet services will reduce the public conveniences budget by £74,000, as agency staff will no longer be hired to cover staff absences or holidays. The homeless strategy budget is also being cut by £41,000.
Councillor Paul McLennan (SNP), council leader, said: "Another key feature of our programme is our commitment to expand our apprenticeship programme. We will be investing a further £150,000 as well as redirecting existing funding in our community services budget to create more apprenticeships."
He added: "The council will also be investing £400,000 into the schools' exceptional needs budget, to assist children with complex educational needs.
"We will also be increasing partnership funding to local community groups by £53,000, as well as protecting the level of local grants provided through our Fairer and Safer East Lothian Funds and our miscellaneous grants budget."
The £5.068 million of reserves is being transferred from an available £6.910m pot, under the advice of David Spilsbury, the council's head of finance, who presented a three-year financial strategy to members.
His report stated: "The council faces a wide range of risks and an increasingly difficult financial environment. For general services, in the short and medium term expenditure is outstripping income. In the longer term, pension liabilities are increasing and should be funded now rather than passed on for future taxpayers.
"But these challenges are faced from a comparatively strong financial position. The council has a significant sum of reserves that it can use to deal with these challenges in the coming years so we can keep delivering for the service users and taxpayers of the future."
The local authority has previously announced that council tax bills in East Lothian will once again be frozen for 2012/13, with the Band D charge remaining at £1,117.62.
Lib Dem councillor Sheena Richardson, Provost and depute council leader, added: "The aim of our budget is to protect the key local services people depend on, while recognising the growing constraints on public finances.
That's why we have set out to make efficiency savings wherever possible while continuing to provide funding to assist our communities and protect the most vulnerable."
However, Councillor Norman Hampshire (Labour), said the new capital developments outlined in the budget were "false promises" made with the May elections in mind.
He said: "The SNP's capital programme is a wish list that makes false promises to the people of East Lothian. They provide no figures on what this programme will cost or the revenue consequences. This programme will mean even bigger cuts will be needed in education and adult social care."
The use of nearly £1 million of rental income to help balance the budget - believed to be an uncommon financial strategy for a local authority - sparked a heated debate.
Councillor Ludovic Broun-Lindsay (Conser-vative) blasted Councillor Stuart Currie (SNP), council housing spokesman.
"It's quite frankly unstable. Councillor Currie, you ought to be ashamed of yourself rather than sitting there rather smugly," said Mr Broun-Lindsay.
Councillor Willie Innes, Labour group leader, said: "The additional jobs and apprenticeships Councillor Currie is talking about won't be paid for by him. They will be paid for by council tenants. He's not prepared himself to pay towards the jobs he is lauding.
"Myself and Councillor Andy Forrest (Labour) [as council tenants] are the only two people in this room that will be paying towards these apprenticeships."
Twelve councillors voted in favour of the administration's budget proposals, with seven against and three abstentions.
Councillor Jacquie Bell (Lib Dem), who does not plan to stand for re-election, abstained from voting on all three budget proposals. Independent councillor John Caldwell was absent from the meeting.
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 16, 11:22
Report comment5 million from reserves only goes to demonstrate the SNP led adminstration has failed the people of East Lothian, what happens the next budget and the following budgets, how much reserves are actually left.
SNP CON what mess are they going to leave behind when Labour regain the council in May
Recommend?
Yes 5
No 8
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Coalface
Unregistered User
Feb 16, 12:21
Report commentLeader you couldn't balace your float in the bank never mind the councils budget!!
Natural wastage will never bring about the saving required, when you have more starts rather than leavers, oh and lets not talk about the overtime costs!!
PS when do we start with the compulsory redundancies, oh sorry started already with those that the Chief Executive doesn't like......
Spend the reserves like its your money!
So unbelievably short sighted with May in mind!!
Recommend? Yes 3
No 7
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 16, 13:11
Report commentCoalface
Classic
All this budget is about is "self preservation" The only natural wastage I want to see is when this SNP Administration are given their P45's in May.
However unlike many council employees they may still have a job to go to.
Recommend? Yes 5
No 6
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Pot Holes R Us
Unregistered User
Feb 16, 16:09
Report commentSocialist
well said, what happens when the reserves are run dry?
reserves are supposed to be there for a rainy day.
so when they run dry, will they need to make drastic cuts?
Recommend? Yes 4
No 1
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Coalface too
Unregistered User
Feb 16, 19:19
Report commentStop all the overtime, stop agency staff, stop recruiting, have an internal job market!
Stop the nonsense that allows a Chief Officer working a 3 day week in East Lothian and a two day week in Europe.
Get a letter out asking who all wants to go before you start with compulsory cuts that are needed.
Oh yes and get rid off all the waste of spaces that have been allowed to hide in departments for years. you all know who you are, starting with Directors!
In fact why don't you offer a staff poll Chief Executive i'm sure we could help you make the right decisions!!!!!!!
Recommend? Yes 5
No 0
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aj2017
Unregistered User
Feb 16, 19:51
Report commentAm I missing something or have ELC been fairly conservative to date with cost cutting and savings. Other Councils have been rutless,but seems to me ELC have been tryng to make saving elsewhere that staff redundancies. I mean maybe there will be mass redundancies but all up until last year this was said by head of administration as being last resort. Maybe the members have changed ther mind now and know something different, but unlike other Councils so far staff have not been that affected in relation to loosing jobs.....maybe that is to change???wrong.
Everyone seems to blame new chief ex, but she was appointed by members so they must have set her an agenda and keeping this very close to chest at moment.
Recommend? Yes 10
No 1
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Ruthless
Unregistered User
Feb 16, 20:23
Report commentAJ2017 maybe if we had been slightly more ruthless we wouldn't be dipping into reserves to meet the budget, and why should ELC be any different from any other local authority.
Yes its easy to blame the new chief executive because lets face it right or wrong she is the one slashing the management team of ELC who are surprisingly up for most improved local authority, which i,m sure she'll gladly take the plaudits for when its her managers and not directors who have achieved this!
And yes i agree she may well be following the administrations agenda but given May will be fast upon us would it not be more appropriate to wait and work with an administration with 5 years of an agenda rather thn one with 3 months to go!
Oh Chief Executive you had better start canvassing for the SNP because i feel if Labour get in you may find your coat on a shoogly peg.......
Recommend? Yes 2
No 5
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In the know
Unregistered User
Feb 16, 22:57
Report commentCan someone explain why Labour proposed cuts of 22% in grants council pays to support police teams in Musselburgh, Tranent and Prestonpans? Even worse was the Labour proposal to cut grants to groups such as Carers of East Lothian, Citizens Advice Bureau and disgracefully Carefree Kids in Tranent which would have had to close its doors. Labour budget was very clear - 5.49% in 2012 and 16.54% in 2013.
Recommend? Yes 7
No 1
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 08:15
Report commentTo all council staff
Do not be conned by the SNP, if they are in charge of ELC come May there will be huge changes in how they deliver council services.Privatisation.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 9
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Budget Facts
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 08:34
Report commentLabour has £1.1 million more of "efficiencies" in 2013. This will be job cuts, thankfully UNISON is on to Labour- they know that amount can't come from anywhere else. Shameful Labour job cuts!
Recommend? Yes 6
No 1
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 09:13
Report commentTo all council staff
I have no doubt that there has to be cuts, but like all organisations their is a right way to do things and a wrong way, Not by privitisation of council services.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 9
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iamfedup
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 09:32
Report commentA great way of saving money would be to get rid of all the folks working in the Council who think they have an automatic right to a job, think they are untouchable, regardless of the fact that they are not good at it but have plenty to say about everyone else. Weed out the rubbish from all the departments - watch how much money that saves!
Recommend? Yes 6
No 0
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 09:48
Report commentiamfedup
Your comments would be valid for any public or large private sector company, councils are not unique, no body now really believes they have an automatic right to a job, however if there is one thing councils need to do, that stop individuals condemning public sector workers( mostly low paid) is to become more customer focus.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 2
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 10:25
Report commentRuthless
"Taxi for the Chief Executive" and the " SNP Administration" Can I drive it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 8
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East of East Lothian
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 10:44
Report commentDoes athe councillors concerned actually think plundering nyone apart from the reserves in this way is a good idea ???
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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East of East Lothian
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 10:46
Report commentOoops, ignore the above. It should say....
Does anyone apart from the councillors concerned think plundering the reserves in this way is a good idea??
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 10:58
Report commentEast of East Lothian
Always thought the SNP were a bunch of pirates, " plundering the family jewels"
Captain Paul" Barbossa" McLennan
Captain Stuart " Blackbeard" Currie
Recommend? Yes 5
No 7
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local 2.1
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 15:50
Report comment -
Hmmmm
Unregistered User
Feb 17, 18:16
Report commentShould we not examine the modernisation and "in vogue" petty projects being introduced and administered by certain council departments? What are the core and statutory duties of elc?
Recommend? Yes 2
No 0
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Aaahhhaaaa
Unregistered User
Feb 19, 19:27
Report commentThe provost says ELC have set out to make efficiency savings! Where?
Overtime spending is currently what? Have there been more new employees than there have been employees leaving? What is the number of agency staff dotted across the services?
What has service redesign delivered - very little and please don't say it has when the IT department made 1 person redundant and let couple of managers retire, one incidently has restarted again in arms length organisation, its not what you know.......
The IT Department also has a very expensive manager who someone else has commented on in a previous posting above as having the luxury of only spending 3 days in the office and 2 days by the side of his swimming pool, you cannot expect this to be considered acceptable Chief Executive to East Lothian Council or the Council Tax Payer.
Oh and the argument about working from home and all the new policies introduced should not include home being accessed through passport control.
To quote Hmmmmm and petty projects it is quite simply the way they do things around there, ask the staff or don't because you probably won't want to know what the majority of employees think, sadly
Recommend? Yes 0
No 1
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Nationalist
Unregistered User
Feb 21, 13:44
Report commentSocialist
Its obvious from postings you dont understand budgets over a 3yr spending period
ELC has a healthy Reserves position due to careful planning over a number of years- Audit Scotland have praised our approach- think we should listen to them before yourself??
It still leaves us with healthy reserves of nearly £3m- 50% above recommended level!!!
But the real hypocracy from Socialist is that Labour plan to use more in the next 2 years!!
Labour planned to cut nearly £200k to groups such as CABs and Carers of East Lothian- thats shameful- Labour Care???
They also planned to delay an Apprentceship Scheme for a year and cut the More Choices,More Chances Budget- Labour Care???
Facts are:
Record number of houses being built
Record attainment in schools
Record number of people being cared for
Record Low Crime Levels
Record Investment in all our Communities
Apprenticeship scheme expanded now -not next year under Labour
And our Residents Survey tells us what people think of the services- all satisfaction levels up 35% from previously under Labour
Most Improved Council in the UK Finalistand more awards to be announced
Labours Budget Presentations were relentlessly negative, as is their campaign- they know no other way
Labours Campaign all over Scotland is in meltdown- and thats coming from Labour Members and councillors believe me, who don`t hide the fact
Robert - knock doors in East Lothian and find out for yourself how popular Labour actually are- you may get a fright!
SNP Positive Campaigning for 4 months already , not last few weeks like Labour
SNP Team Record and Vision against Labour Negativity
Recommend? Yes 2
No 0
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 21, 14:33
Report commentNationalist
Congratulations on all of the above!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nice to see you back Paul been on holiday, or are you yet again trying to avoid the real issue this week Cllr Barry Turner.
Same old stuff, but let’s face it your are not up to the job, the rumours are starting that if the SNP regain any power Stuart Currie will be the new leader of the council, and from what I hear you did not perform well at last week’s budget meeting.
Have you any control of anyone, obviously not, as I have said on many occasions Paul I believe you really want to do what is right for the people of East Lothian but until you get rid of the baggage then they will continue to undermine you.
You do not have to explain to me how Labour are performing I have been about politics since 1978.
However the Council Elections in May and the results are a big unknown for us all, we can only wait and see.
But what I do know is come May and if you are successful and regain control of ELC we can expect the Privatisation of Council Jobs.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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mike52
Unregistered User
Feb 21, 14:46
Report commentNationalist
or is it Paul can i just say that come May i am more then confident that we will see a change i East Lothian as a local man who is Born And Bred In East Lothien you do get to speak to folk and honestly Paul you really are not the big hit as you think you are it'e easy to to put down claim's such as you often do in this site but i think it will be you and your mate's who will be in for a shock you seem to forget that you Labour started school programme that was second to none ie Tranent Preston Lodge etc you just put your name to it took the plaudit's so please don't bang on about how good a council youv been for East Lothien what about you stance on Cokenzie Power Station the school Bus Run's for Kid's want to debate these issues no didni think so. Then there'd the state of our cemetery's cut back on School Janitor's etc etc you announced more Apprenticeship scheme to be expanded but it's to paid by a above inflation hike in Council Rent's Curry as has been said is not paying himself toward these job's welcome just a wee thought Paul you won the election in Scotland as i have said before due to the Lib Dem collapse yes you extended the council Tax for 5 year's yes you abolished the perscription charges but as you well know hard decision will have to made you have kicked litt into the long grass as it was proven to be very unpopular and this level of spending can't be sustained so something will have to give.
Recommend? Yes 1
No 1
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 21, 15:42
Report commentmike52
Yet again the same rhetoric from "Nationalist"
I have come to conclusion that "Nationalist" is very vulnerable and that by spinning the same story week in week out that he will convince himself he is doing a great job, is it arrogance or is it that this is the only way he can relate to the real world.
Sometimes in politics we have to admit we are wrong, maybe one day "Nationalist" will
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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mike52
Unregistered User
Feb 21, 15:44
Report commentOoop's
Sorry for the spelling mistakes etc in my Blog didni have ma Glasses on.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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Coalface again
Unregistered User
Feb 21, 20:56
Report commentShame on you Nationalist!
You choose not to respond to council employees but instead fire straight back at Socialist.
Whats your response to Compulsory Redundances starting with Chief Officers?
Silence will be deafening, you are full of hot air and your Chief Executive doesn't have an original thought in her body.....We are NOT Clacks, but then she didn't hang around there long enough to find out the real impact of her vision.
History will repeat itself with ELC only by the time she decides to scoot jump to the next biggest Local Authority it will be too late for us and hopefully you come Mays election.
Yes you have been campaigning, you've chapped my door in East Linton, claiming to make savings through natural wastage - don't make me laugh we are not all idiots!
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 22, 11:39
Report commentCoalface
As you can see "Nationalist" is a bit of a coward when it comes to answering direct questions.
Time after time the Leader of the Council has gone into hiding when faced with controversial issues, as Robert Burns would say
Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty
Wi bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murdering pattle.
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 22, 14:10
Report commentIt must be pantomime time at East Lothian Council, Oh yes it is.
Robin Hood as he plunders from the rich to give to the poor , no got that wrong this Robin Hood plunders from the poor to give to the rich.
The main characters being Robin” McLennan” Hood. Maid “ Ruth” Friar “Stuart Currie “Tuck and Little “McLeod “ John, also appearing Sheriff “ David” of Nottingham.
The merry men are often seen hiding in dark places as they plot the down fall of Sir William of Preston the saviour of the poor and his right hand man The Duke Norman of Hampshire.
But yet again good defeats evil after Barry Turner of Inveresk was found guilty for high treason against the good people of the sherfifdom of East Lothian.
Who will be left for Friar “Stuart Currie” Tuck to castigate in the confines of Castle Archerfield.
Has Maid “Ruth” found out that she is not photogenic and will now not appear in any more editions of “East Lothian Living”
Will Little “McLeod” John of Bankpark finally find his way to the “Surgery”
and finally will Robin “McLennan” Hood ever be able to rid himself from the clutches of the evil Queen Leitch as she tries to rid the kingdom of “good times”
Watch out for the next episode of “ Robin Hood and his little angels”
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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mike52
Unregistered User
Feb 22, 15:34
Report commentSocialist./Coalface
yip Mr P dissni like to answer direct question's simply because he can't good at spouting out percentage's that mean absolute nothing never mind no long till May then the good people of East Lothien can Bin this not fit for purpose Councill
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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Socialist
Unregistered User
Feb 22, 22:01
Report commentIt seems Friar Tuck has betrayed Robin Hood again
Recommend? Yes 0
No 0
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Nationalist
Unregistered User
Feb 23, 12:03
Report commentSocialist/Mike-Attempt at humour-what can you say- how long did that take you?
Socialist-No Privatisation of jobs -what you dont know you make up!
Your insight into SNP politics - what can I say- humourous -what you dont know you make up!
The facts on all areas of council expenditire is this administration is performing better than Labour in 2007
You might not like the facts but ill remind you again
Record number of houses being built
Record attainment in schools
Record number of people being cared for
Record Low Crime Levels
Record Investment in all our Communities
Apprenticeship scheme expanded now -not next year under Labour
And our Residents Survey tells us what people think of the services- all satisfaction levels up 35% from previously under Labour
Most Improved Council in the UK Finalistand more awards to be announced
Like your colleagues, there are no new ideas and nothing but negativity-Labours leaflets show that. Labour would cut monies to CABS- shameful
You should really speak to Labour colleagues in East Lothian and Scotland - very open about the fact that they dont share your enthusiasm about May
SNP Team Record and Vision v Labour Negativity
Recommend? Yes 1
No 0
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