In spite of significantly increased costs, budget plans published today include a commitment to deliver all capital projects previously announced and protect frontline services.
Average inflation of 10 per cent is impacting on the Council's budget widely, reflecting the increase in household costs.
Cross-party collaboration
The draft revenue and capital budget proposals have been developed following collaborative work over a number of months by a cross-party group of Councillors. The 866 responses received through the annual budget survey and feedback from Community Conversations this summer have also shaped the plans.
Council Leader, Councillor Euan Jardine
“I think we all anticipated that developing budget plans during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic would be the hardest we’d ever experience, but this year it has proved to be even more challenging.
“For that reason I am incredibly proud that Councillors across the Chamber put aside political differences and successfully came together to develop this single plan. I want to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues for their efforts and support.
“The impact of the rapid rise in inflation and associated costs cannot be overstated, and these hit the Council budget from all angles: catering in schools, energy prices, construction of our capital projects, and by placing more families in need of our support.
“But, despite the financial challenges we will still deliver what was an already ambitious capital investment plan, including new secondary schools in Peebles, Galashiels and Hawick and primary schools in Earlston and Eyemouth. We will deliver care facilities in Tweedbank and Hawick as previously set out, and we will still be able to invest in the regeneration of our town centres and support our communities and the most vulnerable.
“We are also maintaining our roads maintenance funding and protecting frontline services, where savings would have been felt by all. Given the current financial climate that really is incredibly positive news.”
Draft budget highlights
- Following feedback from residents the budget proposals protect frontline services, including education, social work and roads, the latter with investment of £21.9m over the next three years
- Teacher numbers protected, and Early Learning and Childcare partners supported with additional funding to pay staff the Real Living Wage
- Commitment to capital plan projects, including three new secondary schools (Peebles, Galashiels and Hawick), two new primary schools (Earlston and Eyemouth) and two care villages (Tweedbank and Hawick) – a total of just over £205m for these projects alone
- Ongoing investment in existing schools, further flood protection works and flood studies, and targeted town centre regeneration works
- Continued investment into the environment and to programmes aimed at helping the Council achieve its Net Zero target
- Protection of funding for third sector and voluntary partners across the region
- Funding for an extension of the Demand Responsive Travel pilot scheme while a regional transport review is carried out (£304k), and funding to sustain the 101/102 bus service in Tweeddale
- Commitment to a feasibility study into fixed CCTV provision in town centres (£80k)
- One-off increase of £178k in the Community Enhancement (Small Schemes) Fund to support priority local issues not funded through other budgets. This brings the total budget for this Fund to £378k for 2023/24
- Financial assistance for Live Borders, including postponing previously planned savings, in recognition of current financial challenges such as increased energy costs
- Continued investment into improved outdoor community spaces and play parks (£2.2m over the next three years)
- Additional one-off funding of £100k to enhance existing respite care
- One-off funding of £20k to enhance neurodiversity education and awareness in schools
- Commitment to working with key partners on refreshed sport, library and culture strategies for the region
- Investment into making back office processes more efficient
- Commitment to paying all staff the Real Living Wage, including Modern Apprentices
- Council Tax levels remaining one of the lowest in mainland Scotland
Councillor Elaine Thornton-Nicol, leader of the SNP and Green group
“Since moving into opposition in 2017, the SNP group has challenged the Administration each February with an alternative budget, but it was clear this year that this was not the best approach for our communities and constituents.
“By collaborating across the political spectrum we feel we’ve got the best we can out of the budget for 2023/24, given the financial pressures being faced by the Council and every resident of the Borders.
“The decisions have not been easy, and we appreciate the time taken by over 800 residents to complete the budget survey. Those responses have guided our discussions and we have debated various proposals. While we will never agree on every proposal, this is a good outcome.”
Councillor Robin Tatler, leader of the Independent Group
“Managing to produce a balanced budget without adding new savings for services to deliver and without cutting a single capital project has been tremendously difficult, but it means we are protecting services for all our constituents and delivering key projects for young and old across the Borders.
“We are pleased that this budget also maintains and extends the commitment to pay all our employees the Real Living Wage.”
Councillor Euan Robson, leader of the Liberal Democrat group
“I welcomed the Council Leader’s invitation to work together on the financial plan and I hope that what we have produced as a cross-party group is supported by all our colleagues.
“We would all like to have seen more investment and improved services, but the reality is that local government is under unprecedented financial pressure. Even with the increase in the Council Tax, which we have kept as low as we reasonably could, the Council has still had to find significant funds to make ends meet and bridge the financial gap on top of the millions saved in the last ten years.”
Full Council to set budget
The draft financial plan will be considered at a meeting of full council on Thursday 23 February.
Councillor Mark Rowley, Executive Member for Service Delivery and Transformation, including finance and budget oversight
“In the face of the exceptional financial challenges facing local authorities it is no surprise that many are considering cutting back their capital investment programmes whilst also increasing Council Tax well above 5%.
“The fact that we are avoiding that here in the Scottish Borders and continuing to invest in our communities and deliver key projects is thanks to careful financial planning and decision-making over many years.
“I have no doubt that the area will reap the benefits of this carefully developed budget plan for many years to come.”
The members of the cross-party Budget Working Group were: Councillors Leagh Douglas, Marshall Douglas, Euan Jardine, Neil Mackinnon, Watson McAteer, Julie Pirone, Mark Rowley, Euan Robson, Robin Tatler and Elaine Thornton-Nicol.