At a special meeting on Thursday 7th February 2013 The Highland Council has agreed to freeze the Council Tax for a sixth successive year and confirmed a budget of 548.436 million for 2013-14.
The Council Tax bands will remain: Band A: 775.33; Band B: 904.56; Band C: 1,033.78; Band D: 1,163.00; Band E: 1,421.44; Band F: 1,679.89; Band G: 1,938.33; Band H: 2,326.00.
Savings of 11.612 million have been agreed in the coming financial year, a further 12.157 million agreed for 2014/15, leaving 3.3 million to be found for 2014/15 when the proposed budget is 547.625 million.
The Council also agreed to contain the average weekly rent increase to 1.35 or 2%, the average rent rising from 67.60 to 68.95. A 2% increase is also to be applied to hostel rents, gypsy/traveller site pitches, garage and garage sites as well as caretaking and CCTV services.
Highlights of the budget are: -
A commitment to spend an additional 3million per annum for the next two years on Preventative Spend, with allocations in 2013/14 of 1m each for early years, deprivation, and shifting the balance of care (adult integrated care).
2 million additional funding towards roads maintenance to improve road conditions in 2013/14. (This is a continuation of the sum allocated in 2012/13 on a one-off basis).
1 million for Childrens Services to provide for the demand and pressure in out of authority placements, pending a review of service options for the future delivery of the service.
Implementation of the Living Wage at 7.50 per hour, which will benefit some 1,400 Council employees.
Agree to fund a national pay offer of 1% for staff in each year the first increase for three years.
864,000 of additional Council resources has been set aside for Welfare Reform. Of this sum 614,000 has been provided to maintain council tax benefit at its existing level, rather than pass on the 10% cut in benefit imposed by the UK Government. A further 250,000 will allow the Council to recruit additional staff, and provide additional funding to CABx, in order to provide a much greater level of support, and proactive advice, to those vulnerable people in the Highlands most impacted by these welfare reforms.
7. An additional 100,000 has been set aside to improve planning performance and services to the public.
The Council has already set aside 1 million from balances in 2012/13 for the Community Challenge Fund launched in January 2013.
The Council agreed to remove the existing 10% Council Tax reduction of long-term empty domestic properties and instead levy a full 100% Council tax charge with effect from 1 April 2013. This situation will be reviewed within the first year. Any additional income will be retained locally with decisions on use to be considered by the Council.