4.
Under reference to paragraph 8 of the minute of the special meeting of the Moray Council on 16 December 2020, a report by the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) asked the Council to approve revised charges for Council services for 2021/22.
Councillors Creswell and Edwards joined the meeting during the discussion of this item.
During discussion of the item a number of amendments to the recommendations were made and it was agreed that all amendments would be put forward and then Officers would have the opportunity to respond.
Councillor Eagle moved, seconded by Councillor Brown the following:
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B10a |
Remove the annual maintenance charge for wash/dry toilets |
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E1 |
Reduce the cost of music tuition by 30% |
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E3 |
Decrease the cost of school meals |
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G1b |
Freeze the cost of Bulky Uplifts |
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Councillor Bremner, seconded by Councillor Warren proposed freezing the Harbour charges at section I2, a, b, e, g and h.
Councillor Ross moved that the Building Standards Pre-application check cost be increased to £150.
Councillor Macrae, seconded by Councillor Allan moved that all harbour charges due to be increased in the recommendations be frozen at the current rates.
In response, The Head of Environment and Commercial Services advised that the proposal to freeze the increase in Bulky Uplift costs would have no direct operational impact for the Service. He further added that with regard to reducing the costs of school meals, it would be advisable to defer the decision on this until after the Scottish Government election in May as the outcome of the election is likely to have an impact on school meal provisions as he understood that in light of policy developments already indicated by the Scottish Government, compensation would most potentially be available to Councils.
The Chief Financial Officer concurred with the previous comments and said it would be premature to make a decision on school meals at the moment.
In considering the responses from the Head of Environmental and Commercial Services and the Chief Financial Officer, Councillor Eagle confirmed that he was happy to defer the decision on school meals until after the May election.
With reference to reducing the costs of music tuition, the Depute Chief Executive (Education, Communities and Organisational Development) confirmed that if a reduction of 20% were to be agreed, the costs would be more in line with the average charges other Councils.
In response to the proposals to freeze all or some of the proposed increases in Harbour charges, the Transportation Manager confirmed that she would not recommend freezing any of the charges and referred to a previous decision by the Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee where it was agreed that work would be carried out to make the Harbours self sufficient.
It was agreed to have a short adjournment to allow the groups to discuss the amendments and also to allow Officers the opportunity to obtain answers to the outstanding questions.
Following the short adjournment, the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) clarified that the fee for major construction projects requiring Building Standards input to the design process had been introduced following one particularly large development but no requests had been made for that particular service since.
Following the clarification Councillor Ross was happy to withdraw his amendment to increase the price.
The Head of Governance, Strategy and Performance advised the Council that a proposal to approve the charges in the recommendations with the exception of those previously identified would be required and then a vote on each of the amendments could then be taken.
On the advice of the Head of Governance, Strategy and Performance, Councillor Morrison, seconded by Councillor Alexander moved the charges as detailed in the appendix with the exception of the amendments proposed.
As there was no one otherwise minded, the Council then proceeded to deal with each amendment in turn.
Councillor Eagle, seconded by Councillor Brown moved to remove the maintenance charge for wash/dry toilet users.
Councillor Leadbitter, who had sympathy on the wash/dry toilets maintenance charge proposed writing to the Integration Joint Board (IJB) to ask them to review the charge and to report back to the Council prior to the Budget meeting on 3 March 2021, this was seconded by Councillor Bremner.
On the division there voted:
For the motion (11) |
Councillors Eagle, Brown, Allan, Feaver, Gatt, Macrae, M McLean, R McClean, Powell, Ross and Wilson |
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For the amendment (15) |
Councillors Leadbitter, Bremner, Alexander, Creswell, Coull, Coy, Cowe, Cowie, Divers, Edwards, A McLean, Morrison, Nicol, Taylor, Warren |
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Abstentions (0) |
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Accordingly the amendment became the finding of the meeting and the Council agreed that the Council Leader would write to the IJB to ask them to review the charge and to report back to the Council prior to the Budget meeting on 3 March 2021.
Councillor Eagle, seconded by Councillor Brown, moved to reduce the cost of music tuition by 30% for 2021/22. As there was no one otherwise minded, the Council agreed to reduce the cost of music tuition by 30% for 2021/22.
Councillor Eagle, seconded by Councillor Brown, moved to freeze the bulky waste charge at 2020/21 prices. As there was no one otherwise minded, the Council agreed to freeze the bulky uplift charge at 2020/21 prices.
Councillor Bremner moved freezing Harbour charges in section I2 a, b, e, g and h only for 2021/22, this was seconded by Councillor Warren.
Councillor Macrae, seconded by Councillor Allan moved that all Harbour charges as detailed in Section I of the appendix are held at 2020/21 rates.
Councillor Alexander said that a decision had been made at a previous Committee to make the harbours self sufficient and therefore proposed agreeing the harbour charges as stated in Section I of the Appendix, this was seconded by Councillor Cowe.
Thereafter, in terms of Standing Order 63(c) following summing up by relevant members at the appropriate points, there being more than one amendment proposed, of which were a direct negative against each other, the Clerk advised that the first amendment proposed by Councillor Macrae would be taken against the second amendment proposed by Councillor Alexander and thereafter the successful amendment would be taken against the motion proposed by Councillor Bremner.
On the division between the first and second amendment there voted
For the first Amendment (13) |
Councillors Macrae, Allan, Brown, Cowie, Eagle, Edwards, Feaver, Gatt, M McLean, R McLean, Powell, Ross and Wilson |
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For the second Amendment (13) |
Councillors Alexander, Cowe, Bremner, Creswell, Coull, Coy, Divers, Leadbitter, A McLean, Morrison, Nicol, Taylor and Warren |
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Abstentions (0) |
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In terms of standing order 63(a) where there is an equality of votes, the Convener shall have the casting vote. The Convener voted with the second amendment.
The Clerk confirmed that, in accordance with Standing Order 62 (c) the second amendment would now be taken against the motion.
On the division between the second amendment and the motion there voted:
For the Motion (23) |
Councillors Bremner, Warren, Allan, Brown, Coull, Cowie, Coy, Divers, Eagle, Edwards, Feaver, Gatt, Leadbitter, A McLean, M McLean, R McLean, Macrae, Morrison, Nicol, Powell, Taylor, Ross and Wilson, |
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For the second Amendment (3) |
Councillors Alexander, Cowe and Creswell |
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Abstentions (0) |
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Accordingly the motion became the finding of the meeting and the Council agreed to freeze the Harbour charges in Section I 2 a, b, e, g and h.
Councillor Brown left the meeting following the discussion of this item.