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A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) updated the Council's projected financial position for 2021/22 to 2023/24 and requested the Council give early consideration of two potential recurring savings.
Councillor Leadbitter, in referring to the recommendations, stated that whilst the Administration Group were supportive of the recommendation to retain three weekly household recycling collections, he was aware that there was ongoing discussion regarding an outstanding employee relations issue relating to this and if there was a feeling that it would be sensible to defer consideration of this matter until the February meeting, the Administration Group would be agreeable to do so. He further stated that in relation to the proposal increase to the annual charge for green waste, the Administration Group was minded not to agree to this but to retain the charge at the current level and as regards to the remainder of the recommendations, was happy to support these as detailed in the report.
Councillor Alexander stated that the Councillors Open Group would agree with the proposal to retain the annual charge for green waste at the current level.
Councillor Eagle stated that in terms of the views of the Conservative Group, there was agreement to the proposal to retain the annual charge for green waste at the current level, however, in terms of the proposal relating to the retention of three weekly household collections had a different view on this from the Administration Group. He further stated that various issues were raised by people with the proposal and asked whether there was any data available on the environmental impact of the proposal in terms of carbon footprint and in regard to access to larger bins, whether this would prove to be problematic in the long term.
In response the Head of Environmental and Commercial Development advised that he did not have data available in respect of the carbon saving although it would save on a vehicle running costs. He further advised that as these are long term measures it would require looking at post Covid journeys to the recycling centres using the booking system verses pre Covid journeys where there was no booking system. However he would not know what that comparison would be for Elgin or the other recycling centres outwith Elgin at this time. In regard to the accessibility to larger bins, this was based on current demand, however should this demand increase in light of a decision being made, a further report would have to be submitted with a view to increasing the capital provision to support additional bins.
Councillor Eagle stated that in terms of the response and the lack of environmental data at this time, he was concerned that this was a short term measure put in place because of the pandemic and that the Council should not rush into making a decision based on savings grounds if not entirely clear of the benefits that may bring and was therefore not happy to support the proposal at this time.
Following further lengthy discussion Councillor Leadbitter, seconded by Councillor A McLean moved that the Council agree to:
- defer consideration of retaining three weekly household recycling collections to a future date until the outcome of the ongoing discussion with staff has been concluded;
- retain the annual charge for household green waste permits at £40;
- remit to Moray Leisure Ltd the sum of £73,000, which is the component of the funding the Council has been notified it will receive in respect of lost income for the first six months of 2019/20 which relates to Moray Leisure Centre.
- note the continuing high level of uncertainty regarding key financial planning assumptions;
- note the sensitivity of the Council’s budget to these uncertainties;
- note the recent pay claim for SJC staff;
- note the emerging position regarding financial flexibilities in 2021/22; and
- note the projected current budgetary position in the short to medium term.
As an amendment Councillor Eagle, seconded by Councillor Gatt, moved that the Council agree to:
- reject the proposal for retaining three weekly household recycling collections;
- retain the annual charge for household green waste permits at £40;
- remit to Moray Leisure Ltd the sum of £73,000, which is the component of the funding the Council has been notified it will receive in respect of lost income for the first six months of 2019/20 which relates to Moray Leisure Centre.
- note the continuing high level of uncertainty regarding key financial planning assumptions;
- note the sensitivity of the Council’s budget to these uncertainties;
- note the recent pay claim for SJC staff;
- note the emerging position regarding financial flexibilities in 2021/22; and
- note the projected current budgetary position in the short to medium term.
On a division there voted:
For the Motion (16)
Councillors Leadbitter, A McLean, Alexander, Bremner Coull, Cowe, Cowie, Coy, Creswell, Divers, Edwards, Morrison, Nicol, Ross, Taylor and Warren.
For the Amendment (10)
Councillors Eagle, Gatt, Allan, Brown, Feaver, Macrae, M McLean, R McLean, Powell and Wilson.
Accordingly the Motion became the finding of the meeting and the Council agreed to:
- defer consideration of retaining three weekly household recycling collections to a future date until the outcome of the ongoing discussion with staff has been concluded;
- retain the annual charge for household green waste permits at £40;
- remit to Moray Leisure Ltd the sum of £73,000, which is the component of the funding the Council has been notified it will receive in respect of lost income for the first six months of 2019/20 which relates to Moray Leisure Centre.
- note the continuing high level of uncertainty regarding key financial planning assumptions;
- note the sensitivity of the Council’s budget to these uncertainties;
- note the recent pay claim for SJC staff;
- note the emerging position regarding financial flexibilities in 2021/22; and
- note the projected current budgetary position in the short to medium term.