2020/21 budget set
MORAY Council has set its budget for 2020/21.
As part of the measures agreed by councillors at today’s meeting, all of which are subject to the Scottish Budget being approved by the Scottish Parliament, grass cutting in council-owned open areas and parks will be reinstated, and grass cutting in council housing areas will continue in line with last year’s arrangements. A report is also due to be brought back to councillors in August which will outline progress made in talks with the community around taking on public toilets, at which a decision could be taken to reverse the closures already agreed.
At this afternoon’s meeting an increase in Council Tax rates of 4.84% was agreed, along with a further £104,000 savings including a reduction in funding for Moray Leisure Centre, Moray Women’s Aid, and to recharge schools for the cost of music tuition for SQA pupils – bringing the total approved savings for 2020/21 to more than £3 million. A list of agreed budget measures is available on Moray Council’s website. Reserves of £2.34 million will be used this financial year.
More than £42 million will be invested in capital projects in 2020/21, including new-build and school refurbishments, harbours, road improvements, waste management, bridges and economic development. Funding for Health & Social Care Moray will increase by £1.79 million compared to 2019/20.
Moray Council’s Chief Financial Officer, Lorraine Paisey, explained that there has been some recent and major changes to the council’s finances, including confirmation of an additional £1.6million funding from the Scottish Government, and an increase of £900k raised from capital receipts, which can be used to fund transformation in the council.
Leader of Moray Council, Cllr Graham Leadbitter, said: “It is important to recognise that this year’s budget will be the largest revenue budget that the council has ever implemented at over £210 million. Taking our housing revenue budget and our capital expenditure into account the investment in services in Moray will exceed £300 million.
“This investment includes our hugely important Early Years service rollout, investment in school counsellors, continued investment in new schools and community facilities, investment in new council housing and in many other areas of service.”