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After last year’s 8 per cent council tax rise, there was pressure to keep this year’s increase down. And in seeking to do so, the council was helped by the prospect of revenue from the new tourist tax or Visitor Levy, which comes into effect in July - the first in the UK.
Because of the Labour administration’s minority position, it always has to win the support of at least two other groups to get its budget passed. The negotiations which secured the backing of the Liberal Democrat and Tory groups led to some significant commitments as part of this year’s package.
Council leader Jane Meagher said: “I’m proud that we’ve once again delivered a balanced budget that focuses on meeting the needs of Edinburgh’s residents. It is a budget that reinforces our commitment to tackling poverty, prioritising prevention and protecting frontline services for those most in need of our support.
“This ambitious budget clearly demonstrates the strength of listening to our communities and working across party lines to do what’s best for the residents of Edinburgh.”
Here are some of the key elements of the council’s budget for the coming year.
9. Roads and pavements
The council will continue its increased investment in roads and pavements with a further £25m over the next two years. There will also be an additional £400,000 to accelerate pothole repairs and £178,000 for white line repainting. | Jane Barlow/PA Wire
10. Roseburn Primary School
The budget sets aside £1 million for the upgrade of school playgrounds. The Lib Dems said there was a disparity in the quality of playgrounds across the city. And there will also be £50,000 for additional officer capacity to identify opportunities for playground improvements in consultation with school communities, and a further £450,000 to fund inspections centrally. | Google
11. School staffing and resources
Increased staffing and resources for pupils with additional support needs (ASN) will see new Pupil Support Assistants (PSAs) and Pupil Support Officers (PSOs) deployed in special schools and in support bases in mainstream schools to meet rising demand. Capital investment is also earmarked to improve ASN schools and further develop support bases in mainstream schools.
12. Craigroyston Community High School
Craigroyston and Queensferry high schools will benefit from investment totalling £85.8m for major extensions at both sites. The investment is in addition to the £296m for five new schools, five extensions and the replacement of Fox Covert Campus, which were approved last year. | Paul Zanre