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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.
13. Third sector support
Strengthened support for the third sector includes a £1.4m income maximisation fund, which will boost third sector providers of money, welfare, and debt advice in Edinburgh; a £2m Local Community Organisations fund to ensure small third sector organisations which are anchors in their local communities can survive and thrive; a £500,000 strategic city-wide fund for larger third sector organisations operating within communities across the city; and a £500,000 Neighbourhood Prevention Partnerships fund to secure active third sector partners in poverty prevention and early intervention activities. | Ripple Project
14. Care homes
The council is giving an additional £6 million to the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, which oversees health and social care in the Capital. The council’s investment plan includes funding for new care homes to replace facilities judged no longer to meet residents’ needs. | Olga Yastremska
15. Park lighting
A total of £500,000 has been allocated for lighting in city parks. The Lib Dems said lighting made parks safer and more welcoming, but conventional lighting was both inefficient and often not bright enough, so the money will roll out the installation of hybrid lights, which use smart sensors and are powered by solar energy when possible. | Supplied
16. Council buildings improvement programme
An £18.3m improvement programme for council buildings over 10 years will include work on the City Chambers quadrangle, the National Stone of Remembrance and its street frontage. | gegeonline Photo: gegeonline