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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.
17. Portobello Swim Centre
Cash was allocated in the budget for the £7.5m refurbishment of Portobello Swim Centre on the Promenade. The Category A-listed building dates back to 1898 and houses Edinburgh’s only publicly available Victorian Turkish bath - one of only three remaining in Scotland and only 11 in the UK. It also has two public swimming pools and a gym. | TSPL Photo: Phil Wilkinson
18. Solar panels
The climate emergency ha already seen solar panels installed on Edinburgh City Council's offices at Waverley Court. Now the council has allocated £100,000 for officer capacity to drive forward the installation of additional solar panels in partnership with the Edinburgh Community Solar Co-operative and others, as well as a similar sum to to accelerate opportunities for implementing new heat networks in Edinburgh, and £50,000 towards switching from fluorescent to LED lighting in more council buildings. | Andrew O'Brien
19. Starbank Park
Some £145,000 will go towards essential repairs to Starbank House in Newhaven's Starbank Park. The house was built in 1815 and originally belonged to shipbuilder Alexander Goalen, uncle of the famous Victorian Prime Minister, William Ewart Gladstone. Now there are plans to bring the building into community use. | Scottish Civic Trust
20. Blackhall Library
Blackhall Library closed in September 2023 after potentially dangerous RAAC concrete was found in the roof. The budget allocates £13.2m for a new library. | LDR