STIRLING COUNCIL
MINUTES of SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING of STIRLING COUNCIL held as a VIRTUAL
MEETING by MICROSOFT TEAMS on THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2021 at 3.00 PM
Present:
Provost Christine SIMPSON (in the Chair)
Councillor Maureen BENNISON
Councillor Neil BENNY
Councillor Alistair BERRILL
Councillor Margaret BRISLEY
Councillor Robert DAVIES
Councillor Douglas DODDS
Councillor Martin EARL
Councillor Scott FARMER
Councillor Bryan FLANNAGAN
Councillor Danny GIBSON
Councillor Graham HOUSTON
Councillor Chris KANE
Councillor Alison LAURIE
Councillor Alasdair MACPHERSON
Councillor Alastair MAJURY
Councillor Jeremy MCDONALD
Councillor Susan MCGILL
Councillor Ross OXBURGH
Councillor Jim THOMSON
Councillor Alasdair TOLLEMACHE
Councillor Evelyn TWEED
In Attendance
Carol Beattie, Chief Executive
Jim Boyle, Chief Officer – Finance
Stephen Clark, Chief Officer – Housing
Martin Dalziel, Team Leader for External Communications
Gillian Findlay, Team Leader Quality & Performance
Drew Leslie, Senior Manager – Infrastructure
Bruce McClure, Service Manager – Delivery of CRD
Gillian McKenzie, Accountant, Finance
Isabel McKnight, Chief Operating Officer – Communities & Performance
Bryony Monaghan, Interim Head of Education (Chief Education Officer)
Owen ODonnell, Communications Officer
Stuart Oliver, Senior Manager – Economic Development & Communities
Bruce Reekie, Senior Manager – Environment & Place
Brian Roberts, Chief Operating Officer – Infrastructure & Environment
Stephen Swan, Service Manager – Housing Property & Asset Management
Marie Valente, Senior Manager (Chief Social Work Officer)
Gregor Wightman, Team Leader - Housing
David Wilson, Service Manager – Housing Management & Homelessness
Julia McAfee, Chief Officer - Governance (Clerk)
Jean Houston, Governance Officer (Minute Taker)
Recording of Meeting started
Prior to the commencement of business, the Provost welcomed and thanked everyone for attending the meeting via MS Teams. A statement was read to the meeting providing detail on the procedures related to MS Teams and the protocols that both Members and Officers should adhere to throughout the meeting. Members were advised that they would be limited to two questions per item at this meeting.
The Provost asked the Clerk to carry out a roll call of all Members participating in the meeting. The Clerk confirmed all Members were in attendance. It was noted that Councillor Berrill was having technical difficulties joining the meeting.
TRIBUTES
The Provost led tributes paid to Councillor Graham Lambie who had recently passed away. Councillor Lambie had been held in the highest esteem by colleagues across all political parties, officers, staff and the community; his diligence and dignity respected by all. He made a significant contribution to public service and would be sadly missed. Condolences were expressed to his family, friends and colleagues.
SC362 APOLOGIES
There were no apologies submitted.
SC363 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
SC364 HOUSING RENTAL STRATEGY 2021/22
This report sought approval for a rent increase for Council house rents, garages and pitch sites for 2021/22.
As part of the 2014/15 rent setting process, the Council had agreed to move away from ‘inflation plus’ and instead used a ‘cost of service’ approach. This approach involved provision of a breakdown of known cost pressures and savings for the forthcoming financial year.
This year’s consultation with tenants had been carried out on the basis of presenting two rent increase options, namely 1.3% or 2.1%. The proposed increase of 1.3% had been supported by 69.1% of tenants who had responded to the consultation.
Consultation had been undertaken with all tenants, the Housing Advisory Group, the Tenants’ Panel, Registered Tenants’ Organisations and the Portfolio Holder for Housing.
Motion
“That the Council agrees to approve the officer recommendations contained within the report ‘Housing Rental Strategy 2021/22’ which appears on the agenda for this meeting of the Council.”
Proposed by Councillor Evelyn Tweed, seconded by Councillor Danny Gibson
Decision
Council agreed to:
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approve an increase of 1.3% for house rents in 2021/22;
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approve an increase of 1.3% for garages and pitch sites in 2021/22; and
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approve the Housing Revenue Account budget for 2021/22, as detailed in Appendix 2.
(Reference: Report by Chief Officer - Housing, dated 28 January 2021, submitted).
SC365 HOUSING – CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME 2021/22
The Housing Revenue Account Capital Investment Programme for 2021/22 was based on the Council’s agreed 30-year housing business plan. It ensured the Housing Service improved and developed its housing stock to meet and maintain compliance with the Scottish Housing Quality Standards beyond 2015, maximise compliance with the Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH1), that was to be achieved by December 2020 and to meet the new Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH2) that social landlords must meet by 2032.
Total planned expenditure for the year was £23.237M.
Funding from revenue was expected to be £6.740M with prudential borrowing for the year estimated at approximately £10.703M and income from the strategic housing account projected to be £200,000.
Grant funding from the Scottish Government of up to £4.738M would be available to support the construction of new Council housing in 2021/22.
Additional funding of £856,000 would also be available from the Scottish Government to continue the delivery of the energy efficiency programme to the private housing sector.
Motion
“That the Council agrees to approve the officer recommendations contained within the report ‘Housing Capital Investment Programme 2021/22’ which appears on the agenda for this meeting of the Council.”
Proposed by Councillor Evelyn Tweed, seconded by Councillor Danny Gibson
Members thanked the Chief Officer – Housing and staff for their work on the Capital Investment Programme, and in particular Gregor Wightman for his work on grant funding.
Decision
Council agreed to approve the 2021/22 Capital Investment Programme as detailed in the report.
(Reference: Report by Chief Officer - Housing, dated 28 January 2021, submitted).
The Provost declared the meeting closed at 4.00pm