Council doesn’t need to make budget cuts
South Lanarkshire Council won’t need to make any budget cuts next year after receiving a larger grant from the Scottish Government.
Cross-party budget talks have been taking place over the past month in order to bridge an estimate budget gap of £11.768 million.
However, executive director for finance Paul Manning told the council’s executive committee on Wednesday, February 10, that there was “capacity for investment” after an increased grant settlement was announced.
At the start of the budget process, South Lanarkshire Council had assumed the grant settlement for 2021-22 would be cut by one per cent.
However, last month finance secretary Kate Forbes announced funding for local government would be increased next year resulting in a 2.5 per cent increase for South Lanarkshire Council.
As a result, councillors will now have an extra £7.6 million over and above current commitments to invest in the region when they decide next year’s budget on Wednesday, February 24.
The grant settlement includes specific funding tied to a council tax freeze so it is expected councillors will agree to keep the tax at its current rate.
However, Mr Manning warned that although there was “capacity for investment”, some of that may need to be used to cover a potential pay award following the Scottish Government’s plans to increase pay for public sector workers.
Mr Manning said: “One of the things that was announced at the same time as the settlement was the Scottish Government’s public sector pay policy.
“That doesn’t directly impact on local government but, in my opinion, what is being put on the table by the cabinet secretary may well influence what happens within local government negotiations.”
It is expected that around £3 million could be needed to properly fund a similar pay award in South Lanarkshire.
The government’s plans would see all public sector workers earning less than £25,000 receive a three per cent pay increase with a one per cent increase for everyone else capped at £800.
Mr Manning added: “The settlement includes funding for those councils who agreed to freeze their council tax. That is a pretty fundamental point in this year’s settlement. In comparison to the revenue budget strategy that we had, the position has improved.”
On February 25, the budget bill will be presented to the Scottish Parliament for debate and it is anticipated that it will be approved by March 10.
As a result, there is the possibility that the grant settlement outlined by the finance secretary could increase after South Lanarkshire Council has set its budget but Mr Manning said that would be unlikely.
Plans for a major energy recovery plant in Dovesdale are being opposed by community campaigners.
Waste management giants Viridor have proposed a landfill diversion facility at Overwood Farm, the Dovesdale Farm complex site south of Larkhall and Stonehouse.
The plans are designed to help Scotland deliver its forthcoming landfill ban in 2025.
Pending planning permission, official plans will be submitted in spring, which could see 500 construction jobs created, as well as 55 new permanent posts at the site.
However Dovesdale Action Group are concerned with “protecting public health, protecting the farming industry and the environment”.
The campaigners previously protested a 2011 proposal by Scotgen.
John Young from the Dovesdale Action Group told the Advertiser: “We knew this would rear its head again. Last time we didn’t take no for an answer when the application went through, we pursued that through the Scottish Government at the time and SEPA.”
He added: “In response to climate change we see it as going completely in the wrong direction.”
And he went on: “The immediate issue goes back to protecting public health, protecting the farming industry and the environment.”
The action group also say they will oppose any political party in upcoming elections who support Viridor’s application. Their last campaign attracted over 24,000 signatures and they say they have a lot of community support this time.
They are also concerned about people’s ability to respond to the application during the pandemic.
The proposed development is to be located on land adjoining the existing Dovesdale logistics and waste management complex which already has planning permission for an ERF Facility. As part of this planning application, subject to receiving planning permission, the existing permission will be revoked.
The proposal is in direct response to the Scottish Government’s “zero waste” strategy and the forthcoming ban on the landfilling of food, paper, garden and any other biodegradable household waste by 2025. According to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Scotland sent 1.46m tonnes of household and similar waste to landfill in 2019.
Viridor says their Energy Recovery Proposals (ERF) for South Lanarkshire have the potential to generate enough electricity to power over half of the region’s homes. They also say the Overwood ERF will transform up to 330,000 tonnes per annum of non-recyclable municipal, commercial and industrial waste into energy in the form of heat and electricity.
A Proposal of Application Notice (POAN) has been submitted to South Lanarkshire Council that has kickstarted a comprehensive consultation programme. Virtual public exhibitions are due to be held over the coming months, allowing interested parties the opportunity to find out more and provide feedback.
Grant Scott, planning manager North and Scotland for Viridor, said: “The proposed Overwood Energy Recovery Facility is a state-of-the-art development that will play a vital role in diverting our everyday waste from landfill. By utilising waste left over from the recycling process, the facility will convert it into electricity, helping to meet the upcoming landfill ban and supporting the Scottish Government’s Zero Waste strategy.
“Over the coming months, we look forward to presenting these plans to the local community. Whilst the ongoing restrictions regarding Covid-19 will impact how this is done, we have put together a comprehensive digital engagement programme and welcome everyone to get involved, ask questions and importantly provide us with feedback.”
Lanarkshire based Wm Hamilton & Sons Limited operate the Dovesdale complex and director Duncan Graham added: “The development of this stateof-the-art energy recovery facility by Viridor will complement the existing waste and recycling operations within our Dovesdale complex, whilst ensuring we can continue to invest in our workforce and remain at the forefront of the industry.”