FOLLOWING an all-council meeting yesterday the City of Edinburgh Council has agreed a new budget.
The Labour administration budget was passed after receiving support from the Lib Dem and Conservative groups.
With the council facing an increasingly difficult economic situation the decision was taken to hike council tax by 8% to cover the shortfalls.
A number of deputations were heard in support of providing extra funding for holiday hubs from parents and teachers supporting the operation of the scheme, providing respite for parents of children with additional support needs.
No new funding was allocated to support the operation of holiday hubs in the approved budget despite this.
A massive £296m was committed to building five new schools across the city with education being a big theme at the meeting.
Cuts to transition and parent support teachers were blocked after pleas from councillors, parents and teachers who highlighted the vital work these professionals undertake.
Lib Dem Councillor Downie highlighted the council’s own 8-page job description for support teachers.
£1.6m was committed to improving road safety, particularly around schools, following a plea in the form of a letter from parent councils.
£12.5m this year and next year has been allocated for improving pavements, roads, streetscapes and lighting.
Some locals have been left concerned that this will be insufficient to improve and repair Edinburgh’s extensively damaged roads though.
Funding for Gorgie Farm was not included in the budget despite pleas from a number of councillors to provide just £150,000 to support the farm.
Sighthill/Gorgie councillors, independent Ross McKenzie and Green Dan Heap called spearheaded this motion.
The Conservative group won funding for a number of projects including cracking down on fly tipping and other littering with new wardens.
£3.5m will be awarded to community-based charities after funding was cut by the Edinburgh Joint Integration board (EJIB).
A series of other unusual requests were made during the meeting including one SNP councillor asking for £25,000 to get people visiting the Pentland Hills more.
The Labour administration budget was met with some animosity after groups claimed it was made up entirely of officer recommendations.
SNP group leader Councillor Simita Kumar said: “This is a weak Labour administration, like its budget.
“It has zero leadership, a budget void of inspiration and accountability. Studies should be done to examine its merit and label it as the laziest budget in modern times.
“There’s a fake £1.5m underspend in the Labour budget to help buy support from Lib Dems and Tories while selling their morals in return.
“I cannot comprehend the Labour leader and finance convener saying that parents’ views are only opinions and not reflective of the facts – facts which shows that holiday hubs have gone through systematic cuts since Labour took over.
“Not hearing the pleas of families of children with disabilities, life limiting conditions, and additional support needs is the most disastrous decision of today.”
