1. The purpose of this Technical Note is to update Members in relation to the the arrangements for the Council’s budget setting meeting.
2. Members will recall that the Diary of Council meetings for the current year, includes two provisional dates for the Council’s formal Budget setting meeting, namely 17th February 2022 and 24th February 2022. These dates were included to provide a degree of flexibility given the increasingly complex financial situation and the possible impact of further COVID outbreaks on consequential deadlines at a Scottish Government level.
3. Members will be aware that the Council’s initial settlement figures were not available until just a few days before the Christmas holidays. Members will also be aware that these initial figures are subject to a detailed clarification and refinement process, which is still ongoing.
4. The timetable for consideration of the Scottish Government’s budget by the Scottish Parliament is as follows –
Stage 1 – 27th January 2022
Stage 2 – 1st February 2022
Stage 3 – 10th February 2022
Stage 4 – 24th February 2022
5. In light of the above, and recognising the particularly challenging position facing all Councils in the coming financial year, the Corporate Management Team has liaised with the Joint Administration Leadership Team and it is proposed that the Council’s Budget meeting take place on the later of the two dates, namely 24th February 2022. The final Agenda will be issued on 17th February and will include a reminder of the process and deadlines for submission of amendments.