Administration Motion

1. Note the updated position provided in the report, and in the supplementary report providing further information on the Scottish Budget statement and the financial package as detailed in the Cabinet Secretary for Finance’s letter to COSLA President.
2. Note that there are still ongoing discussions with Government in a number of areas within the budget including in relation to Teacher Numbers and that the proposal from the Government is that both learning hours and teacher numbers will be frozen and that an element of the funding package is contingent on maintaining teacher numbers.
3. Take no decision in relation to the implementation of the asymmetric school week for all sectors and continue consideration of this to the Budget meeting where it can be considered in the context of other savings proposals.
4. Not approve the reduction in the overall weekly learning hours in Primary or Secondary establishments at this time, noting the reference to a freeze in the Local Government budget package.
5. Recognise that further savings will still be required, therefore request that the director of Education bring forward alternative proposals for savings for 2025/26 budget and seek to develop further savings plans within the MTFP.
6. Note the reference in the report to the work being undertaken on the Review of the Learning Estate and ask that the Director of Education bring forward a report on the short-, medium- and longer-term plans to address the issues identified as early as practical in the new financial year.
7. With UK Government having set its budget at the end of October, and Scottish Government presenting their budget statement on 4th December, there remains a number of variables that will require to be clarified and as part of the Scottish Government process there may be changes before the final stage where a budget is approved.
8. Recognising the challenges that this gives to both officers and members in preparing a final budget, Council agrees to postpone the budget setting meeting to March 6th, 2025 which is beyond the final reading of the budget bill. This would still enable decisions to be taken in relation to council tax in time for appropriate notice to be given.

The Amendment from the Labour Group and Cllr Murtagh

1. Rejected recommendations 1 to 4 within the Education Service Redesign (Learning Week) Proposal (Appendix 1).
2. Confirmed that there will be no further proposal for academic year 2025/26 in which an asymmetric week and/or any reduction in core learning hours will be brought forward for consideration.
3. Rejected the suggestion that any reduction in Additional Support Needs support is an acceptable alternative.
4. Recognised the ongoing financial position of the council and affirms its commitment to the Financial Strategy agreed on October 3rd, 2024.
5. Instructed the Director of Education to report to full Council on the ASN Service Review and Learning Estate Review as soon as possible.
6. Agreed to postpone the budget setting meeting to March 6th, 2025. This is beyond the final reading of the Scottish Government budget bill, but still early enough to allow appropriate notice of council tax.

Decision

Council voted 19 to 9 in favour of the amendment.