There were no declarations of interest by Members in terms of Standing Order 10 and Section 5 of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of the Party Whip.

Submitted report by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Support) on the Council’s revenue spending requirements and anticipated funding for 2018/19 to 2020/21, the level of reserves and fund balances held by the Council, and options to address the funding gap. 

Councillor Cullinane thanked officers for their work in preparing the report and addressed the meeting on the Administration's budget proposals.

Thereafter, Councillor Cullinane, seconded by Councillor Bell, moved that the Council approve the proposals set out in the report, subject to the amendments set out in Appendix NAC1 to these Minutes.

Members were then afforded an opportunity to ask questions of the movers of the motion.

As an amendment, Councillor Billings, seconded by Councillor Ferguson, moved that the Council agree to approve the recommendations set out in the report.

The Provost intimated that there would be a recess for one hour to allow Members to consider the terms of the motion and amendment submitted and give consideration to any further amendments.

The meeting reconvened at 1.55 p.m. with the same Members and Officers present and in attendance, with the exception of Councillor Glover.

Councillor Larsen then addressed the Council on behalf of the Opposition, thanking officers for their work and responding to the Administration's budget proposals.

As a further amendment, Councillor Larsen, seconded by Councillor Burns, moved that the Council approve the proposals set out in the report, subject to the amendments set out in Appendix NAC2 to these Minutes.

As a further amendment, Councillor Hill, seconded by Councillor Gurney, moved that the Council agree to approve a budget for 2018/19 with consequentials for 2019/20 subject to budget line SP-EC-18-45a (Review of Public Library Services) and SP-EC-18-48 (Reivew of Community Centres) not being approved for future years, and being subject to public consultation and future reports to Cabinet.

As a further amendment, Councillor Barr, seconded by Councillor Donald L. Reid) moved that the Council approve the recommendations set out in the report, subject to a commitment that libraries in the Garnock Valley be excluded from the Review of Libraries (SP-EC-18-45a).

Following summing up, on a division, there voted for the amendment by Councillor Billings and seconded by Councillor Ferguson, 17, and for the motion 12.  The amendment became the substantive motion.

There then voted for the amendment proposed by Councillor Larsen and seconded by Councillor Burns, 12, and for the substantive motion 5.  The amendment became the substantive motion.

There then voted for the amendment proposed by Councillor Hill and seconded by Councillor Gurney, 15, and for the substantive motion 0.  The amendment became the substantive motion.

There then voted for the amendment proposed by Councillor Barr and seconded by Councillor Donald L. Reid, 6, and for the substantive motion 11, and the substantive motion was declared carried.

Accordingly, the Council agreed to approve the recommendations in the report, subject to the changes set out in Appendix NAC3 to these Minutes, all as more particularly shown in Appendix NAC4.

Submitted report by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Support) on the draft Capital Investment Programme 2027/28.

Councillor Cullinane thanked officers for their work in preparing the report and addressed the meeting on the Administration's budget proposals.

Councillor Cullinane, seconded by Councillor Bell, moved that the Council approve the recommendations set out in the report, subject to (a) the removal of the proposed allocation in 2018/19 of £486,674 to the Improvement Fund – Year 1 and (b) the allocation of £200,000 to Ayrshire College Partnership Development, £132,000 to Woodside Primary School Playingfield drainage, and £154,674 to Kilbirnie Cemetery, all in 2018/19.

 The Council adjourned at 2.55 p.m. for a short recess to allow Members to consider the terms of the motion.  The meeting reconvened at 3.15 p.m. with the same Members and Officers present and in attendance.

As an amendment, Councillor Larsen, seconded by Councillor Burns, moved that the Council approve the recommendations set out in the report, subject to (a) the removal of the proposed allocation in 2018/19 of £486,674 to the Improvement Fund – Year 1 and (b) the allocation of this sum to the Ayrshire College Partnership Development in 2018/19.

Following questions, debate and summing up, on a division, there voted for the amendment 11 and for the motion 20, and the motion was declared carried.

Accordingly, the Council agreed to approve the recommendations set out in the report subject to (a) the removal of the proposed allocation in 2018/19 of £486,674 to the Improvement Fund – Year 1 and (b) the allocation of £200,000 to Ayrshire College Partnership Development, £132,000 to Woodside Primary School Playingfield drainage, and £154,674 to Kilbirnie Cemetery, all in 2018/19.

Submitted report by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Support) on the proposed Strategy for Treasury Management and Investment activities within the Council for the financial year 2018/19.

Councillor Cullinane, seconded by Councillor Bell, moved that the Council approve the proposals set out in the report.  There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried.

Submitted report by the Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Support) on the anticipated annual income and expenditure of the Common Good Funds and Trusts administered by North Ayrshire Council and which sought approval for the level of grant funding to be made available for disbursement in 2018/19.

Following a question by Councillor Gallagher on the status of Elected Members with regards to Common Good Funds and Trusts, the Head of Democratic Services undertook to arrange a Members Seminar on the subject.

Councillor Cullinane, seconded by Councillor Bell, moved that the Council approve the proposals set out in the report.  There being no amendment, the motion was declared carried.

The meeting ended up 3.40 p.m.

Ian Clarkson, Robert Barr, John Bell, Timothy Billings, Joy Brahim, Marie Burns, Joe Cullinane, Scott Davidson, Anthea Dickson, John Easdale, Todd Ferguson, Robert Foster, Scott Gallacher, Alex Gallagher, Margaret George, John Glover, Tony Gurney, Alan Hill, Christina Larsen, Shaun Macaulay, Jean McClung, Ellen McMaster, Ronnie McNicol, Louise McPhater, Davina McTiernan, Jimmy Miller, Jim Montgomerie, Ian Murdoch, Donald Reid, Donald L. Reid, Angela Stephen and John Sweeney.

E. Murray, Chief Executive; L. Friel, Executive Director (Finance and Corporate Support); C. Hatton, Executive Director and Y. Baulk, Head of Physical Environment (Place);  K. Yeomans, Executive Director (Economy and Communities); J. Butcher, Executive Director (Education and Youth Employment); S. Brown, Interim Director and S. Hanif, Head of Finance (Health and Social Care Partnership); and A. Fraser, Head of Democratic Services, A. Craig, Senior Manager (Legal Services), M. Gilmour, Senior Communications Officer (Media and Internal Communications); D. McCaw, H. Clancy and E. Gray, Committee Services Officers and M. Anderson, Committee Services Team Leader (Chief Executive's Service).

Provost Clarkson in the Chair.

The Provost welcomed those present to the meeting and dealt with preliminary matters, which included an announcement that the Council meeting would be webcast.

The Provost invited intimation of apologies for absence, which were recorded.

The Provost, on behalf of the Council, extended his best wishes to Councillor Marshall for a speedy recovery.