Council Budget 2019/20: Securing a fairer and more inclusive future for the Capital

The Council has set a balanced budget for 2019/20, with a clear focus on protecting frontline services and investing in services for young people and the city’s most vulnerable residents.Taking on board the results from extensive public consultation, councillors agreed a £1bn package of spending for the next financial year as part of a four-year Change Strategy.Designed to meet the changing demands of the city and its residents, the strategy targets the delivery of high-quality services, while maximising income, investing in prevention and early intervention and ensuring sustainable and inclusive growth.In 2019/20, the Council will invest:£66.7m on new or refurbished primary and secondary schools across the city£59.3m on early years services, doubling provision by April 2020£48.9m for asset management works, as part of five-year £153m investment programme£30m towards fixing potholes and resurfacing roads, as part of four-year £125m roads programme£11m to upgrade street lighting to energy efficient LED lights£5m in improving active travel and £2.4m on cycling projects.Additional investments will be made in:Health and Social Care: up to £15.7m of additional investment to reflect increasing demand, new legislation and to contribute to better outcomes for service usersHomelessness: fund Rapid Access Accommodation pilot and provide funding for one housing officer in each locality focussed on preventing homelessness. This builds on the £2m of extra investment included in the 2018/19 budgetSupported bus services – £0.250m towards enhanced services in rural west Edinburgh.Whilst making the required savings of £33m for the next 12 months, significant investment will continue in those services have residents identified as being most important. These include:£7.3m Pupil Equity Funding aimed at addressing the attainment gap in schools£1.5m additional funding for looked-after children (continued from 18/19)£3m additional funding to address rising rolls, including pupils in need of additional support