The online Dialogue community engagement tool generated 34 individual ideas with 91 comments on these ideas from other members of the public.
These ideas have been used to inform the 2016-17 to 2020-21 financial planning process.
We asked
Do you have ideas on how we could do things differently to save money?
You said
Increase outsourcing to drive efficiencies.
We did
Included in the Revenue Financial Plan are proposals around developing alternative service delivery models to drive efficiency which will include outsourcing options.
You said
Reduce the number of Councillors and payments to Councillors.
We did
The number of Councillors and Payments to Councillors are set nationally in Scotland therefore we have no opportunity to reduce costs in this area.
You said
Turn off all street lights after midnight.
We did
This opportunity was considered by the Administration but was discounted as a feasible option to reduce costs due to negative feedback from other Local Authorities who have already implemented this change and concerns over perceived community safety.
You said
Use of Solar Panels/reduce heating levels in Council buildings.
We did
We are committed through our Capital and Revenue Financial Plans to develop energy efficiency options to maximise benefits to us.
You said
Using derelict buildings instead of building new.
We did
Options appraisals will continue to be undertaken during the planning stage of all building works to determine whether the refurbishment of existing buildings or building new is the most efficient and effective option.
You said
Plant wild flower beds.
We did
As part of the Parks and Open Spaces review we are currently engaging with local community groups to identify and establish were we can reduce our grass cutting and maintenance regimes and introduce things like wild meadows and wild planting and encourage biodiversity.
You said
Plant food crop trees, shrubs and herbs on public land.
We did
As part of the Parks and Open Spaces review we are exploring this option, we do already have an example of this in Chirnside, Berwickshire where we have piloted a reduction in the frequency of grass cutting and have planted fruit trees.
You said
Save on fuel.
We did
We have included proposals within the Financial Plan around mileage efficiencies and more effective and efficient use of vehicles £215k.
You said
Stop salting roads.
We did
We have a duty, under The Roads (Scotland) Act 1984, to provide a winter service across its road network and Section 34 states:
A roads authority shall take such steps as they consider reasonable to prevent snow and ice endangering the safe passage of pedestrians and vehicles over public roads.
This clearly intimates that we have a responsibility to apply winter treatment to its adopted road network when a weather forecast predicts that frost/ice or snow conditions will occur to its road network. Rock salt is one of the most recognised de-icing materials available to prevent ice forming on road surfaces during freezing winter weather. The decision to apply salt to our primary road network is taken based on a specific weather forecast provide to us daily by the Met Office. This forecast provides predicted minimum road temperatures throughout the 24 hour forecast period and the resultant road conditions which will occur, resulting from these temperatures. It is on this information that the decision on whether or not to apply salt to the roads is based.
You said
Reduce overtime.
We did
We have included proposals within the Financial Plan around reviewing Working Practices which will include ensuring overtime is deployed in the most efficient and effective way.
You said
Reduce the cost of pensions.
We did
We set the minimum contribution level necessary to ensure that the pension fund and the 9.5k pensioners, scheme members and their dependants have access to a pension on retirement. We reduce the cost of the scheme by investing in a range of asset classes to maximise returns for the fund and minimise the burden on the taxpayer.
You said
Invest in HR team.
We did
There are no proposals included in the Financial Plan to reduce the HR service as we identified this as a key support to enable Transformational change.
You said
Reduce the media/Corporate identity.
We did
Savings are being made in the current year to reduce spend on media branding and printing costs.
You said
Cancel the Tapestry project.
We did
We are committed to the Tapestry project and believe it will provide a focal point for the development of the Rail head and the wider development of the Tweedbank business park and will lead to significant economic benefits including increased visitor numbers for the Scottish Borders.
You said
Reduce back office functions
We did
We are committed to reviewing back office support services as reflected in our Financial Plan. This will include developments through the use of ICT and business process re-engineering to maximise efficiency.
You said
Prioritise Outdoor Education.
We did
As reflected in the Financial Plan, we are maintaining an investment of £152k in Outdoor Education with no budget savings from this area currently included in the Plan. The Service provision includes providing the Bikeability scheme for P5-7 pupils, access to Whiteadder Sailing Centre, Mountain Biking, the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, canoeing, walking expeditions and outdoor learning residential opportunities.
You said
Review Property and Assets
We did
We have significant savings proposals included in the Financial Plan which will be delivered through a review of Property and Assets. Capital receipts of £8.113m are anticipated through property disposals over the 10 year life of the 2016-17 Capital Plan.
You said
Build an Aqua (Water) Park
We did
We have a restricted Capital budget and as such must prioritise programmes of work. There are currently no plans included in the Capital Plan to invest in an Aqua Park.
You said
Invite voluntary tax contributions.
We did
No plans are in place to introduce voluntary tax contributions.
You said
Examine cost/benefit of recycling garden waste.
We did
The withdrawal of the garden waste service has contributed a net £450k per year to our overall budget deficit and a cost/benefit analysis was done at the time we took the decision to remove the service.
You said
Stop the food waste collection scheme.
We did
We have a statutory duty to provide food waste collections in accordance with the Waste (Scotland) Regulations 2012. If we were to stop the food waste collection service it would likely face legal action, potential fines and the requirement to reinstate the service.
You said
Amalgamate jobs.
We did
As reflected in the Financial Plan, we have plans in place to make the best of use of its staff thus increasing efficiency. This will include ensuring professional and support services are more integrated and streamlined and ensuring the optimum deployment of staff across services.
You said
Clean out all drains in the late autumn.
We did
We clean out the gullies within the Scottish Borders once a year. Blockages can occur all year round although known areas that are susceptible to blocking are inspected regularly and cleared when necessary.
You said
Do not spend £1.7m on a 3G pitch in Peebles
We did
We are committed to the development of a synthetic pitch in each main town in the Borders. Sports Scotland will provide £300k external funding towards the £1.6m total cost of the project.
You said
Revise school transport arrangements.
We did
Transportation is provided to mainstream primary children to and from school where the walking distance is in excess of two miles and for secondary children where the walking distance is in excess of three miles. Taxis are provided where a connection is required or where it is more appropriate to meet the needs of the area such as, low number of pupils in the area. For Additional Needs children the transport provision is based on the individual pupil plans and needs as per the Integrated Children's Services Transport Policy. The pupil plan is agreed by the relevant Social Worker, Teacher and parent and is reviewed at least three times per year
You said
Correct placement of signage on roads.
We did
New signs are installed by our Network department in line with Statutory guidance as laid down in The Traffic Signs and General Directions 2002, any specific issues around signage should be reported to us to allow options to be considered.
You said
Prioritisation of the budget.
We did
We approache Financial Planning through a process which considers prioritisation of Services, as such budgets are increased to cover pressures where appropriate.
You said
Sponsored litter and environmental clean up
We did
Locally, we regularly support community groups including resilient community groups, community councils, in bloom groups and others wishing to undertake litter picks providing tools, safety equipment and help with collection and disposal of collected litter. We recognise and reward community involvement in litter clearing as part of the annual Scotland’s Floral Gateway competition, which saw Melrose recognised in particular for its efforts in tackling litter within the community. Nationally, we regularly monitor and assess our cleanliness standards and compare favourably with other similar authorities in Scotland, reporting our monitoring results to Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB). In the Borders, KSB had 17 individual community initiatives registered with them in 2015 involving over 460 local people, which we are supporting through the provision of tools and safety equipment as well as with collection and disposal of litter. We recognise the challenge and would welcome greater business and community involvement in litter maintenance.
You said
Collect fines
We did
It is our policy to recover fines when it is economically viable to do so and where there is a realistic prospect of recovery. We perform well when compared to other Scottish Local Authorities with respect to the management of debts and the collection of income.
Administration and collection of fines is regulated by Scottish Government and Councils have the powers to increase the initial fine by 50% where it remains unpaid after 28 days (which we do). The Scottish Government have plans to increase the amount that can be charged, however, a substantial number of those who receive fines have limited means and collecting a larger fine would not be any easier than collecting a smaller one. Increased fines may act as a deterrent, but only if powers were in place to ensure the bulk of these could be collected and this would require Government legislation to enable Councils to recover from Benefit income, for example, to improve collection rates.