The council administration is led by a coalition of SNP and Labour councillors.
They have proposed a budget for the next year which includes measures such as increasing council tax by 3%, increasing car parking charges and some entry fees for council-owned buildings such as the Scott Monument.
The administration say that they will concentrate on dealing with homelessness, education and health and social care.
They announced their plans last year, some of which such as the proposed closure of the City of Edinburgh Music School at Broughton High were met with protests and had to be shelved.
A consultation followed generating some interest and comments from the public, but whether that has swayed their proposals to be put to all councillors today remains to be seen.
The council has a no compulsory redundancy policy and say that no jobs are at risk, and employees will get a rise of around 2-3% with a cap on those earning over £80,000 who will only receive a rise of £1600 per annum. Some measures seem to indicate that services such as libraries and leisure facilities will be hit. Yet again it is proposed to cut night services for noise complaints and funding for Edinburgh Leisure is to be reduced from £420,000 to £270,000.
Leith Theatre is in line to receive funding of £5 million and money has been found to allow all the city’s museums and galleries to open seven days a week. Some of these such as the City Art Centre had reduced their opening hours in a bid to save cash during the last administration.
There is still mention of introducing a tourist tax but that requires legislation from The Scottish Government who do not appear in a hurry to do that.
The council meets later this morning to debate the administration’s proposals. These are countered with motions by the other parties who have their own thoughts on how the £1 billion or so should be spent.
You can watch the budget meeting live here.
There will be deputations by the Edinburgh Tenants Federation and a deputation after a protest staged outside the City Chambers by the Edinburgh Trade Union Council.
Whatever happens (and it is likely that the administration will largely get its way) there will be lively debate and posturing from all sides of the City Chambers later.
We will be there on the floor of the chamber to bring you the news as and when it happens.
This is the text of the administration motion which will be debated :
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
