Issue - meetings

To consider the Spalding Special Expenses Draft Budget 2023/24 (report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development and S151 enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development and S151) which considered the Draft Spalding Special Expenses Draft Budget 2023/24.

The Chairman introduced the Assistant Director – Finance, who would be able to answer any questions on the Spalding Special Expenses Draft Budget The Assistant Director of Finance advised:

• That the Special Expenses Draft Budget shows the services that are delivered by the Council but deemed specifically for the Spalding Town area.
• The Council Budget had experienced inflationary pressures, the Council are proposing a budget for 23/24 of £240,000 versus last year’s £233,000.
• There would be an increase on Council Tax of taxable properties in the Spalding area. For example, a typical band D property will experience an increase of ninety pence per week, from £24.57 to £25.47, a percentage increase of 3.7 %.
• The government had set its Council Tax referendum limits at £5.00 or 3%, whichever was greater.
• The Town Forum and South Holland’s Council budgets will be within the referendum principal set by Government.
• Section 3.7 of the Spalding Special Expenses Draft Budget report provided a detailed breakdown of the subjective headings for the areas within the Forum budget.
• It was confirmed that no requests had been received from St Mary’s and St Nicholas Parish Church regarding an increase of maintenance budget for the church yard.

• Reference was also made that Spalding has many different banded properties so the increase would vary, depending on what band property residents lived in.
• It was suggested to make sure the authority was as energy efficient as possible in all Council buildings given the currently energy crisis.
• Officers were currently reviewing ways to save energy and reviewing estimates that had been set prior to the energy crisis, to ensure that they reflected the latest energy prices.

The Chairman raised the following points.

·        Expressed his concern on the energy crisis and suggested everyone who works within the Council Buildings, be energy efficient.

·        Discussed the issue with the Floodlights at Halley Stewart football ground, hoping future developments would resolve the energy issue.

·         Ensuring that we were mindful of future projects being as cost effective as possible.

The question was raised if solar panels would be installed on existing council properties to make them more energy efficient.

• The Chairman responded,
  • This was outside of the forums remit, suggested this may be more practical on new builds.
  • Cllr Lawton responded that as a council we were following the Councils green agenda but conceded it would not be practical to install solar panels on existing Council property but would make enquiries to see if there were any pilot schemes being trialled.