Agenda item

To consider the draft Spalding Special Expenses budget for 2024/25(report of the Deputy Chief Executive-Corporate Development) (S151) enclosed)

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (corporate Development and S151) which considered the Draft Spalding Special Expenses budget for 2024/25

The Chief Finance Officer informed the Forum that part of the 24/25 budget setting process would be to consult with the Forum regarding the post budget and the level of council tax that would be recommended to Cabinet for the coming financial year.

• The papers contained the proposed Special Expenses Budget setting for the current financial year which was shown in appendix A.
• The aforementioned represented a budget of £246.418 for 24/25, an increase of approximately £5k over the current financial year, this equates to a Council Tax Band D charge of £25.83 per Band D property, an increase of £1.26 per annum, per property.

The Chief Finance Officer wanted to specify that the level of council tax was governed by central government.

• Central government limit the amount of increase allowed to go through on the council tax charge, equally taking into consideration SHDC B and D charge, therefore the calculations showed that the £1.26 increase was the maximum permission without incurring or breaching any referendum limits.

The report in Appendix A details further information regarding the budget.

• In essence it was a stand still budget, with reflections of inflationary increases.

The Chief Finance Officer would be happy to answer any questions.

The Chairman had previously convened with the Chief Finance Officer, the Chairman briefed the Forum that although the budget remained equivalent, any excess funds would be transferred to the Spalding Special Reserves.

• The reserves had previously been used to fund events, such as the King’s Coronation, subject to Cabinet approval.
• The Chairman would like the Forum to be aware of the reserve funds and how they could be utilised.
• The Spalding Special Expenses budget was for the Forum to note and feedback any comments.

The Chairman informed the Forum that Spalding Play Parks did not currently receive any funding in the budget, he wished the Chief Finance Officer to note this when considering future budget setting.

Members asked the following questions;

• Why had the budget for the Christmas lights/decorations been reduced?

• Could the brackets that had previously been mounted on the sides of shop walls be utilised?
  • Cllr J Le Sage informed the Forum that in previous years brackets had been mounted on the sides of walls in which small Christmas trees could be displayed. Some of these existing brackets are still visible and could be reused for tree decorations if funding was available.

The Chairman of the Forum made reference to the quality of the lights being outmoded and essentially should be replaced.

• It was deemed that various other funding areas would be necessary to renew the town centre Christmas lights and decorations.
• Funding could be available from UKSPF, this would need to be explored along with other funding opportunities.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing, Leisure Centre Delivery and Town Centre Improvement referenced that it was important to celebrate Christmas, to create a destination experience, especially over the Community Christmas events.

• The vote for the BID (Business Improvement District) takes place later in the year, which would present business more freedom and finances to spend on Town Centre events, which would include the Christmas Lights and decorations.

The Forum had agreed that improvements needed to be made.

The Forum noted the report.

The Chairman thanked the Chief Finance Officer for their attendance.