Issue - meetings

Stephen Fitzgerald, Interim Head of Corporate Resources, introduced the report which set out the progress on the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Revenue Projects and Treasury Management for 2022/23. He noted it was the first report for 2022/23, and there is a projected underspend of £81,000 but it is difficult to make accurate predictions for the year end.   He highlighted car parking income, and the leisure contract which is consistent with other national contracts for leisure facilities. Other areas of concern are the current inflationary pressures affecting all large organisations and the movement of interest rates. 

The Leader welcomed the positive start outlined in the first progress report.

The Cabinet Member for Community noted that the report demonstrates the Council’s competent in financial management, expressed concerns on inflation, energy costs, wage demands and increasing construction costs which will impact on future projects.

The Cabinet Member for Leisure and Parking queried whether the Council had budgeted sufficient additional funds for increases in energy costs and wages increases.  She congratulated the officers on good financial management after a couple of challenging years.  

The Deputy Leader welcomed the positive start to the year, he confirmed there will be national and global challenges  which will impact on the budget as the year progresses. He highlighted the Centre for Outdoor Sports in Burgess Hill which will deliver high quality sports provision, noting the work to continue consulting with local sports clubs in the area to try and fulfil their future aspirations.

The Cabinet Member for Economic Growthreferenced Paragraph 8 of the report  expressing optimism that car parking income would continue to increase as footfall figures return to pre-pandemic levels, and that anychanges to the use of sustainable transport should be noted.

In response to a Member’s questions Judy Holmes, Assistant Chief Executive advised there were no concerns with the garden waste income, the discrepancy was due to profiling.  With regard to the Domestic Violence Fund the Government had asked councils to develop a strategy with county councils and other district and boroughs, she confirmed the money is ring fenced to deliver that strategy.

The Leader noted that no Member wished to speak further and moved to vote on the recommendations which were agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED

Cabinet recommended to Council:

(i)    that £7,293 grant income in respect of a payment for Rough Sleepers be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph27;

(ii)   that £20,761 grant income relating to Implementing Welfare Reform be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph28;

(iii)  that that £23,237 grant income for new burdens relating to Verify Earnings & Pensions be transferred to Specific Reserve as detailed in paragraph29:

(iv)  that £33,660 grant income relating to Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation funding be transferred to Specific Reserves as detailed in paragraphs30;

(v)   that £50,000 grant income relating to delivery of the Local Land Charges Programme timetable for the transition of LLC1 be transferred to General Reserve as detailed in paragraphs31;

(vi)  the variations to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5