Agenda and minutes

Following nomination, it was proposed, seconded and AGREED for Councillor Lee Steptoe to act as Vice-Chairman, for this meeting.

The Council welcomes engagement from members of the public. To speak at this meeting please register no later than 24 hours prior to the date of the meeting via democracy@southkesteven.gov.uk.

There were none.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Susan Sandall, Sarah Trotter, Nikki Manterfield, Paul Wood, Gareth Knight, Virginia Moran and Habibur Rahman

Councillor Graham Jeal substituted for Councillor Gloria Johnson.

Councillor Helen Crawford substituted for Councillor Susan Sandall.

Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

There were none.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2023 were proposed, seconded and AGREED as a correct record.

To present draft Budget proposals and estimates for 2024/25 for both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Account.

The Chairman proposed that the meeting discussion take place in two parts:

·       The General Fund (1^st part)

·       Housing Revenue Account (2^nd part)

·       General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (2^nd part)

The General Fund

The Deputy Leader of the Council presented the draft budget report.

The report set out the timetable for the setting of Council tax and budgets for 2024/25.

Consultation would be launched following Cabinet on 18 January 2024.

The report set out the funding projections for the next three years and the budget presented showed a balanced position for next year but deficits for the following years.

A balanced position had been achieved without any reliance on reserves which is an achievement given the financial challenges facing all authorities.

Funding would also be utilised to catch up on backlog of neglected maintenance at the Council’s art centres, leisure centres and car parks.

It was noted that the Council had agreed to adapt the ground floor of the Picturehouse as a new Customer Service Centre. The Council were actively looking for tenants for the other part of the units within the ground floor.

Works on the new depot at Turnpike Close, Grantham would begin in 2024, which would replace the current depot that was at its maximum capacity.

The Committee’s opinion of the 3% (£5.31 rather than £5) increase in Council Tax was requested. The increase was suggested in order to meet the needs of residents and to take advantage of the accumulative growth in Council Tax.

Secondly, an opinion was requested on the increase in prices on the green bin from £49 to £51, but also the increase in the cost of a second green bin from £40 to £42. The Council were working towards a subsidy for the purchase of compost bins for resident who did not have enough compost capacity, which may reduce the need for a first and second green bin.

The Committee was asked to consider Leisure SK Ltd fees for 2024/25, whereby Leisure SK Ltd had requested more than £400,000 for their operating costs as a management fee.

The Deputy Chief Executive clarified that the budget had been based on the provisional settlement by Government, the Government consultation had since closed and the final settlement may change the figures contained within the report.

A detailed table was included in the report regarding Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP). A table within the report extrapolated the MRP liability for the Council going forward which was driven by projects such as St Martins Park and the new depot.

Fees and charges would be considered earlier to allow a more managed process for renewal of the green waste bins.

The following questions were raised by Committee Members:

·       Further clarification was sought around the green bin charges and whether a third and fourth green bin had been considered.

It was clarified that the current green bin charges were £49, it was proposed to go up to £51 for the following year. The second and subsequent green  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

There were none.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 16:45.