To receive a presentation on King’s Lynn Special Expenses.
Minutes:
Toby Cowper, Principal Accountant gave a presentation to the Committee on King’s Lynn Special Expenses. The presentation covered the following:
· What are ‘Special Expenses’?
· What Special Expenses were charged for?
· How the Special Expenses were calculated.
The Committee noted that the estimated Special Expenses Charge for 2016/2017 would be £43.33.
Councillor Collop stated that King’s Lynn was the only area that could not spend its money where it wanted to. He added that people should know where the money was being spent.
The Executive Director explained that a special expense charge was made on Hunstanton, Downham Market and King’s Lynn.
Councillor Rochford added that as he understood it King’s Lynn Councillors were elected to give the views of the public.
Councillor Collop stated that Hunstanton had some control over how money was spent. He added that King’s Lynn Councillors had never had the chance to have an input on how money was spent.
In accordance with Standing Order 34, Councillor Mrs E Nockolds stated that at the Regeneration & Development Panel held last night, a report on Grounds Maintenance had been considered and agreed a Special Expense for all Parishes. In addition, the Council held budget meetings which any Councillor could come along at speak at. This Committee had also been formed and could put its views forward.
The Chairman stated that from the debate there was obviously a desire for the Committee to be able to discuss this item in greater detail. He suggested that an item be added to the Work Programme earlier to allow a discussion on special expenses.
The Principal Accountant suggested it could be considered at the September meeting as part of the budget process.
Councillor Mrs Wilkinson also requested that a paper be written for the item rather than a power-point presentation.
Councillor Mrs Wilkinson also requested a list of street lights and numbers be sent to her.
Councillor Smith referred to closed churchyards and asked why the Council had to pay for that. In response, it was explained that the Council had a statutory responsibility for closed churchyards.
The Committee then discussed the issue of grounds maintenance. The Executive Director explained that the County previously only paid for 5 cuts on highway grass. The Council had taken on the responsibility to cut the grass on highways to ensure it was kept to a high standard. The County Council were now only going to pay for 4 cuts per year. A review had been carried out and each individual space had been looked at. For example if Winston Churchill Drive was only cut 4 times per year then it would make the area look untidy and the estate would deteriorate. It had been agreed to implement an 18, 12 or 6 cut regime, and areas had been allocated into these cut regimes. This could be reduced or increased as required.
The Executive Director explained that the Borough Council would be receiving 20% less from Norfolk County Council in relation to grounds maintenance. The Borough Council was receiving less money from Government and had to look at different ways of working.
The Executive Director suggested that the Committee might want to consider, as part of Special Expenses, a list of aspirations for King’s Lynn.
AGREED: (1) That Special Expenses be added to the Committee’s Work Programme for September.
(2) That the Committee considers their aspirations for King’s Lynn at the next meeting.