Agenda item

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The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer presented the report.

The Chair invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor Fry questioned the variance difference between Council tax collected and the budgeted spend.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained central government had set a cap on how much Council Tax could be increased. He added the King’s Lynn Area Committee received part of Council Tax the Borough Council collects. He highlighted to the Committee 4.1 of the report where open spaces were being reviewed to find savings and reduce the budget gap.

In response to a question form Councillor Sayers, the Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained, when setting the budget, previous years costs and seasonal trends were considered however variations such as weather impact heating and lighting costs. He added the Fairstead Community Centre provides a good level of income however there are costs for usage and maintenance but clarified the budgeted figures were estimates. 

Councillor Collop questioned the increase from £900 to £2000 in relation to the Gaywood Remembrance Service.

Councillor Rust clarified the previous year’s costs was £1200 and provided further detail on the costs of security increasing along with the cost of closing the road for the Gaywood Remembrance Service. Councillor Rust questioned the costs of Dutton Pavilion and asked for further information on if it was being used.

In response to a follow up question from Councillor Fry, the Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained the Committee received an element of what the Borough Council collect from Council Tax and this could only be increased by £5 based on a Band D property per annum. He explained it was a decision by Full Council how much was allocated to the King’s Lynn Area Committee. He added the Council Tax for next year’s budget would be decided on at Full Council in February 2026.

Councillor Sayers questioned when the review of open spaces was to be completed and if this was to be reported to the Committee.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained this was a continuous review and there was to be an opportunity for Members to input in January and reminded Members a Special Expenses report was to be presented at the next Committee meeting.

The Chair, Councillor Jones sought clarification on how the spend on pavilions was rationalised if there was no income being made from them.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer highlighted the two pavilions were Dutton and King’s Way. He advised he would seek further information from the Property Services team but advised there was legal requirement for maintenance at these pavilions.

In response to Councillor Rust and Councillor Jones, it was confirmed the Dutton Pavillion costs on Plumbing and heating were required to proactively to mitigate against the risk of legionella. He added the Pavillion was used at weekends and there was an opportunity to increase its use, as part of the leisure and wellbeing strategy with a view to seeking external sports funding.

RESOLVED:  The Committee considered the outturn for 2024/2025 and the monitoring position and projected outturn for 2025/2026 as detailed in the report.