Agenda item

RESOLVED:  The Committee established an informal working group to discuss and review Special Expenses including identifying savings.

The Committee endorsed the proposed Special Expenses charge for 2026/27 as set out in section 2.2 of the report

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION: Making recommendations on the utilisation of Special Expenses for King’s Lynn was within the original terms of reference of the Committee.

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The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer presented the report. He also advised that there had been many enquiries in relation to the costs that make up this budget. As a result, proposed that the Council’s Finance Team review costs and income streams and make proposals back to the Committee during 2026/27 on key opportunities to reduce subsidisation by the Borough Council and improve understanding for the Committee, where they can impact the costs and income in the Special Expenses budget.

The Chair invited questions and comments from the Committee.

Councillor Sayers sought clarification on bus shelters and asked if the figures were net costs or gross costs and there was no revenue against it.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer confirmed it was net costs and highlight the income received had reduced as a contractor had dropped out but highlighted there was an opportunity for other advertisement which needed to be explored.

Councillor Bone commented there was inconsistency around the figures not aligning to his expectations as the budget for toilets cost less than dog waste bins. He outlined his support for the Council Tax Support Scheme. He questioned where the efficiencies and savings were to come from.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained the priority was the three/four areas which were better opportunities for promoting greater use and income streams – exploring pavilions and liaising with leisure services to generate additional income. He added that supply of utilities at community centres and exploring LED lighting and could be considered for reducing costs and accessing more preferable contracts. He commented further that high transport costs for maintenance of Public Conveniences could be explored with the operations team.

Councillor Joyce commented that the finance team needed to liaise with members of King’s Lynn Area Committee to bring forward ideas to reduce costs and the Special Expenses overall. He suggested an informal working group could be created.

Councillor Collop referred to the Gaywood Remembrance Service and the changes in figures – increase of £250 for first aiders. She questioned if King’s Lynn, Downham Market and Hunstanton also paid for first aiders.

The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection advised that  first aiders were required at public events and in regard to Downham Market and Hunstanton these events were organised in the same way in which the Gaywood Remembrance Service was. He confirmed that he would provide further details back to the Committee.

Councillor Bone provided knowledge on the cost of the quote for first aid and confirmed the need along with an event management plan and highlighted St Johns Ambulance were used for the Tower Gardens service.

Councillor Heneghan requested a financial breakdown including what was covered for the costs for Open Spaces.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained Open Spaces was an area which was prioritised for a deeper dive to gain further context. He explained a robust piece of work needed to be done, in order to make the records of cost calculations more presentable for committee.

The Chair, Councillor Everett commented that the figures presented in the report were high and a further breakdown would be useful for the Committee.

Councillor Heneghan suggested that there was a lack of understanding of expenditure by the Committee.

Councillor Sayers highlighted the challenges with dog waste bins being collected and added that the capital was there for the Committee, but it was the revenue that was the issue. He commented on street lighting and questioned if the cost was for repair or maintenance. In addition, he referred to lighting at the bus station and the impact of the issues at this location.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained how the cost was calculated – the cost of the lights in the borough including maintenance inspection and utility costs and considering the number of lights within the remit of King’s Lynn to identify the average cost of each light.

Councillor Sayers further questioned the travel and fuel costs of a journey as the depot was at Old Meadow Road and the difference in cost travelling to King’s Lynn compared to rural areas of the Borough. 

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained calculations were complex for some services such as Open Spaces, but a level of pragmatism was also needed.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer clarified in response to Councillor Kemp, under Standing Order 34, that if a town council were established, the Borough Council would no longer collect the special expenses share, thus avoiding double taxation, and that the process for setting up a town council would begin in the new year.

Councillor Joyce commented if special expenses were reduced then there that could lead to available revenue. However alternative funding could come from car parking, but that is retained by the Borough Council. He added financial control and management needed to be considered over any available revenue.

Councillor Colwell commented on the KLAC Support Officer role and questioned where this was to be funded from as it was included in the report. 

The Assistant Director for Health, Wellbeing and Public Protection explained the post would be funded by the KLAC budget which did not relate to Special Expenses.

Councillor Joyce proposed the establishment of an informal working group to work with the finance team to review special expenses, identify potential savings, and report back with recommendations.

Councillor Bone seconded the proposal from Councillor Joyce.

The Assistant Director for Finance and Deputy Section 151 Officer explained the deadline for consultation on the budget which would be put to Council in February 2026. He added that the creation of an informal working group would be discussed with the Monitoring Officer as there was work upcoming for the Committee in relation to the creation of a Town Council.

RESOLVED: (1)         The Committee established an informal working group to discuss and review Special Expenses including identifying savings.

(2)        The Committee endorsed the proposed Special Expenses charge for 2026/27 as set out in section 2.2 of the report