Agenda item

A report of the Head of Financial Services to advise the Loughborough Area Committee of the draft Loughborough Special Expenses budget for 2022/23.

Councillor Morgan joined the meeting at 6:29pm

 

Councillor Smidowicz left the meeting at 7:33pm

 

A report of the Head of Finance to advise the Loughborough Area Committee on the draft Loughborough Special Expense Budget for 2022/23, was submitted (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Heads of Financial Services, Leisure and Culture, Strategic Support and Planning and Regeneration and the Neighbourhoods and Partnerships Manager attended the meeting to provide assistance in consideration of this item. The following responses were provided to questions raised:

 

      i.        There was an adjustment of £82k for the Council Tax base rate which meant additional funds of £64k could be used to support reserves. This was a rolling balance account over a two-year period.

 

    ii.        The Council had previously been working with the Thorpe Acre Residents Association to identify a suitable venue for a community hub facility. There had initially been S106 funds and financial support from Loughborough University allocated towards this project. Partners had since determined that there was not capacity to run the project. Funding received from Loughborough University had been used by partners to support other schemes. 

 

   iii.        As part of the Council’s overall savings proposals, a 5% deduction in Strategic Partner Grants had meant that Gorse Covert and Fearon Hall Community Centres would receive a reduced level of funding from the Council. Members expressed some concern over the implication of this reduction in funding and agreed to propose that the reductions in funding for Fearon Hall and Gorse Covert Community Centre were not approved by Cabinet.

 

   iv.        There was a due process followed with regards to the appropriate placement of CCTV cameras, including consideration of evidence and rules and regulations on privacy.

 

    v.        There were separate budgets allocated for permanent and casual salaries managing CCTV in Loughborough. The 10% reduction in funding for casual salaries did not indicate a reduction in 24 hours monitoring of CCTV. It was highlighted that the casual staff budget had not been required for some time.

 

   vi.        Information on the location of additional allotments in the Loughborough area was not available at the meeting. It was highlighted that the Open Spaces Strategy outlined existing allotment sites and indicated demand for new allotment sites. It was agreed that the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces would provide this information following the meeting.

 

  vii.        The Festive Lights budget included maintenance, testing and installation and other associated costs. The festive lights contract was due for procurement in 2022 and the expenditure of this aspect will depend on the successful contract.

 

 viii.        A more comprehensive break down of costs associated with the metered water budget was requested, including information on how much of the metered water budget was used by the Loughborough in Bloom Scheme. It was agreed that this information would be circulated following the meeting.

 

   ix.        A comprehensive breakdown of the finances associated with the Loughborough in Bloom scheme was requested. It was agreed that this information be circulated following the meeting.

 

    x.        A review on burial charges for people outside of the Borough was planned in order to identify any potential savings in that area. There was no additional information available at the meeting and it was agreed that the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces provide more information to members following the meeting.

 

   xi.        It was not possible to alter the funds within the General Fund and the Loughborough Special Expenses fund.

 

  xii.        Some members expressed concerns over the impact of budget reductions on projects and service areas. It was suggested that in future funds be identified from other service areas to mitigate the cost of budget reductions in other areas.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That the Loughborough Area Committee note the draft Loughborough Special Expense budget for 2022/23 set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

 

2.    That the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces provide information on the potential location of additional allotment sites within the Loughborough area.

 

3.    That a more comprehensive break down of costs associated with the metered water budget be provided to members, including information on how much of the metered water budget was used by the Loughborough in Bloom Scheme.

 

4.    That a comprehensive breakdown of the finances associated with the Loughborough in Bloom scheme was provided to members.

 

5.    That the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces provide information on the review of burial charges for people outside of the Borough. 

 

6.    That it be recommended to Cabinet that they reconsider the proposed reduction in the budgets for Fearon Hall and Gorse Covert Community Centre in the Loughborough Special Expenses Budget for 2022/23.

 

Reasons

 

1.    To enable the views of the Committee to be sought on the draft Loughborough Special Expenses for 2022/23 in accordance with its terms of reference, prior to the final Cabinet budget report on the 10th February 2022 and Council 21st February 2022.

 

2.    To provide members of the committee with information regarding the location of additional allotment sites in the Loughborough area.

 

3.    To provide members of the committee with information regarding the breakdown of the metered water budget.

 

4.    To provide members of the committee with information regarding the finances associated with the Loughborough in Bloom scheme.

 

5.    To provide members of the committee with information regarding the review of burial charges for people outside of the Borough. 

 

6.    To inform Cabinet that the Loughborough Area Committee felt that the reduction in the budgets for Fearon Hall and Gorse Covert Community Centre in the Loughborough Special Expenses Budget for 2022/23 was not appropriate at this time.

 

Post meeting notes:

 

In response to recommendations 3 and 4 the following responses were received from the Head of Financial Services:

 

3) All Parks Loughborough water Budget 2022/23 was £3,400 in total. It was not possible to break this down to reflect usage.

 

4) The  Britain in Bloom Budget for 2022/23 was £20k.

 

In response to recommendations 2 and 5 the following responses were received from the Head of Cleansing and Open Spaces:

 

2)  Officers are yet to identify anywhere for additional allotment sites within Loughborough.

 

Standard allotment plots are very large and many plot holders now prefer a smaller area to manage. As plots become vacant, discussions take place with residents on the waiting list to determine the size of plot that they require. Quite often a standard plot is divided into half plots which are more manageable. This allows officers to reduce the waiting list for an allotment by replacing one tenant with two.

 

Allotment sites are set to be included in the Garendon Park development. It is likely that these will be managed and maintained by someone other than CBC.  

 

5) The Council’s burial charges have three tiers.

1. Residents of Loughborough – Single Charge
2. Residents of Charnwood – Double Charge
3. Non Resident of Charnwood – Triple Charge

 

The multiplier outlined above applies to the internment costs and the exclusive right of burial. More details can be found on the website here: https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/cemetery_fees

 

It is likely that all charges will increase by approx. 10% for 22/23 in order to raise an additional £10k in income. It is hoped that the restrictions on the purchasing of plots in advance will be lifted once the new cemetery is operational.