Issue - meetings

This item reports on the income and expenditure position as at 30 September 2020 and seeks guidance on the preparation of the budget and precept for 2021/22.

The Conservators received a report presenting the income and expenditure position as at 30 September 2020 and seeking guidance on the preparation of the budget and precept for 2021/22.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Impact of Covid-19 pandemic. The Conservators noted that the current pandemic had had a limited impact on their financial position at present, but that it had directly affected the precepting bodies to a much greater extent.

b)            Correction to report. The Conservators noted a correction to paragraph 3.5 of the report. The second sentence was corrected to read:

“The latest forecast of the working balance at 31 March 2021 is £63,048 due to the projected £2,027 underspend and the £5,000 contribution to the working balance as referenced in 3.4 above.” (amendment marked in bold)

c)            Transport insurance recharge. Following a question from a Member with regard to whether the increased cost of the Transport insurance recharge was likely to be a one-off or annual increase, it was noted that Officers would look into the matter and respond to the Member following the meeting.

d)            General office expenses. Following a question from a Member with regard to whether the increased cost of General office expenses was likely to be a one-off or annual increase it was noted that Officers would look into the matter.

e)            Toilets. Following a question from a Member, the Chairman informed the meeting that officers had been requested to undertake a piece of work with regard to the toilet facilities on the Downs and that a report regarding the matter would be presented at a future meeting.

Following consideration, it was unanimously resolved to:

(1)      note the mid-year income and expenditure position as at 30 September 2020;

(2)      request officers to prepare the budget for 2021/22 on the basis detailed in paragragh 2.5 of the report and to provide officers with further guidance on the preparation of the budget at a future date if felt appropriate.