Issue - meetings

This item reports on the income and expenditure position as at 31 August 2024 and seeks guidance on the preparation of the budget and precept for 2025/26.

The Conservators received a report on the income and expenditure position as at 31 August 2024 and seeking guidance on the preparation of the budget and precept for 2025/26.

The following matters were considered:

a)            Metal Detector Licenses. A Member of the Conservators asked if there was an explanation as to why less metal detector permits had been purchased compared to previous years, and if the trend was expected to continue. The Streetcare Manager informed the Conservators that this was the first year that metal detector permits did not sell out, which was unusual, as normally they are oversubscribed. The Streetcare Manager did not have an explanation as to why this was the case and informed the Conservators that if the trend continues next year, the budget will need to be looked at and reduced accordingly. The Chair requested the Streetcare Manager to look into this further, to ascertain why there has been a decrease and to compare the numbers from last year to this year.

b)            Precepts. The Chair asked Conservators if they had any questions or comments regarding the 3% increase in precepts. The Conservators did not have questions or comments regarding the precepts.

Following consideration, the Conservators unanimously resolved to:

(1)      Note the mid-year income and expenditure position;

(2)      Provide guidance on the preparation of the budget for 2025/26;

(3)      Note the conclusion of the 2023/24 external audit of the accounts.