Issue - meetings

This report provides a forecast for 2024/25 and seeks the Joint Management Committee’s approval of both the 2025/26 budget and the recommended contributions to be sought from the constituent authorities.

On account of the fact that the representatives from Whistlestop Arts had not arrived at the meeting, the Committee agreed to bring Item 7 (‘NJMC Finance Report & Budget 2025/26’) of the agenda forward for consideration.

The Committee received a report providing a forecast for 2024/25 and seeking the Joint Management Committee’s approval of both the 2025/26 budget and the recommending contributions to be sought from the constituent authorities.

The Committee considered the following matters:

a)            Events in the Park. In response to a question from a Member, the Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) stated that the Nonsuch Town & Country Show currently ran two events per year in the Park, which were a good source of income for the Council. She explained that one of the greatest and most consistent challenges faced, with respect to arranging events in the Park, was car parking for visitors. She stated that conversations with the organisers of Town & Country Show, with respect to the potential for additional events in the Park, were ongoing.

b)            Tree Works and Maintenance. Following a question from a Member, the Assistant Head of Service (Streetcare) explained that Nonsuch Park was experiencing cases of Ash dieback, as well as Oak Processionary Caterpillars, both of which needed to be dealt with as a priority matter of health and safety. The Accountant stated that it might transpire that additional funding for tree works could be required in future.

c)            Amendment to Wording of Recommendation 3. Councillor Julian Freeman proposed that recommendation 3 be reworded as follows: ‘Agree to seek contributions of £114,330 each from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and the London Borough of Sutton for the financial year 2025/26, as set-out in section 4 of the report’. Councillor Christopher Woolmer seconded the proposal. The Committee voted unanimously in favour of the rewording.

the Committee unanimously resolved to:

(1)          Note the latest 2024/25 forecast position;

(2)          Agree the revenue budget for 2025/26 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report;

(3)          Agree to seek contributions of £114,330 each from Epsom and Ewell Borough Council and the London Borough of Sutton for the financial year 2025/26, as set-out in section 4 of the report.