Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to the 2018/19 budget and to the amounts to be recovered from the constituent bodies.

The Conservators received a report seeking approval to the 2018/19 budget and to the amounts to be recovered from the constituent bodies. The following matter was considered:

a)            3.1% precept increase and car park maintenance. The Conservators were informed that a 3.1% increase in the precept from the constituent bodies was proposed, rather than the 2.0% increase supported at the October 2017 meeting. This was necessary to maintain a balanced budget due to increased car park maintenance costs in light of the scarcity and higher cost of raw materials used (road planings).

The Conservators noted that an alternative approach to the maintenance of the car parks was detailed in paragraph 3.4.2 of the report, which would involve enhancing all car parks with tarmac at an estimated cost of £30,000, followed by an increased annual maintenance cost. The Conservators considered that they did not wish this option to be further explored at present.

Following consideration, the Conservators:

(1)          Agreed the budget for 2018/19 as set out in Annexe 1 to the report, including a request for a 3.1% increase in precept from the constituent bodies as follows:

·                     Epsom and Ewell Borough Council: £234,960

·                     Epsom Downs Racecourse: £117,470

·                     Epsom and Walton Downs Training Board: £39,160