Issue - meetings

The Director of Finance and Business Improvement introduced the report and outlined the significant changes since the budget proposals were previously reported to the Committee. Following the announcement of the Local Government Finance Settlement 2022/23, the Council would receive £225,000 of Services Grant, £146,000 of Lower Tier Services Grant and the New Homes Bonus payments would be increased from £3.8 million in 2021/22 to £4.2 million in 2022/23.  Inflation had caused additional pressure as it was significantly higher than the 2% base assumption in the budget.

Within the revenue budget, £99,000 had been allocated for a permanent Arts and Culture Officer and operational budget to continue a programme of events, and a reduced income budget for Maidstone market had been proposed as the market was not able to meet income targets. Within the capital budget, indicative figures of £30 million and £500,000 had been allocated for leisure provision and the riverside walk respectively.

In response to questions, the Director of Finance and Business Improvement confirmed that it was not possible to transfer money between capital and revenue budgets. Both the Tuesday and Saturday markets were operating, however the drop in income was largely due to the Tuesday market.

The Head of Regeneration and Economic Development explained that the Cobtree Manor Estate owned the majority of Cobtree golf course, but the portion owned by the Council provided a useful income stream. Due to the commercially sensitive nature of the contract with the golf course operator, the precise terms of arrangements with the operator could not be discussed in more detail during the meeting. 

RESOLVED: That

1.  The revenue budget proposals for services within the remit of this Committee, as set out in Appendix A, be agreed for submission to Policy and Resources Committee;

2.  The capital budget proposals for services within the remit of this Committee, as set out in Appendix B, be agreed for submission to Policy and Resources Committee;

3.  Officers be thanked for their work on the budget proposals; and

4.  Museum Officers be thanked for their work in securing further grants from the Arts Council for the Museum’s learning and events programme.