Agenda item

Annual Budget Report 2025/26, Medium Term Financial Strategy and Capital Programme:

To receive a report. 

 

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Christine Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) and Section 151 Officer and Carl Holland, Head of Finance (Client), PSPS Limited to the Meeting.

The report highlighted to Members the final details of the 2025/26 budget, the 5-year Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) from 2025/26 to 2029/30 and Capital Programme which included the recommended level of Council Tax for 2025/26 when considering budgetary pressures including that from the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) levy, pages 1 to 52 of the Supplementary Agenda refer.

Members received a presentation that provided an overview of budget progress which included highlighting budget pressures, risks and considerations, improvements and further opportunities and a summary of the consultation response.  A copy of the presentation is attached at Appendix A to the Minutes.

Members were invited to put their comments and questions forward.

  • Councillor Craig Leyland as Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs advised Members that increasing uncertainty approached with future local government re-organisation and that he was satisfied that the Council was well prepared to deal with the challenges through a carefully considered budget proposal. 
  • The Chairman further commented that East Lindsey District Council was in a better position than many other Councils across the country.  In response, the Section 151 Officer further supported that the Council’s budget was in a good position for facing future challenges.
  • A Member expressed concern about local government reorganisation and considered the measures that could be implemented to ensure that residents’ funds remained for the benefit of residents in East Lindsey and were not dispersed into other district areas. 
  • A Member expressed concern on increases in carparking fees.  In response, the Section 151 Officer advised Members that Full Council had previously agreed RPI increases across all fees and charges and that costs were increasing for all services to keep in line with inflation.
  • A Member further commented that increasing parking fees would not help struggling businesses, especially those in rural market towns.  In response, the Chairman highlighted that many businesses were facing difficult challenges with National Insurance Contribution and wage increases.
  • A Member referred to public comments for Councillors to receive a reduction in their allowances.
  • A Member queried the number of dog wardens in East Lindsey district and their ability to cover such a wide area.  In response, Councillor Craig Leyland as Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs explained to Members that one dog warden was assigned to East Lindsey district and that there were three dog wardens across the Partnership who were supported by enforcement officers. 
  • Members commented on the negative impact on the Partnership of those Councillors approving pay rises at Boston Borough Council.  In, response, Councillor Craig Leyland as Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs advised Members that Councillor pay increases had been recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel and had been considered at each respective Full Council.
  • A Member commented on the lack of financial support for rural areas and queried whether the government was taking the issues into account.  In response, the Section 151 Officer advised Members that funding modelling had shifted away from rural areas to areas that were in higher need and had higher levels of deprivation, however lobbying was being undertaken to increase support for rural services.
  • The Chairman queried the opportunities available for becoming involved in lobbying for support in rural areas.  In response, the Section 151 Officer advised Members that the pathway for becoming involved was through the Local Government Association (LGA) and the Rural Services Network (RSN).

Councillor Craig Leyland as Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Affairs explained to Members that he was a Board Member on the District Councils Network and that lobbying for a rural voice was continuing and this would consider the effects of local government reorganisation.

  • A Member commented that the report provided confidence in the financial competency of the Council and took the opportunity to complement the work of the  Finance team.
  • The Chairman advised Members of the Section 151 Officer’s leaving date and provided thanks and appreciation for all her work over the past few years. 

No further comments or questions were received.

The Chairman thanked Christine Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) and Section 151 Officer and Carl Holland, the Head of Finance (Client), PSPS Limited for attending the Meeting and for the extensive work going into the budget.

N.B Christine Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) and Section 151 Officer and Carl Holland, the Head of Finance (Client), PSPS Limited left the Meeting at 10.55am.

 

Supporting documents: