Agenda item

(A report by Brendan Arnold, Interim Director of Finance (S151 Officer))

The Committee received a report from the Head of Finance Delivery (PSPSL) which provided an overview of the financial position of BTAC as at the end of the Quarter 1 for the financial year 2025/6. The purpose of the report was to ensure that the forecast position for the year was considered and that reserve sums held were noted, supporting Members in maintaining financial probity and making informed decisions regarding future spending within the BTAC area.

The report summarised the position across all service areas and highlighted a forecast overspend of £907, as detailed in Appendix A – Table 1 attached within the report. The anticipated reserve balance at 31^st March 2026 was £289,192, which included the minimum required reserve of £70,000. The opening reserve balance on 1 April 2025 had been £293,825.

The Head of Finance Delivery explained the main variances:

·         Open spaces and play areas showed a projected overspend of £12,130, primarily due to additional employee costs following a staffing role change from Events.

·         Central Park reflected a surplus position of £8,734, largely due to the cessation of the gate locking service from August.

·         Public Conveniences had an overspend of £11,339, attributed to increased material costs and an anticipated shortfall in income from fees and charges, based on Quarter 1 actuals. This was partly offset by income from Mayfair and the Autumn Fare events.

·         Events showed a forecast surplus of £22,676, resulting from the movement of employee costs to Open Spaces and additional income of £8,000 from space hire for the Autumn Fair.

·         Administration recorded a saving of £26,144, primarily relating to the street cleaning service review.

Members sought clarification on several points during discussion:

·         The overspend on the cash collection service for public conveniences was explained as resulting from a change in collection arrangements, moving from in-house collection by Council staff to an external provider. Officers agreed to explore whether a return to the previous, cheaper method was possible.

·         Questions were raised regarding the agency costs for a vacant post within Public Conveniences, the removal of the Markets Officer post, and the nature of the Autumn Fair income. Officers undertook to provide further details outside the meeting.

·         Members also queried the absence of expenditure against the street cleaning budget line, which was clarified as a saving following a service review that determined the charge was not necessary for BTAC.

Further discussion took place on the reserve position. Members noted that the current reserve balance was significantly above the minimum requirement and considered whether some of the funds could be used to promote Boston town centre or enhance tourism as part of BTAC’s legacy. It was agreed that this matter would be considered during the forthcoming budget-setting process, alongside advice from the Section 151 Officer. Officers reminded Members that the figures presented were Quarter 1 projections and did not reflect commitments for the remainder of the year.

1.    Resolved:

That the forecast overspend of £907 for 2025/26, as detailed in Appendix A – Table 1, be noted; and

That the forecast reserve balance of £289,192 as at 31^st March 2026 be noted.