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Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, TN34 3UY. Please enter the building via the Tourist Information Centre entrance.
Contact: Democratic Services on 01424 451484 email: democraticservices@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Apologies for absence
Minutes:
None received.
Declarations of interest
Minutes:
None received.
Minutes of previous Charity Committee PDF 267 KB
Minutes:
RESOLVED– that the minutes of the meeting held on 14th June 2021 be approved as a true record.
Status Report - Foreshore Trust Business Plan 2019/20 – 2024/25 PDF 743 KB
(Victoria Conheady, Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture)
Minutes:
The Assistant Director, Regeneration and Culture, presented a report to review business plan activity in 2020/21 and the impact of Covid-19 on planned activity.
The impact of Covid-19 on Foreshore Trust activity and assets has been significant with considerable financial impact on car park revenue and tenanted assets. Additionally, key officers were reassigned to manage the Covid-19 response.
Notable highlights of the past year include additional investment in Foreshore Trust assets via opportunities such as the Accelerated Towns Fund. This revitalised the Source Park courtyard and increased the electric vehicle charging points in Pelham Place Cark Park.
It is intended that a new business plan will be developed once the full impact of Covid-19 has been better understood.
The Marketing and Major Projects Manager informed the committee that the Coastal Users’ Group were very pleased with the business plan and asked to be involved in the development of the next 5-year plan.
Councillor Webb thanked the Coastal Users’ Group for their support during this unprecedented period.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. That the update on 2020/2021 Business Plan be noted, as detailed in paragraphs 4- 24.
2. That it is agreed that the activity projected in the 2021/22-2024/2025, as agreed in March 2019 for this financial year be followed if affordable given fiscal impacts due to COVID-19.
3. That the deviations to the current business plan for this financial year (21/22) are noted, as detailed in paragraphs 35-54.
4. To note that due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the financial year 20/21 and 21/22 has meant that a business plan for the 5-year period commencing 2021/2022 was unable to be presented in March 2021
5. That a business plan for the 5-year period commencing 2022/2023 will be worked on and presented as soon as practicable once accounts are completed, the COVID-19 impact on the Foreshore Trust assets are understood, and the level of uncertainty surrounding the ongoing pandemic is reduced.Reasons:
1. The Charity Committee requires a business plan to support its decision-making on the use of Foreshore Trust assets and surpluses.
2. Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic the development of a new 5-year business plan has not occurred. The current agreed business plan runs until March 2025.
3. COVID-19 prevented much of the work needed to refresh the current business plan.Foreshore Trust Finance Report PDF 168 KB
(Peter Grace, Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues)
Additional documents:
- 2020-21 FST Final Finance Report Appendix 1 , item 103. PDF 16 KB
- Appendix 2 , item 103. PDF 166 KB
- Appendix 3 , item 103. PDF 19 KB
Minutes:
The Chief Accountant presented a report to advise the Charity Committee on the current year's financial position (2021/22).
The Chief Accountant noted that Covid-19 continues to have a significant impact. The current situation is that the Foreshore Trust has done well in terms of car parking income recovery, with a strong position in the summer. There is also some additional car parking income not included in the report which will affect the figures in a positive way. However, there are also some additional expenditure items, including maintenance, which need to be included.
There is anticipated to be a deficit at the of the current financial year, however there is potential for the position to improve through recovery of car parking revenue.
The government is operating a sales, fees and charges scheme to cover local authority losses. The Chief Finance Officer has asked the government to clarify if the Foreshore Trust can claim for loss of income via this scheme.
The Chief Accountant confirmed in answer to a question that some rental income had been deferred rather than written off.
Councillor Webb suggested that if it had not already taken place the council could lobby for the Foreshore Trust to be included in government income recovery schemes via the Local Government Association.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
1. To agree the current financial position for 2021/22.
2. To agree the closing financial position for 2020/21 (Appendix 2).
Reasons:
The Council has the responsibility for the proper management of the financial affairs of the Trust. In doing so it complies with Accounting Codes of Practice and the high standards required for the accounting of Public money.
A deficit is anticipated for 2021/22 in respect of operating income and expenses of £267,000. Once grant and project costs are taken into account a deficit of £289,000 is anticipated against the original 2021/22 budget deficit forecast of £110,000.
Appendix 2 is the un-audited closing financial position for 2020/21 and Appendix 3 is the supporting Financial Monitoring report to go along with that report for consideration and agreement.Former Ladies underground toilets east of the pier PDF 157 KB
(Peter Grace, Assistant Director, Financial Services and Revenues)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Chief Accountant introduced a report to consider a proposal to grant a lease for the former ladies underground toilets at Verulam Place.
The site is currently vacant and with a proposal for a 2-year lease to Sunny Side SUP for the storage of kayaks. An independent external surveyor has been instructed to advise on the proposed lease terms.
Councillor Rogers proposed approval of the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Batsford.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
That Charity Committee agrees to the grant of a lease of the premises.
Reasons:
The toilets are vacant and granting a lease would enable them to be brought into beneficial use in addition to encouraging a healthy paddle board sporting activity benefiting the local community which is compatible with the objects of the Trust.
Minutes of Coastal Users Group 12th October 2021 PDF 411 KB
Document to follow
Minutes:
The committee noted the report.
(The Chair declared the meeting closed at 6.30pm)
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