Agenda item

The report was introduced by the Head of Finance.

The Authority was asked to approve the 2020/21 Budget.  It was noted that details of the Defra Grant had not yet been confirmed and that the planning assumption made in the report was that the national park grant would be inflation protected, at 2% for 2020/21, which is the equivalent of  a roll over of the situation for the previous 4 years.  The report identifies a range of savings options, of up to £218k, should the national park grant be frozen to the same level at 2019/20.  Appendix 1 of the report had taken this into account and noted a possible shortfall in the budget.

The Head of Finance highlighted the increased difficulty that a flat rate budget will present, especially if it continued past the next financial year and advised that large budget cuts would be required.

The meeting was informed that the Permanent Secretary had confirmed that European Grants would be underwritten following the UK’s departure from the EU if there were any issues with European Funding.

Members raised questions on :

·         Planning advertising fees – currently it is a legal requirement for planning authorities to advertise in newspapers, there have been requests to government to change the rules to allow for online advertising only which would reduce costs.  However, for now this is not possible and so some work to use lower cost publications have produced savings.

·         VAT Recovery – Work was continuing to look at those activities not exempt including tax on rent of Authority owned property

·         Fundraising – work continued to look at best ways to use the limited resources and Officers were working to ensure outcomes and targets would be met.

·         ParkLife - Members asked if there were opportunities to reduce the cost of producing the Parklife magazine by changing the type of paper it was printed on.  Officers confirmed that work was ongoing to reduce costs including changes to the distribution of the magazine.

The Head of Finance confirmed that the savings identified would remain in the current budget if the cuts were not needed and that the decision on the proposed savings would be delegated to the Chief Executive as per the recommendations of the report.

The recommendation as set out in the report was moved, seconded, voted on and carried.

Officers confirmed that any information received regarding the future grant would be shared as soon as possible.

RESOLVED:

1.    The base budget for the 2020/21 financial year shown in Appendix 1 and 2 of the report was approved.

2.    That the savings proposed in Appendix 5 of the report was approved and delegated to the Chief Executive to balance the budget should the National Park Grant be different from the assumptions contained within Appendix 1 of the report, with an updated report to be prepared for the Authority immediately following any settlement announcement.

3.    That the medium term financial position of the Authority in the period up to March 2024 be noted as explained in paragraph 8 of the report.