Issue - meetings

Recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 23 January 2025.

All budgetary matters will be considered in the substantive item on Setting the Budget 2025/26

All budgetary matters were considered in detail in the substantive item on Setting the Budget 2025/26 (Minute Number CB 25/12).  However, the recommendations from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of 23 January 2025 in relation to the formulation of initial draft proposals in respect of the Budget, including the Capital Plan (Minute Number OS 25/6) was given due consideration as part of the substantive discussion.

This report gives details of the proposed Capital Plan for the remainder of 2024/25 and 2025/26.

(NB. Due to the size Annexes 1 to 4 to the Capital Plan 2024-2026 are attached as a supplement.)

The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation and Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing detailed proposals for the Capital Plan for the remainder of 2024/25 and 2025/26 and sought endorsement of recommendations to the Cabinet.

Members were reminded that the capital plan process provided a means of maintaining a pool (List C) from which schemes could be selected for evaluation and possible implementation.  It also provided an opportunity to review the provisions for schemes which were already in the Capital Plan (List A).

It was explained that capital expenditure was currently funded from the revenue reserve for capital schemes, grants from government and other bodies, developer contributions and from capital receipts derived from the sale of assets.  In some circumstances other earmarked reserves were used to fund in full or in part appropriate capital plan schemes.  However, it was also noted that based on current approvals that from 2029/30 the Borough Council might need to borrow to fund such expenditure.

Proposals for List C which included the addition of ‘fast track’ schemes in respect of the acquisition of temporary accommodation, Haysden Country Park site improvements, Tonbridge Racecourse Sportsground improvements, Swanmead Sportsground flood alleviation works, Tonbridge Cemetery vaults,  the installation of digital CCTV systems at the leisure facilities and boiler replaced at Poult Wood Golf Course were outlined in 9.4 of the report. Funding arrangements and evaluated details for these schemes were set out in Annex 4 and 10.1 to 10.6 of the report.

Attention was drawn to the scheme for the renewal of the roof at Tonbridge Castle Offices (detailed on List A) and the estimate had been revised to reflect current building costs which had significantly increased following the covid pandemic.  The latest estimate for works was now £226,000 (up from £70,000) and the estimates had been revised to reflect this increase.

Careful consideration was given to the existing Capital Plan (List A) and List C (as detailed in Annexes 1 – 3) and officers responded to questions raised by Members related to the River Medway Riverside Improvement Scheme, Leybourne Lakes Country Park resurfacing and Tonbridge Wayfinding.    In response the Committee was assured that the Riverside Improvement Scheme was recognised as a priority and local Members would be kept updated on progress.  It was also noted that the introduction of a new Annual Service Delivery Plan would enable progress on the Scheme to be monitored and challenged.  Other queries raised would be addressed out of meeting and if appropriate necessary adjustments to the schemes would be made.

Members recognised the significant financial implications in respect of a number of schemes and were reassured that the costs, risks, works and valuations associated with the projects would be carefully monitored.  It was also commented that projects set out should be implemented as soon as possible in advance of local government organisation so that these could be started/completed if the Borough Council no longer existed.

Finally, the Committee recorded appreciation to Officers in Financial Services for their contribution in preparing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6