Sutton Parish Council Budget Estimate for 2012/13

Backdrop to 2012/13 Budget No significant reserves at start 2011/12 financial year Losses against budget from CDT service continued in 2011/12 Now halted as all staff made redundant Carefully managing expenditure for remainder of the financial year Caretaker and Assistant Clerk positions left vacant Some maintenance & other expenditure deferred Almost no asset replacement Unplanned costs of £5,000 for Accounts objections Estimate of External Auditor & Audit Commission costs

Principles for setting the Budget Not to countenance any significant new or additional expenditure To make the first priority any repayment of any temporary loans to cover the deficit arising from the current financial year To make the second priority the rebuilding of the General Fund Reserves, though to achieve this goal over a three year period Not to budget for any significant increases in income unless they are supported by robust plans to deliver the proposed increase, but to endeavour to investigate all possible opportunities for increasing income. Not to budget for any significant decreases in expenditure unless they are supported by robust plans to achieve the proposed decrease, but to endeavour to investigate all possible opportunities to decrease expenditure. Within the constraints of the above objectives to seek to avoid any increase in the precept.

Summary of 2012/13 Estimate (1) Highways and Conservation Decrease in budgeted green cutting expenditure (to actual level expected to be spent in 2011/12) Due to corresponding decrease in income from Cambs. County Council (2012/13 figure still to be confirmed) Decrease in Recycling Credits due to decrease in income from East Cambs DC after scheme was changed £1,000 for minor highways improvements to enable bid of up to £10,000 funding from Cambs. County Council £800 for minor environment improvements such as litter bins and other street furniture

Summary of 2012/13 Estimate (2) Burial Ground and Allotment Reduced expenditure based on 2011/12 forecast Increased income based on 2011/12 forecast Staffing Staffing review has not yet concluded Clerk/RFO & re-designed part-time assistant Clerk Three part-time caretaking staff Overall decreased budgeted expenditure (even after CDT staffing costs removed) Admin Decrease in various office admin costs Increase in provision for costs of holding a election

Summary of 2012/13 Estimate (3) Community Services Expenditure Some reduction in maintenance expenditure Exception is the Glebe, with £1,000 addition Budgeting for an increase in business rates Not budgeting for Fire Risk Assessment (need to meet regulations without expenditure) Community Services Income Budgeting for income based on 2011/12 forecast 2011/12 income was 20% below budget Key priority for Council must be to raise income from its facilities

Summary of 2012/13 Estimate (4) Finance Small increase in youth club expenditure Small decrease in Glebe loan repayment Newsletter & PR Significant decrease in expenditure compared to 2011/12 (small increase compared to forecast actual expenditure) Planning No income or expenditure Contingencies General contingency retained at £5,000 Asset replacement £2,000 (£4,000 previously)

Summary of 2012/13 Budget (5)

Recommendation for Precept (1) Unlikely to need temporary loan repayment Latest monthly report forecasts year end surplus Need to start to rebuild general reserves Already resolved to do this over three years Need to consider possible longer term costs Burial Ground likely to be full in 8 to 10 years time Need to consider general economic climate and reaction to last year’s precept increase

Recommendation for Precept (2) Financial Years 2009/10 & 2010/11 Decision £130,000 precept equivalent to £94.05 per year for band D property Financial Year 2011/12 Decision £166,500 precept equivalent to £120.15 per year for band D property Financial Year 2012/13 Proposal £131,000 precept equivalent to £93.38 per year for band D property (reduction of £27.48)

Three Year Forecast Contributes £12,887 to General Reserves in addition to forecast surplus at year end to give total of nearly £20,000