Agenda item

Councillor Learney introduced the report as Chairperson of the Town Account Informal Group who reviewed the current financial projections for the period 2025/26 to 2029/30, noting the need to recommend a budget and town charge to Cabinet. Changes to the budget this year included savings from the night bus service, which was now entirely commercial and responsibility for bus shelters had been transferred to Hampshire County Council.

It was proposed that cuts to community grants that had been previously planned would be reversed, keeping them at the current level for 2026/27 onwards and the continued support proposed to those in need, local cultural activities and small community organisations operating within the town was emphasised. In addition, reference was made to the towns share of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding, the proposed use of remaining s106 sport contributions, capital expenditure and reserves.

The forum noted that financial projections reflected a core precept increase of 5% for 2026/27 which, if proposed, would be recommended to Cabinet in February. The town precept charge for council tax continued to remain lower than that of market towns across the district.  

In addition, the Finance Manager (Strategic Finance) reported an omission to the recommendations set out in the report, that it was proposed that delegated authority be granted to the Corporate Head of Economy and Community to accept circa £11,000 of grant funding towards the installation of an artificial cricket wicket at the River Park Pavilion. Furthermore, it was noted that resurfacing works of circa £5,000 would be required in 8-10 years and funding would need to be sourced should the wicket continue to be used.

The forum proceeded to ask questions and comment on the following matters which were responded to by Councillor Learney and the Finance Manager (Strategic Finance).

(a)       A question was raised regarding areas of the town that were under         served by buses, notably Teg Down, but it was recognised that the          sums needed to close these gaps would require further investigation.
  

(b)       The exploratory work for the implementation of speed indicator devices was welcomed. A request was raised that given resident    demand, and the need to anticipate the budget for installation, that      the      work be timetabled for the initial stages of the new municipal year. In      response, the Strategic Director emphasised that no commitment to   timescales could be provided at this stage as resources would      need to be scheduled and looked at within officers existing work and        service plans. However, the Strategic Director agreed to progress this      matter to ensure it was added into the business plan, with the request of the forum that the work take place during 2026/27 noted.

(c)       Members welcomed the investment in the provision of sport facilities     in the area. In addition, the forum fully supported the retention of the grants budget and urged any community organisations in the town area to come forward and apply for the grants that are available.  

          RESOLVED:

1.             That the draft budget for 2026/27 and the indicative projections for the strategy period as shown in Appendix 1, be agreed;

2.             That an increase to the council tax precept for the town area of 5% for 2026/27 be recommended to cabinet, noting the requirements for the council to keep within overall referendum requirements;

3.             That the Corporate Head of Economy and Community be granted delegated authority to approve the grant criteria and allocations, in consultation with the Winchester Town Forum (Grants and Community Empowerment) Informal Group and the Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities;

4.             That the £60,000 grant budget for 2026/27 be allocated:  £20,000 to Citizens Advice, £20,000 to Play to the Crowd and £20,000 to the Winchester City Community grant scheme, be approved;

5.             That a £57,000 capital budget and authority to spend, funded from S106 sport contributions, to be allocated: £7,000 for electronic scoreboards for cricket at KGV, and up to £50,000 for cricket nets at North Walls, be approved;

6.             That a one-off revenue budget of £15,000 for a speed indicators feasibility study, be approved; and

7.             That the Corporate Head of Economy and Community be granted delegated authority to accept circa £11,000 of grant funding towards the installation of an artificial cricket wicket at the River Park Pavilion. Resurfacing works of circa £5,000 would be required in 8-10 years and funding would need to be sourced should the wicket continue to be used.