CUG Meeting Minutes

Noted · Received for information; no decision followed.

The Coastal Users Group heard an update on the review of how income and expenditure are shared between the Council and the Foreshore Trust, which for the 2024/25 financial year identified a potential reallocation of approximately £379,000 in favour of the Trust. p8p11

Members were advised that the Government's proposed East Sussex unitary authority arrangements had been paused pending further review, and that if implemented, the new authority would assume the Council's role as trustee of the Foreshore Trust. p30

On the Foreshore Trust's finances, members heard that income was currently around £28,000 above budget, a year-end surplus was forecast, and usable reserves were expected to remain around £1.9 million. p31p32p33

On the Small Events Grant Programme, members heard that 52 applications had been received, demand significantly exceeded the available budget, and 12 organisations had been recommended for support by the Grants Advisory Panel. p37

Show the 7 passages this is based on

• p83. CUG General Update The Chair invited Chris Richards to provide an update on matters affecting the Foreshore Trust and the work of the Coastal Users Group. Chris provided an update on the ongoing review of the allocation of income and expenditure between the Council and the Foreshore Trust, reiterating the importance of this work to the Trust’s future financial planning. He noted that the allocations had not been fully reviewed since 2011 and that, in some cases, the basis for the existing percentages was no longer clear. He commended the considerable work undertaken by the Trust’s Financial Officer in reviewing the allocations, consulting with relevant Council departments and developing updated figures that better reflected current arrangements.
• p11Chris summarised progress on the review of Foreshore Trust income and expenditure allocations and reminded members that the review had identified a potential reallocation of approximately £379,000 in favour of the Trust for 2024/25. He stressed the significance of the figure and noted that it represented Trust funds rather than Council funds. He expressed disappointment that the review had not yet concluded and that final proposals would not be available until later in the Council's budget-setting process.
• p305. Local Government Reorganisation An update was provided by Aaron on Local Government Reorganisation. Members were advised that the Government's proposed East Sussex unitary authority arrangements had been paused pending further review and that future timescales remain uncertain. If implemented, the new authority would assume the trustee role currently fulfilled by Hastings Borough Council in relation to the Foreshore Trust. The update was noted.
• p316. Foreshore Trust Financial Update Louise Hutton provided an update on the current financial position of the Foreshore Trust.
• p32Income is currently around £28,000 above budget, while expenditure remains broadly in line with expectations. A year-end surplus is forecast and usable reserves
• p33are expected to remain around £1.9 million, comfortably above the minimum reserve level.
• p378. Foreshore Trust Small Events Grant Programme Abbie Williams provided an update on the Small Events Grant Programme. Members were advised that 52 applications had been received and that demand significantly exceeded the available budget. Following assessment by the Grants Advisory Panel, 12 organisations had been recommended for support. It was noted that the quality of applications had improved considerably compared with previous rounds, reflecting support workshops and revised application processes. Successful applicants to be announced following Charity Committee approval next week.