The Portfolio Holder presented the report which set out the progress made in preparing the 2025/26 budget and updated Members on key financial information. The current position showed an annual budget gap of £437,000 if the SCIAs included in the report were agreed. Members, through the Advisory Committees and outside of meetings had been able to propose savings or income ideas for further consideration by the Cabinet. These suggestions were set out in Appendices E and F of the report.

The Chief Officer Finance and Trading further advised that the annual budget gap was due to a number of factors including the £100,000 annual savings built into the budget each year, the new leisure contract, low number of new homes built each year and the SCIAs presented to the Advisory Committees. There were a number of unknowns that would still impact the budget including the Local Government Finance Settlement which was expected shortly, the impact of the employer’s National Insurance increase, the April 2025 pay award and the Council Tax base increase. Finally the impact of the budget decisions made by KCC.

Members discussed the SCIAs that were presented to the Advisory Committee and were in agreement. It was moved and seconded that the proposed SCIAs as set out in Appendix C should be included in the budget.

Resolved: That the growth and savings/additional income proposal (SCIA) listed in Appendix C and detailed in Appendix D, be included in the budget.

Members moved onto discussing recommendation (b) regarding the saving suggestions which were supported by the Advisory Committee as set out in Appendix E of the report and supplementary agenda. Discussion focused on InShape, giving consideration to the different suggestions around this by the Improvement and Innovation Advisory Committee including reducing the number of issues to three a year. It was noted that InShape was an important communication tool and more advertising through InShape could be investigated. Other suggestions were discussed, and the Portfolio Holder’s feedback regarding the positive engagement from all Members who made suggestions. In discussion it was noted that further information was needed before a decision could be taken. In regards to other suggestions, Members were advised on the reasoning behind not taking some ideas forward, such as knock on effects on other services. Members were advised that concern had been raised at Cleaner & Greener Advisory Committee for losing the CCTV service. The Portfolio Holder advised that further discussions were taking place regarding modernising technology which could create a future saving.  Members were also advised that a bio-digester was not within the Council’s remit and so could not be taken forward.

Further discussion took place on value for money, and building sustainability, it was noted that these would require further information and investigation by the Portfolio Holder and Chief Officer.

Resolved: That the following suggestions in Appendix E:

(i)               Be considered within this budget cycle and ask for SCIAs to be presented to Cabinet in January:

·       Reduce the number of In Shape issues from 4 to 3, how much would that save. Breakdown of comms budget, what would 1 or 2 issues will be able to save.

·       Give people option to receive communication either electronically or via paper.

·       Produce 3 larger issues of In Shape (more content).

·       Work with parishes to get In Shape information into their publications

·       Increase In Shape advertising income

·       Review the print room service

·       look at sustainability of the building i.e. reduce heating and lighting use / costs

(ii)              Ask that the relevant Portfolio Holder has further discussions with the Chief Officer:

·       SDC should undertake systematic value for money studies of its activities. This would apply to all portfolio holders and all services. It should start as soon as possible and should be a continuing activity

·       Solar Panels on Council Property

·       increase the number of SDC buildings that have solar panels and taking out borrowing to fund their installation thereby reducing utility costs on an ongoing basis in a self-funding manner

(iii)            Do not take any further

·       Build Bio-digester at Dunbrik

·        

Moving onto appendix F, Members discussed the suggestions which had been put forward but not necessarily supported or that had been received after the relevant committee process. Members considered whether there were any suggestions detailed which should be taken forward. Consideration was given to advertising at Bevan Place, possible further increases to planning fees due to the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which had been published, the bus station toilets in Sevenoaks regarding charging for use or leasing to the Town Council, could also be considered. Discussion also took place on Solar Panels, which had been detailed in Appendix E but further suggestions around it were suggested and it was noted that the climate action plan could consider in due course.

Resolved: That the following suggestions in Appendix F:

(i)               Be considered within this budget cycle and ask for SCIAs to be presented to Cabinet in January:

·       none

(ii)              Ask that the relevant Portfolio Holder has further discussions with the Chief Officer:

·       Close or lease Bus Station toilet to Sevenoaks Town (5 year) so it doesn’t clash with LEH. Possibly change it to a pay for use toilet.

·       To increase the number of solar panels across the district.  Install rain water collection and also use solar panels in car parks for generation of electricity and also shade for cars.

·       Bevan Place and Council advertising.

(iii)            Do not take any further

·       All other suggestions listed in Appendix F.

·        

Members moved onto discussion of recommendation (c), and it was suggested that consideration could be given to Tourism and the monetary contribution to website development, and the Leader advised that he had requested the Chief Executive to look for £200,000 for further savings within the management structure and to minimise the impact on front line service delivery.

Resolved: That Officers investigate the following areas and report back to Cabinet in January:

·       £200,000 of savings from the management structure.

·       Tourism.

·       CCTV upgrade.

·       Review of budget assumptions.

·       .

Members discussed the importance of savings being considered throughout the year, so that short, medium and long term implications could be considered. The Portfolio Holder for Finance & Trading expressed his thanks to Officers and Members for their work on the budget so far.