Decision Maker: Cabinet
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Cabinet is asked to approve the Conservators of Ashdown Forest’s core budget for 2024/25.
49.1 The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.
49.2 It was RESOLVED to:
1)
Note the Quarter 2 budget position for the Conservators’
2024/25 Core Budget;
2)
Note the Conservators of Ashdown Forest medium term financial plan;
and
3) Approve the 2025/26 Core Budget.
Reason
49.3 The report sets out the financial position of the Conservators of the Ashdown Forest (COAF) for 2024/25 against the approved budget agreed by the Board of Conservators at their meeting on 20 November 2023 and was presented to Cabinet in January 2024.
49.4 The current 2024/25 Core budget projections indicate that no additional contribution from ESCC will be required.
49.5 The current Countryside Stewardship (CS) budget is forecast to overspend by £25,996 this year. This is less than the budgeted overspend of £131,531 and similar to the previous year. The position reflects the difficulties that have been had securing contractors to undertake works on the forest. The Conservators are developing a three-year forest management plan and new procurement policy to lock in contractors over the coming three years. The deficit will be funded from the CS reserve.
Report author: Ian Gutsell
Publication date: 28/01/2025
Date of decision: 28/01/2025
Decided at meeting: 28/01/2025 - Cabinet
Effective from: 04/02/2025
Accompanying Documents: