42.1 The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.
42.2 It was RESOLVED to:
1) Note the Quarter 2 budget position for the Conservators’ 2023/24 Core Budget;
2) Note the Conservators of Ashdown Forest medium term financial plan; and
3) Approve the 2024/25 Core Budget.
Reason
42.3 The report sets out the financial position of the Conservators of the Ashdown Forest (COAF) for 2023/24, against the approved budget agreed by the Board of Conservators at their meeting on21 November 2022 and presented to Cabinet in December 2022.
42.4 The current 2023/24 Core budget projections indicate that no additional contribution from East Sussex County Council will be required.
42.5 The current Countryside Stewardship (CS) budget is forecast to overspend by £55,610 this year. This is less than the budgeted overspend of £139,603 and reflects the difficulties that have been had securing contractors to undertake works on the forest. The deficit will be funded from the CS reserve.