‌Budget Report 2024/25‌

17th JANUARY 2024

Ryde Town Council

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Authored by: Tara Bloomfield RFO

PAPER K

Forward

From Finance Committee Chairman – Councillor Phil Jordan.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Responsible Financial Officer and the staff of Ryde Town Council for their diligence and determination to bring forward this legal and balanced budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. It establishes the financial security of the Council, it supports corporate plans, and it balances the Capital and Revenue expenditure with established income. It also incorporates the inflationary pressures from elevated interest rates and nationally agreed salary uplifts. The detailed budget report is included as Appendix A.

This budget seeks to continue to invest in the Ryde community, providing support for our cultural organisations, building on its approach to managing and protecting our heritage, supporting our business community, providing vital and necessary services across the town, and maintaining the positive growth already being achieved by careful and prudent management.

The budget supports the Councils’ Corporate and Place Plan - adopted some years ago - and ensures that investment and services are delivered appropriately meeting the needs and wishes of the community of Ryde.

The continued inflationary aspects of our economy are adding pressure on the local community, businesses, and the Council and these are expected to continue throughout 2024. Windfall grants into Ryde will assist capital investment and a newly created Town Board will ensure that projects and initiatives are adopted and delivered in the coming years. However, we must balance our budget against a backdrop of increased revenue costs and additional services that the upper tier authority is being forced reduce.

The Financial Strategy Group is working towards ensuring future general reserves of the Council meet the approved Independent financial guidance whilst considering the inflationary pressures facing the Council with the increase in the annual CPI inflation currently sitting at 4.2%.

Ryde Town Council is a remarkably successful Town Council and has achieved growth and momentum, built confidence and sustainability through determination, aspiration and strong financial management and seeks to maintain and improve upon the achievements it has made. Investing in our community is seen as a vital part of building and creating a stronger community and a healthy, vibrant, and positive place. This year’s budget seeks to ensure the Town Council can work for the benefit of the residents of Ryde and encourage tourism and activity commensurate with success.

There are four options contained in Appendix A for levels of reserves at the end of the 2024-25 financial year and the Ryde Town Council Clerk and the Responsible Financial Officer’s recommendation is to adopt option 2, which provides for General Reserves of £240,747.91 as at the 31st March 2025 and sets a Band C Council Tax of £159.26 for the year, an increase of 22p per week per household.

A Charter for Ryde

Ryde Town Council is committed to supporting and enhancing the health, well-being and economy of Ryde for the benefit of residents, local businesses and visitors, within a culture that makes best use of our heritage and the beauty of Ryde and conforms to the Biosphere Principles.

In order to achieve this, we will, to the extent that our powers and functions permit, seek to:

1. Maintain and improve the availability and quality of public services for our residents, including:

   • physical infrastructure;

   • sustainable transport;

   • affordable housing;

   • social services.

2. Protect, enhance, support and celebrate our rich environment, including:

   • our natural environment;

   • our green spaces;

   • our architectural heritage;

   • our cultural and artistic strengths.

3. Promote and support the local economy, including the development and diversification of appropriate and sustainable:

   • employment opportunities;

   • retail and industrial development;

   • tourism activity.

4. Protect and promote the interests of all residents, including groups with specific needs such as :

   • children and young people;

   • the elderly;

   • those with disabilities;

   • those on low incomes.

5. Improve the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of governance in the town by:

   • constantly monitoring and reviewing our own policies and procedures;

   • promoting and supporting local community organisations;

   • working in partnership with other organisations, including public sector bodies, the business sector and community groups.

Purpose

To provide background information to the Committee to assist Members in considering the base budget and precept for the 2024-2025 financial year. The Full Council will be required to set a legal budget and precept at its meeting on 5th February, unless the Isle of Wight Council set a different timetable.

The Town Council is well placed to support the local community going forward by promoting the town as a visitor destination and supporting local businesses in growing footfall into the town via a series of events throughout the year.

Whilst formulating these budget options for members consideration, we have kept focus on the needs of the Town Council to deliver the objectives stated in the Corporate Plan whilst also being mindful of the current cost of living crisis. Inflation continues to put pressure on the Council’s budget with services and materials costs becoming increasingly expensive.

Council Background

The current precept on the local taxpayer is £1,384,098 which represents a Band C Council Tax of £147.64 per annum.

In September 2020 the Council adopted a Corporate Plan for the years 2020-2025.The budget options as presented in this report reflect the key objectives agreed in the Corporate Plan.

Budget Setting Process

Options will be provided within this report for members to agree. These options take into account the current levels of service, contracts awarded, the objectives in the Corporate and Place Plans, previously approved decisions and the current economic and inflationary pressures we are facing.

The Council undertook Public Budget Consultation in December 2023. Participants were asked to consider the Council’s optional services and activities, and the consultation asked whether they would be happy to pay an increased precept for services. The results are to be presented to the Finance Committee alongside this report at their meeting on the 23rd January 2024

a. The results of the consultation can be viewed here.

Reserves - Current

The current forecast levels of reserves are detailed below. These figures contain restricted reserves, for example, the funding from the former Ryde Youth Service, monies not spent in the current financial year that are committed to future years projects and provision for election costs, plus the ‘General Reserve’ provision. The current year’s budget provided for General Reserves of £250,353 as at the 31st March 2024 and the Council continues to aspire to setting General Reserves at £300,000 within the next 5 years, which provides an estimated 3 month running cost.

Reserves - Proposed 2024/25 

Earmarked

The amounts listed below are the agreed expenditure that has not been incurred in the current financial year, as well as expenditure that we know will occur in the future that we need to build a provision for.

* Provision for maternity/sick pay

** Due to the aging of our current facilities, there is a requirement to build a maintenance fund for additional repairs.

*** Underspend in 2023/24

General Reserves

Current General Reserves are £205,422 as of 31st March 2023. The Council continues with its aspiration to build the General reserves levels in line with 3 months running costs over the next 5 years, which is approximately £300,000, as advised by the internal auditor.

Managing Risk

The Town Council currently hold PWLB loans to the value of £643,095.67 and the repayment periods will not be completed until 2050. If the Council decide to move forward to take further loans, then it is likely that this will result in an increase in the Precept. Careful consideration will be required to ensure that the local community will accept such an increase and it is recommended that surveys with residents should be taken.

The Council should carefully consider increasing the levels of general reserves for the upcoming financial year. The Council has commitments to several large projects,with the funding for some projects not yet secured.

Having taken account of the level of assets the Council own, it is recommended that the level of reserves held by the Council is a minimum of £220,000 for the year 2024/25.This recommendation is lower than prior years due to planned expenditure of £50,000 from the General Reserves for the preservation of Vectis Hall.

Budget Commitments

Grants

The Town Council budget as presented, includes provision of total grant funding of

£45,000 which is split between Partnership Funding and Service/Event Funding. These are to support key organisations and events that enhance the town both for its residents and local businesses.

Details are as follows:

• New Carnival Company - £5,000

• Johns Club - £2,500

• Beach Weekender - £10,000

• Armed Forces Day - £2,000

• Historic Ryde - £1,000

• Tidal Family Support - £2,000

• Oakfield Pantry - £500

• Wight Wave Beach Soccer - £4,000

• Ryde Carnival Association - £4,000

• IW Pride - £6,000

• The Footprint Trust, Warmer Homes Initiative - £7,000

• Men Only - £1,000

The Grants Sub-Committee have reviewed all applications and have recommended the above list of grantees to be considered by the Finance Committee.

Community Development

2023/24 has seen the first full year of having a dedicated Community Development Officer working solely for The Town Council. It has become a pivotal and crucial role for the community, increasing the support available to residents through various channels.

Funding

The Community Development Officer has been successful with being granted funded more than £45,000 for services and projects within the town between February- December 2023. Details of theses can be found below.

Supermarket Vouchers & Food Pantry

Ryde Town Council have been awarded two grants totalling £28,275 to provide supermarket food vouchers to residents who find themselves in financial hardship. The voucher values range from £25-£100 depending on the number of individuals within the household. As of 31/12/2023 the vouchers have supported 317 households, which equates to 833 individuals living within Ryde. The current grant runs until the end of March 2024.

Cookery Lessons

In February 2023, two six-week cooking courses, run by Michele from Four Seasons Academy, were provided to individuals. The courses were funded by a grant from Multiply for the value of

£1,500. The sessions were a great success, not only building culinary skills for the participants, but also providing an important social aspect. The Community Development Officer is currently working on plans to offer more session in 2024/25, and this will include all Ryde Primary Schools, with funding from two different avenues being sought.

Uniform Swap Shop

Working in partnership with Aspire, three uniform swap shops were held within the town. This allowed parents to bring in any unused uniform to either swap for an alternative, or for donation. All the days have been a big success and have provided savings to the community.

Meet the Funders

In July, 8 national and local funders, including the National Lottery Community and Heritage Funds, attended an open day to present information on how community groups and charities can access funding.

Over 70 representatives from community groups attended the day and had the opportunity to speak in 1-2-1 appointments with the funders.

Feedback from the event included:

‘We had excellent and honest steers from funders on what projects excited them and what they wouldn’t fund which was enormously useful in focussing our time ……. different to where we would have been heading had we not spoken to them.’

Ryde Community Guide

A free guide was distributed by volunteers to the community in September 2023. Within the guide it included listings of community groups, useful services in the town and paid for advertising space from local businesses. The cost of this was mostly offset by the paid for advertising space, with the final cost being just 4p per copy.

Other Projects:

• Riboleau Community Garden – working alongside Aspire and Ryde School Students to open a community garden for all.

• Women’s Art Trail - £15,000 of funding received to create community murals working with women in the community.

• Johns Club – The Council supported a Christmas event held at Oakfield Football Club and are working together to provide a community lunch from mid January.

  
  

  Planning Matters

  The Place Neighbourhood and Planning Committee has oversight of the following budgets, which are included in Appendix A for the 2024-25 financial year:

  
  

  Public Realm	£18,000
  Planning	£20,000
  Greening Ryde	£5,000

  
  

  The Committee has recommended to Full Council that Ryde Town Council pay approximately

  £15,700 to the Isle of Wight Council for a dedicated Enforcement Officer two days a week for Ryde.

  
  

  Ryde Marina

  
  

  Ryde Marina has been transformed over 2023 with several key elements started and completed by both in-house staff and external contractors which has improved the overall look, functionality and feel of the Marina.

  Projects included the completion of the installation of new decking, configuration of the pontoons and replacing all wooden walkways with Fibregrid boards.

  The Town Council have also invested in works to refurbish the very tired hospitality suites which is a key offering for both visitors and annual berth holders.

  It was a relatively quiet summer (due to elements outside of our control) however, the visitor feedback was very positive, they also commented that the works have made the Marina a more attractive place to visit.

  
  

  Annual Berth Occupation	2023/24 (actual)	2024/25 (estimate)
  Berths Available	116	116
  Berths Occupied	83	93
  % Occupied	71%	80%

  During 2023/24 the Marina continues to face a build-up of sand in entrance, which is now having an impact on revenue. The Council have had the sand cleared during the year, with another clearance planned for February 2024. Investigation in to a more permanent solution to prevent the build-up the sand is in process which should relive the financial pressures on the Council.

  Another key challenge that the Marina business has faced in 2023/24 is the delay in having the electricity supply connected to the pontoons. This has been due to external bodies holding up the process of key licences. The Marina staff have completed all the installation of the electricity meters, so that as soon as the relevant licences are in place, the connection can go live. This in turn will allow a public Wi-Fi service to be offered and will attract increased numbers of berth holders and visitors.

  
  

  

  
  

  St Thomas’ Church Project

  In March 2023, Ryde Town Council was awarded a transformational Youth Investment Fund grant to renovate St Thomas’ Church for its youth service, Network Ryde.

  The £624,706 funding has allowed a large-scale project in transforming the previous church building into an exciting, fully accessible, larger home for the youth service which will now be able to support an additional 200 young people per month once complete.

  Building works are due to complete at the end of May, with Network Ryde moving to the premises from July.

  
  

  

  Network Ryde

  
  

  Network Ryde have been incredibly busy during 2023/2024 with some key highlights being as follows.

  
  

  From April 23 – January 24, they have offered:

  
  

• Total number of sessions offered at Network Ryde – 267

• Total number of sessions offered at Network Ryde’s allotment – 25

• Number of young people accessing Network Ryde – 555

Most of the sessions are held at the centre, but Network Ryde have also taken part in a number of additional projects such as, Crossing the Bar, Pride Parade, Podcasting, Independent Arts Young Minds Project, HAF Summer project and Easter and Summer holiday activities. Young people also held an open day in June about the new building, St Thomas’ Church.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

2023/24 saw 25 young people complete their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is a fantastic achievement. To accomplish this, it has meant that the young people, supported by the Network Ryde Team, had to complete 5 expeditions between April and October, of which some ran in inclement weather conditions. This year 9 young people completed Bronze, 15 completed Silver and there was the first Gold Award completion.

Funding

Network Ryde have been successful with funding applications and have been awarded funding for just over £17k for additional sessions and activities such as Short Breaks and VRU funded sessions.

Safeguarding

There have been 68 recorded safeguarding incidents in the 12-month period January 2023- December 2023, and these have been shared with the relevant agencies. The issues covered range from self-harm, sexual assault, sexting, neglect, substance misuse and bullying.

Contributions towards Isle of Wight Council Delivered Services

In addition to the Council’s own services, it is also committed to paying a contribution to services provided by the Isle of Wight Council that take place in Ryde:

• Dedicated Ryde Environment Officer’s (4 days a week) £19,000

• Playground Equipment £10,000

• Park Services & Grounds Maintenance £43,349

• Ryde Help Centre £18,374

  
  

  These budget lines have been carried forward into Appendix A.

  
  

  Ryde Help Centre

  
  

  Ryde Town Council continue to financially support the Ryde Help Centre that is based in the Ryde Library which has proven to be a key resource for residents.

  
  

  Ryde Help Centre has been based in Ryde Library for over 10 years. It is staffed by a customer advisor from the Council’s contact centre who holds a council tax and housing benefit specialism. The Centre is open 3 days per week, Monday, Tuesday and Friday (9am – 5pm) and offers a bespoke advice service replicating the IsleHelp service delivered from Newport Help Centre in partnership with Citizens Advice IW.

  Over the past year the number of people accessing the service has increase by 46%, with many residents facing an increase in energy and household bills, there has been a greater need for the service. Comparative user numbers can be seen below:

  
  

  Month	2022	2023
  January	32	108
  February	70	126
  March	81	161
  April	72	98
  May	61	114
  June	75	116
  July	149	122
  August	153	132
  September	92	132
  October	95	163
  November	104	141
  December	65	122
  Total	1,049	1,535

  Services

  The Town Council is already contractually committed to delivering the following services until 2025 and the budget lines for these have been carried forward into Appendix A.

  
  

• Beach Cleaning £37,000.

• Summer and Winter Planting/Watering £16,000

• Beach Safety and First Aid £23,500

We are continually evaluating the way in which we provide the planting and watering contract within the town, and we look to provide more sustainable planting and will be working with local volunteer groups to ensure we have community input. In 2023/24 we took the watering of the town plants in house which has seen the council save approximately £17,000 this year.

The Beach Safety and First Aid contract was awarded in December 2022 as a two-year contract to the team at Waterside Community Trust. This contract now covers additional patrols at the Marina beach to support the beachfront activities Ryde Town Council offer.

Our facilities operatives continue to provide a high level of cleaning within the public conveniences and visitor feedback has been extremely positive. Unfortunately, we are still faced with vandalism in both the seafront toilets which adds pressure to both the workforce and the Councils budget. During 2023/24, the facilities at St John’s Road has been subject to structural insecurities that have led the council to make the decision to close both the male and female blocks and turn the accessible toilet into a unisex provision for all.

Ryde Town Council are in ongoing talks with Network Rail regarding the public convenience offering at Ryde Interchange and hope that this will be resolved before the summer.

In addition to the above, the Town Council is committed to the following budgets in respect of Council owned/managed assets and property and the budget lines for these have been included in the budget options outlined.

• Festive Lighting, Christmas trees, sockets and unmetered supply £30,000

• Skatepark £5,000

• Allotments £7,800 (Net of income)

• Network Ryde £240,540

• Eastern Gardens £3,000

• St Thomas’ Rest Gardens £3,000

• Additional Summer Bin Collections £5,000

• Flagpole £200

  
  

  During 2023/24 the Council has carried out key long term maintenance work at its allotment sites which includes a new pathway, tree works and underground pipework. Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in fly tipping at the sites which has cost the council over £2,500.

  Using matched grant funding of £5,000 from Ryde Town Council a group of volunteers have installed temporary concrete elements to Ryde skatepark. This allowed the popular facility to open safely again after the wooden infrastructures became worn and dangerous. Project work on a long-term solution to expand the skatepark and improve its offerings is in progress and we hope to see some significant developments on this in 2024/25.

  
  

  Events

  
  

  Events are seen as a key driver for the economic stability of Ryde as they can bring huge numbers of visitors to the town. This has the dual benefit of providing free entertainment for local residents and an important influx of customers to local businesses. Ryde is creating a name for itself as a town that can successfully host events of all shapes and sizes, and it is exciting that event organisers are now seeing Ryde at the top of their preferred locations.

  The Business Development Manager aims to continue to build on last year’s successful events calendar held in Ryde and in 2024/25 we have a large new event on the Harbour Beach, The Beach Weekender. The cost of supporting events and marketing throughout the town is £24,600; however, it is a key investment in the town’s future.

  
  

  Planned Events:

  
  

  • Summer Events (street entertainment, buskers etc)

  • Merry & Bright

  • IW Pride

  • Armed Forces Day

  • Jack Up the Summer

  • Party on The Green

  • Deadpool & Friends Family Fun Day

Income and Growth

The Corporate Plan adopted in September 2020 confirmed the intention to move into commercial operations with the view of income generation.

This plan is still in place and the council continue to explore new revenue streams. To support this growth, £20,000 has been included in the 2024-25 budget for further business opportunities. This, alongside applying for grant funding income, will allow the Council to invest in new commercial services to create additional income in the future.

Officer Recommendation

Taking the above into account the RFO and Clerk recommend the adoption of option 2 and an Annual Band C Council Tax of £159.26 (based on the current years taxbase) which is an increase of 22p per week for the precept payer.