Town council's finances "significantly behind where they should be," meeting hears

A warning that the finances of Henley Town Council are “significantly behind where they should be” has been issued to councillors.

Councillor Rory Hunt made the comments at a finance strategy and management committee, which discussed an update to the council’s balance sheet.

Figures attached to the agenda of the meeting described the “budget issue” as a “significantly” depleted monetary surplus, with committees asked to “monitor their expenditure carefully”.

Cllr Hunt to the meeting: “I think we need to just go back to all committees and say, we understand that there has been challenges and unfortunate things happening this year that have led to the budget being where it is.

“But we are significantly behind where we’d hoped to be and ask committees to consider very carefully their spending for the remainder of the year.”

A report prepared for councillors said a £30,000 estimated budget surplus had been eroded by nearly £13,000, in part due to reduced income from revenue streams.

Against a budget of £100,000, the report said forecasts had been revised to account for a reduced income from adventure golf, cemetery and mooring fees, and hire costs for Jubilee Park, off Reading Road.

There had also been an increase in expenditure on parks, open spaces and tree works with costs to the town and community committee reaching £24,000, which the report said had been due to an “increased Christmas cost and decrease of market income”. Market income includes money generated from weekly markets held in Market Place.

Deputy mayor Ian Reissmann said that despite the financial outlook, the council was still spending its money “effectively”.

“I completely agree with your [Cllr Hunt’s] responsible attitude to keeping within our budget,” he said.

“But, at the same time, the money we spend means that we get things done, which is what residents want There is always that tension and I think we spend the money effectively, which is the most important thing.”

Minutes from the meeting said: “It was noted that the forecast overall surplus was significantly down on budget and committees were to be asked to note the budget issue and monitor their expenditure carefully.”

Several grants were also approved at the meeting, worth a total of £8,718.56.

The Chiltern Centre, for disabled young adults, off Greys Road, was awarded £2,400 to help fund one-to-one music therapy sessions for young adults with learning disabilities.

A total of £2,000 was granted to The Abingdon Bridge charity, which offers counselling support to vulnerable young people living in South Oxfordshire.

The Oxfordshire Play Association was also given £2,000, while Henley Brass was given £1,656.56.

The meeting heard how Henley Brass was an “elite, brass ensemble made of ex-military bandsmen” and the money would help grow the group further.

Henley Radio was granted £500 to help market the station, ahead of its upcoming launch, while Henley Youth Festival received £162.

Chiltern Arts and Henley Brass were placed on the council’s free use lists. Booking fees for hiring council-run venues are waived for groups added to the free use scheme.