1. Sutton Parish Council
Budget Estimate for 2012/13

2. Backdrop to 2012/13 Budget
No significant reserves at start 2011/12 financial year
Losses against budget from CDT service continued in 2011/12
Now halted as all staff made redundant
Carefully managing expenditure for remainder of the financial year
Caretaker and Assistant Clerk positions left vacant
Some maintenance & other expenditure deferred
Almost no asset replacement
Unplanned costs of £5,000 for Accounts objections
Estimate of External Auditor & Audit Commission costs

3. Principles for setting the Budget
Not to countenance any significant new or additional expenditure
To make the first priority any repayment of any temporary loans to cover the deficit arising from the current financial year
To make the second priority the rebuilding of the General Fund Reserves, though to achieve this goal over a three year period
Not to budget for any significant increases in income unless they are supported by robust plans to deliver the proposed increase, but to endeavour to investigate all possible opportunities for increasing income.
Not to budget for any significant decreases in expenditure unless they are supported by robust plans to achieve the proposed decrease, but to endeavour to investigate all possible opportunities to decrease expenditure.
Within the constraints of the above objectives to seek to avoid any increase in the precept.

4. Summary of 2012/13 Estimate (1)
Highways and Conservation
Decrease in budgeted green cutting expenditure (to actual level expected to be spent in 2011/12)
Due to corresponding decrease in income from Cambs. County Council (2012/13 figure still to be confirmed)
Decrease in Recycling Credits due to decrease in income from East Cambs DC after scheme was changed
£1,000 for minor highways improvements to enable bid of up to £10,000 funding from Cambs. County Council
£800 for minor environment improvements such as litter bins and other street furniture

5. Summary of 2012/13 Estimate (2)
Burial Ground and Allotment
Reduced expenditure based on 2011/12 forecast
Increased income based on 2011/12 forecast
Staffing
Staffing review has not yet concluded
Clerk/RFO & re-designed part-time assistant Clerk
Three part-time caretaking staff
Overall decreased budgeted expenditure (even after CDT staffing costs removed)
Admin
Decrease in various office admin costs
Increase in provision for costs of holding a election

6. Summary of 2012/13 Estimate (3)
Community Services Expenditure
Some reduction in maintenance expenditure
Exception is the Glebe, with £1,000 addition
Budgeting for an increase in business rates
Not budgeting for Fire Risk Assessment (need to meet regulations without expenditure)
Community Services Income
Budgeting for income based on 2011/12 forecast
2011/12 income was 20% below budget
Key priority for Council must be to raise income from its facilities

7. Summary of 2012/13 Estimate (4)
Finance
Small increase in youth club expenditure
Small decrease in Glebe loan repayment
Newsletter & PR
Significant decrease in expenditure compared to 2011/12 (small increase compared to forecast actual expenditure)
Planning
No income or expenditure
Contingencies
General contingency retained at £5,000
Asset replacement £2,000 (£4,000 previously)

8. Summary of 2012/13 Budget (5)

9. Recommendation for Precept (1)
Unlikely to need temporary loan repayment
Latest monthly report forecasts year end surplus
Need to start to rebuild general reserves
Already resolved to do this over three years
Need to consider possible longer term costs
Burial Ground likely to be full in 8 to 10 years time
Need to consider general economic climate and reaction to last year’s precept increase

10. Recommendation for Precept (2)
Financial Years 2009/10 & 2010/11 Decision
£130,000 precept equivalent to £94.05 per year for band D property
Financial Year 2011/12 Decision
£166,500 precept equivalent to £ per year for band D property
Financial Year 2012/13 Proposal
£131,000 precept equivalent to £93.38 per year for band D property (reduction of £27.48)

11. Three Year Forecast
Contributes £12,887 to General Reserves in addition to forecast surplus at year end to give total of nearly £20,000