HOLYHEAD TOWN COUNCIL

DRAFT ESTIMATES 2017/2018

INTRODUCTION

Draft Estimates for financial year 2017/2018, I have attempted to cover most eventualities that are likely to occur in the coming year.  I would like, at the outset, to point out that these are draft Estimates, which are prepared some three months beforehand and that allowances must therefore be made for any unforeseen expenditure between now and the end of the financial year in March. This obviously means that the estimates are in effect for one year and four months, rather than a twelve-month period.

I have been able to let 1 office to the Revenues and Benefits Department of the County council which keeps this very important service here in the Town, I have been able to let 1 office to a company called VIP Services Ltd and 2 Offices to the Wales CRC Probation, I have received confirmation that the County Council would like the Town Council to continue with the work on the Celtic Gateway Bridge which includes the Steel Work, Graffiti removal, and litter picking until March 2018 The Council have now resolved to administer and manage the properties of the Penrhos Alms houses Charity since October 2008 the charge for this service is now 10K per annum  and indexed linked.

The Empire Complex has been very successful in the first 3 years to the middle of November 2016 with 138,835 customers using the Cinema and 122,207  customers using the Play Centre giving a total of 261,42 using the complex since opening this project provides a good facility for the community and visitors to the Town and secures 9 full time and 2 part time sustainable jobs for the town, and as the complex is paying for itself some of the surplus made in the Complex is invested in other projects the Town Council provide for the community for example the CCTV, Toilets in Town, Play Areas, Bus shelters and lots more. 

Members will be aware that the Council resolved to possibly take over the South Stack Road Park as the County Council will be closing it, I have included £40.000 in the precept the same as last year so that if the Town Council does resolve to take it over the Council will have an allocated part of the Budget to take over the Park and staff it for the future subject to grants being made available to carry out the necessary improvements to the park this capital can be allocated towards any match funding required for grants applied for, should the Council not support putting the additional amount in the precept the Council will not have the necessary funds in place to take it over, and should no other group take it over it will close according to the statement issued by the County council.

EXPENDITURE

As in every year the estimates have had to be calculated on the assumption that wages employers’ pension and N.I contributions and materials will rise from between three to four percent.

The Council resolved in the past couple of years to take on 2 new services the Toilets in Swift Square and installing a new CCTV service for the Town I have included both in the budget. Again both services are providing a much needed service to the community and visitors to the town.          

INCOME

By the end of this financial year rental income for office accommodation will be approximately  20k the following organisations now rent offices in the Town Hall, N.H.S. Drugs Advisory Service,  Porth Y Felin Partnership, Anglesey County Council Revenue and Benefits, Arch D.I.P. Programme, Anglesey County Council Parking Attendants, apart from the revenue generated from these organisations for the Council it makes good use of the Town Hall for delivering these services to the community.

The Council also deliver other services to the community on contract to the County Council, Graffiti Removal, Litter Picking Celtic Gateway Bridge Steel Work and Playground Inspection for Gwelfor Community Centre, the revenue generated is £21k per annum which gives the Council flexibility to allocate expenditure on Council assets and services that are provided in the community.  

Again this year I have marketed via our web site and facility leaflet the availability of the Town Hall as a venue for meetings and seminars, by providing rooms and refreshments when required this again has generated revenue of approximately £5,000.

This year the Council has been successful in receiving £1,600 in financial support towards Christmas Activities.

CONCLUSION

I estimate that working balances at the end of this financial year will be approximately £25K; I would recommend that it is be earmarked for Capital improvements to Council Assets.        

Estimates for 2017/2018 amounts to £387,292 The Council Tax base estimated by Anglesey County Council in respect of band “D” for 2017/2018 amounts to £3,810.66, £55.092.00 of the total budget is the Town Council’s contribution to the Holyhead Joint burial committee for the running of Maeshyfryd cemetery.

To obtain the figure required to be charged by Holyhead Town Council the total estimated expenditure (£387,292) is divided by the County Council for Band “D” (£3,810.66) which gives a figure of £101.63 this is an increase of £1.24 per band D property per annum over last year, which is just over 2 pence per week rise on last year.         

If there are any details which are not clear to any Member of the Council, I will obviously try to explain in more detail, or if any member wishes to call at my office prior to the meeting I will go through the figures with you.

IN CONCLUSION, I FORMALLY RECOMMEND THAT THE NET EXPENDITURE FOR THE HOLYHEAD TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 2017/2018 SHOULD BE £387,292.00 AND THAT THE COUNCIL TAX BAND “D” SHOULD BE £101.63 WITH THE CHARGES FOR THE OTHER BANDS BEING IN PROPORTION.