Crowland councillor calls for greater clarity over finances of South Holland Centre
Calls have again been made for greater clarity over the finances of the South Holland Centre during discussions on a council audit.
Finance chief Paul Redgate praised South Holland District Council’s portfolio holders and officers for their hardwork and dedication in supporting the authority’s current position.
A report to last week’s cabinet meeting found that there is a £116,000 underspend in 2023/24 general fund and a surplus of £701,000 in the Housing Revenue Account.
However, the council has an efficiency target of £887,000 for the 2023/24 budget but has achieved 78% by making £695,000 savings.
Opposition councillor Bryan Alcock said: “I do accept that this is a credible performance in a difficult climate. We must not lose sight of the fact that what turned out to be a good result was helped by a great extend by over half-a-million increase in investment income. If that had not occurred, it would not have been quite so rosy.”
Coun Alcock has in the past been calling for greater clarity over the finances of the South Holland Centre.
He said highlighted that the Market Place theatre had underperformed by £35,000 in the last financial report and that there had been over-estimates on the power bill.
Coun Alcock said that there were councillors trying to get a ‘better understanding of the financial aspects of that building’.
After praising the centre’s management team, he went onto say: “I think the new portfolio holder will need have to give some better facts and figures.”
- A ‘huge spike’ in visitors numbers have been reported at Ayscoughfee Hall, the cabinet meeting was also told.
A report to the cabinet showed that the Spalding museum had received 4,179 visitors during the final quarter of the 2023/24 financial year with 1,354 in the third.
The Light Night event, which included stunning fire displays and enchanting illuminations set-up around the gardens in March, was highlighted as one reason for the boost in numbers.
Coun Liz Sneath, portfolio holder, also felt that the hall hosting Spalding Gentlemen’s Society while work is being undertaken to its Broad Street museum has also played a part in the success.
She said: “This is going to be a real trend and this is a really good part of having them there.”
Leader of the council, Coun Nick Worth, said he attended the Gentlemen’s Society’s launch event which was attended by academics.
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