Charity Committee minutes

Decided · A decision has been taken.

The Charity Committee agreed the Foreshore Trust's financial position for 2025/26, which forecasts a deficit of £110,337, or a surplus of £250,709 once grants and depreciation are excluded, and agreed a reserves policy raising the minimum reserve level from £900,000 to £1.2 million, to be reviewed in six months. p5p6

The committee appointed four new members to the Grants Advisory Panel for a three-year term, with immediate effect from 15 December 2025. p7

The committee agreed to grant a new lease of the Kiosk, Upper Promenade Shop, Courtyard and ancillary areas at the former White Rock Baths to Source BMX Ltd. p8p9

The committee agreed to renew the lease for the Seafront Miniature Railway and delegated authority to the Property and Commercial Assets Manager to agree the final lease terms. p10

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• p518. Finance Monitoring Report to period 7 2025/26 The Finance Business Partner presented the finance monitoring report to advise the Charity Committee on the current year's financial position (2025/26). The report shows a forecast deficit of £110,000, though excluding grants and depreciation this becomes a £250,000 surplus. Income is performing strongly, with parking revenue £72,000 above expectations and foreshore management, which consists of rental income, showing a positive variance of £16,000, offset slightly by a £5,500 shortfall in investment income. Overall income is £84,000 higher than forecast. Expenditure is broadly in line with prior years. Foreshore management costs are £9,500 lower, depreciation shows a negative variance of £14,000 due to the capitalisation of the Pelham Playground project. Public conveniences show increased costs for cleaning and water. Usable reserves are projected at just over £2 million at the end of the financial year. The draft balance sheet (appendix 2) reflects fixed assets rising above £1 million, cash approaching £2 million, and a council loan scheduled for repayment by year-end. Appendix 3 proposes raising the minimum reserve level from £900,000 to £1.2 million and includes details underpinning the proposal. Responding to questions from the committee, the Finance Business Partner confirmed that the recurring overspend in car parking expenditure is not out of line with the past three years’ figures. The issue likely stems from the estimation during budget setting, which will be addressed going forward. The Deputy Chief Executive added that additional seasonal car park stackers at Rock-a- Nore car park may also have contributed, as their costs may not have been budgeted. Regarding the sensitivity of the forecast deficit to visitor numbers or the weather, it was acknowledged by the Deputy Chief Executive that both factors do impact car parking returns.
• p6Income from parking is showing a positive trend this year, and fluctuations are expected to even out by year-end. On the review of Hastings Borough Council management recharges, it was confirmed that this process is already underway and will be reported back before the end of the current financial year. The committee noted new additions to the risk register following comments from officers. These additional risks include the ability to rent properties due to new environmental legislation, and climate change. The Deputy Chief Executive noted that governance and local government reorganisation may be a future risk requiring specialist advice. The Finance Business Partner noted this is a working document and welcomed any other comments. Councillor Collins proposed adopting the reserves policy set out at appendix 3, to be reviewed in six months. RESOLVED (unanimously): 1. To agree the current financial position for 2025/26 2. To agree the reserves policy at Appendix 3, to be reviewed in six months. Reasons: The Council has the responsibility for the proper management of the financial affairs of the Trust. In doing so it complies with Accounting Codes of Practice and the high standards required for the accounting of public money. The summary monitoring report shows an overall forecast deficit of £110,337 for the 2025/26 financial year. This deficit includes the payment of projected grants totalling £273,132 and depreciation of £87,914. Without these two deductions the forecast would show a surplus of £250,709.
• p719. Appointment of Grant Advisory Panel Members The Senior Democratic Services Officer presented a report to appoint four new members to the Grants Advisory Panel (GAP) with immediate effect for a three-year term. The Charity Committee gave delegated authority for the Chief Legal Officer to advertise the for new GAP members in December 2024. There were numerous expressions of interest from a range of backgrounds and interviews were carried out in mid-November by a panel consisting of the Chair of the Grants Advisory Panel, the Chief Legal Officer, and the Foreshore Trust Manager. Councillor Collins thanked all the successful candidates for putting themselves forward to serve on the Panel. The Deputy Chief Executive thanked Nick Porter, Chair of the Grants Advisory Panel, and the Deputy Chair, for their support during the recruitment process. Nick Porter noted that the Grants Advisory Panel is entering the New Year with a strong core group of outstanding members who will be valuable assets to GAP and the Foreshore Trust. An onboarding process is being implemented, including online and face?to?face training, which will take place before the panel begins assessing large grants. RESOLVED (unanimously): To appoint the following individuals with immediate effect from 15 December 2025 for a period of three years. • David Hamman • Sharon Summers • Stephen Mangham • John Levett Reasons: On 13 January 2011, the Charity Commission for England and Wales approved Hastings Borough Council as trustee for the Hastings and St Leonards Foreshore Charitable Trust. The scheme required that the trustee must appoint members of the Grant Advisory Panel on the basis of their knowledge and experience of the voluntary and charitable sector and in particular their knowledge of the voluntary and charitable sector in the area of the Borough of Hastings.
• p820. Former White Rock Baths The Property and Commercial Assets Manager presented a report seeking approval to grant new leases at the former White Rock Baths. All leases expire on 11 th January 2026 and the committee previously agreed to explore granting new leases for areas including the upper promenade shops and courtyard. A survey has confirmed no issues, and an external surveyor advised that granting early leases is in the best interest of the Foreshore Trust. Heads of terms have been agreed in principle for a new 10?year lease at the recommended rent. The leases for the remainder of the White Rock Baths, the small and large skate park, will remain unchanged, with a further report due in January. The Source has operated the skate park at White Rock Baths since redeveloping the site in 2016, transforming it into an iconic venue that attracts thousands of visitors and hosts internationally recognised BMX and skateboarding events. Despite major improvements and investment, running such a large facility is costly, and income from skate park users has not covered expenses, with the Source’s wider business subsidising operations since the pandemic. To secure its future, the tenant plans to transition the skate park to a charitable foundation, enabling access to external funding and reduced business rates. This will allow longer opening hours, lower prices, and expanded community programmes, ensuring the White Rock Baths skate facilities remain sustainable and accessible for the long term. In response to a question, it was confirmed that the tenant is responsible for the interior maintenance and repairs, with the Trust responsible for the exterior and the concrete structure. The current programme of works is being developed. The Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that the Coastal Users Group discussed this at a previous meeting and no comments or questions were raised.
• p9Chris Richards asked whether it would be possible to see the long?term expenditure for the White Rock Baths. The Property and Commercial Assets Manager replied that she would need to consider the request further. RESOLVED (unanimously): To grant a new lease of the Kiosk, Upper Promenade Shop, Courtyard and ancillary areas as shown in Appendix 1 to Source BMX Ltd. Reasons: The external surveyor has advised it is considered be to in the Charity’s best interest to enter into a new lease as set out in the body of the report.
• p1021. Seafront Miniature Railway The Property and Commercial Assets Manager presented a report seeking approval to grant a new lease for the seafront miniature railway. The land subject to the lease is part owned by the Foreshore Trust (40%) and part owned by the Council (60%). The land owned by the Trust falls within the definition of 'specified land' in the Hastings Borough Council Act 1988. The existing lease expires in January 2026 and a report has been provided by external surveyors to provide an independent valuation. RESOLVED (unanimously): 1. That Charity Committee agrees to renew the Seafront Miniature Railway lease; and 2. That Charity Committee delegates to the Property and Commercial Assets Manager the authority to agree the final terms of the lease. Reasons: There is no reason not to grant a new agreement and this will secure the continued operation of the asset and rental income to the Trust.