Charity Committee minutes

Decided · A decision has been taken.

The committee resolved to approve the Foreshore Trust's financial position for 2025/26 and to note and approve its current financial position for 2026/27. p7

The committee resolved to note and endorse, for the time being, recommendations on how income and expenditure are allocated between Hastings Borough Council and the Foreshore Trust, subject to further governance steps. p9

The committee resolved to approve the launch of the Foreshore Trust's Small & Events Grant Programme 2026-2027, offering a total of £45,000 in grants of up to £6,000 to local voluntary and community organisations. p11

The committee resolved to ratify a delegated decision allocating £50,000 for tender documentation at White Rock Baths, and to delegate authority to allocate up to £1.5 million for further works there. p14

1 further sentence of this summary was held back by verification and is not shown. We only publish claims that survived checking against the cited passages.

Show the 4 passages this is based on

• p7Governance costs were £3,600 below budget due to lower than anticipated accountancy and audit fees. Draft usable reserves totalled approximately £2.15 million, around £280,000 higher than expected, representing a positive year-end position. Appendix 2 summarised the year-end balance sheet and the position at the end of April, including tangible assets, debtor balances owed by the Council and a cash position exceeding £2.2 million. Accruals reflected expenses incurred but not yet invoiced, including cleaning and accountancy costs. Appendix 3 provided a summary of grants paid during the current financial year, while Appendix 4 set out the asset maintenance plan, which was aligned with the approved budget. There being no questions to Officers, and no debate, the Committee RESOLVED: 1. To approve the financial position for 2025/26, and 2. To note and approve the current financial position for 2026/27. Reasons: The Council is responsible for the proper management of the Trust’s financial affairs and must ensure compliance with relevant Accounting Codes of Practice and the standards required for the stewardship of public funds. The summary monitoring report indicates a draft surplus, excluding depreciation, of £276,959 for 2025/26. This includes grant payments totalling £47,336. Excluding these grants, the surplus would be £324,295. For 2026/27, the report forecasts a surplus, excluding depreciation, of £5,252. This includes projected grant payments of £228,636. Excluding these grants, the forecast surplus would be £234,089.
• p9The report set out key principles to guide future allocations, recommending direct allocation of income and expenditure wherever practical and percentage-based allocations where direct attribution would be overly complex or resource intensive. The review also identified areas not currently subject to recharge arrangements, including beach huts and the skip used by fishermen. In addition, it was proposed that interest should be applied to annual balances owed to or from the Foreshore Trust. Implementation of the revised allocation methods was recommended from 1 April 2024, together with an annual review process to ensure that the arrangements remained appropriate and reflective of current operational circumstances. At the invitation of the Chair, Councillor Hilton expressed thanks for the timeliness of the review which would go some way to mitigating public concerns previously expressed about the Trust, and aide in the preparations for Local Government Reorganisation. There being no questions nor debate, the Committee RESOLVED: That subject to further necessary governance steps, the recommendations set out in the report be noted and endorsed for the time being. That Officers undertake the necessary further governance steps to enable Hastings Borough Council to consider the financial and service implications arising from the report to ensure a joined-up and transparent approach. 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 Trust’s financial reporting relies on Hastings Borough Council’s internal accounting systems, including how income and expenditure are apportioned between Hastings Borough Council (HBC) and the Foreshore Trust (FST). As service operations evolve, historic allocation methods may become outdated.
• p117. Launch of the Foreshore Trust Small & Events Grant Programme 2026-2027 Kate Darbyshire, Foreshore Trust Manager, presented the report seeking approval to launch Round 11 of the Foreshore Trust Small and Events Grants Programme at the end of June. The programme would provide a total funding pot of £45,000, offering grants of up to £6,000 to local voluntary and community organisations delivering projects and events in Hastings and St Leonards. It was explained that the scheme aimed to strengthen communities, promote inclusion and support environmental improvement, with funded activities taking place between October 2026 and September 2027. A timetable had been established, with applications opening at the end of June, closing in early August and funding recommendations due to be presented to the Committee in September. Members were advised that the programme was well established, delivered direct local benefits and supported the Trust’s key priorities. The Committee was therefore asked to approve the launch of the programme as set out in the report. During discussion, Members welcomed the additional support available to applicants through one-to-one guidance and workshops provided by Hastings Voluntary Action (HVA), noting previous feedback that some groups had struggled to understand the application requirements and provide the necessary information. Appreciation was expressed for the work undertaken by Abbie Williams to improve the application process and make guidance clearer for prospective applicants. Officers reported that feedback on the revised large grants application process had recently been sought and had been received positively. It was further noted that productive discussions had taken place with HVA and that a clear support package was being developed to assist applicants for the Small and Events Grants Programme. RESOLVED: That the launch of the Small & Events Grant Programme at the end of June 2026, be approved.
• p14In response to questions regarding the impact on reserves, it was reported that the £1.5 million investment had already been included as an illustrative provision within the approved budget, although the timing and phasing of expenditure would not be known until the tendering process had been completed. Members also sought clarification regarding the longevity of the proposed works. It was explained that previous works had focused on the conversion and reuse of the former swimming pool facility and had mitigated water ingress only to a limited extent. Subsequent structural surveys and site investigations had identified opportunities to address water ingress more effectively at its source through works to the promenade, reducing the need for extensive future concrete repairs and providing greater protection for the asset over the longer term. RESOLVED: To ratify the urgent delegated decision that was made in March 2026 to allocate £50,000, to undertake work needed to create the building works tender pack for the White Rock Baths. To approve the delegation of authority to the Deputy Chief Executive, or her nominee, in consultation with the Chair of the Charity Committee, to allocate up to £1.5 million for works to the White Rock Baths, as outlined in point 5 in the main report. Reason: A capital expenditure project is required to ensure the viable future of the asset. It is planned to build in a budget for ongoing maintenance into the new business and spending plans, and further reasons as stated in the report.