Thursday 6th April, 2023
Colchester City Council’s Cabinet is set to meet on the 12th of April to discuss their End of Year Update report for the 2022/2023 municipal year. The report provides an update on the council’s key areas and priorities.
It’s a handover for whoever comes in next – which in all likelihood is going to be more of the same with another LibLab – or even LabLib – administration.
Despite the end of the current municipal year, the Council is still dealing with financial challenges. The budget gap for 2023/2024 is £6.95 million, which is more than a quarter of the controllable revenue budget.
The council has identified savings of £5.25 million and plans to use £1.7 million of reserves to balance the budget for the next fiscal year.
The Council is facing financial pressures, such as staff pay awards, planning income reduction, and corporate building costs, totalling £700,000, £359,000, and £191,000, respectively.
The report claims this year has been particularly challenging for the Council due to service pressures, inflationary pressures, and a significant in-year pay claim.
Balancing the 2023/2024 budget has been the most challenging budget to date due to external factors, such as post-pandemic financial recovery, budget reductions in previous years, and efficiency programs.
There is optimism elsewhere. The Council claims that the city of Colchester is on the “cusp of something great” due to the opportunities provided by the new Member and Officer Leadership team, growth plans, and city status.
City status doesn’t come with any monetary benefits or tax breaks, but it brings the potential for regional, national, and international recognition, pride, positivity, and opportunity, according to the report.
The Council has also planned a Year of Celebration, commemorating the 375th anniversary of the Siege of Colchester.
The Council plans to sell Colchester City Tiptree Jam at the Visitor Information Centre later in the year and host Gladiators at Colchester Castle. Which is nice.
In terms of city regeneration and renewal, the Council is working to adapt to the changing ways people work, shop, and spend their leisure time. The Council collaborated with Essex County Council and partners to create a comprehensive masterplan for the city centre in 2022-23.
The Town Deal programme secured £19 million of government funding to improve Colchester’s economy, create jobs, tackle inequalities, and make lasting improvements to the area.
The Council also submitted a joint bid with Essex County Council to the second round of the Levelling Up Fund in 2022-23, amounting to almost £20 million to improve the St Botolph’s area of the city centre.
The Peer Challenge recommended an independent review of Colchester Commercial Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries, as well as an internal review of Colchester Borough Homes to determine if the companies are delivering the benefits they were established to provide.
Finally, the Council sees progress in the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community, with a submission version of the Development Plan Document prepared for public consultation in May 2023. At least someone sees some optimism here.
It’s a comprehensive report for whatever new administration comes into the Town Hall next month. Welcome to the new boss, same as the old boss, etc.
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