The Spalding Town Forum met on Wednesday 18 June 2025 to discuss the Spalding Special Expenses account, receive updates on town centre projects, and plan future agenda items. Councillor Robert A Gibson, Chairman of the Spalding Town Forum, was scheduled to provide updates on the Spalding Town Centre Traffic Regulation Order, and Councillor James Le Sage, Deputy Leader of the South Holland Independents Group, was scheduled to provide feedback on the Celebrate the River Day event. The forum was also expected to review actions from the previous meeting and consider the Spalding Special Expenses Q4 report for 2024-25.

Spalding Special Expenses

The Spalding Town Forum was scheduled to discuss the Spalding Special Expenses Q4 report for 2024/25. The report, prepared by Brendan Arnold, Interim Director of Finance (S151), detailed the actual outturn against the budget for the financial year.

The report highlighted that the outturn position as of 31 March 2025 was £192,366, against a budget of £246,350. Any savings realised at year end are to be transferred to the earmarked Spalding Special Account reserve.

The report also included a breakdown of spending and income for various cost centres:

• Allotments: A small underspend was reported due to aligned rental income.
• Ayscoughfee Leisure: A favourable variance was reported due to utility cost recharges to Ayscoughfee Café, but there was also a £23,730 spend for replacement of soft floor play areas following criminal damage.
• Cemeteries: Increased income was reported as cemetery charges for non-parishioners were increased for 2024/25, and savings were made in relation to maintenance of footpaths and roadways.
• Christmas Decorations: Savings in electricity costs were reported.
• Halley Stewart: Spalding United FC lease commenced in July, with hire income overachieving against the original budget.
• Monkshouse Lane: External contract costs were incurred for tree maintenance, offset by utility savings.
• Spalding Special Contributions: Savings were reported, which were transferred to the Monkshouse Lane budget to support additional tree maintenance costs.
• Spalding Special Recreation: Spending was in line with the budget.

The report also provided a forecast of the reserve position, with an estimated closing balance of £192,171. It was noted that the Section 151 Officer¹ has delegated authority to approve the use of reserves up to £75,000, with any use above this amount requiring approval from the Cabinet.

Town Centre Updates

The Spalding Town Forum was scheduled to receive updates on two town centre initiatives:

• Celebrate the River Day: Councillor James Le Sage was expected to provide feedback on the Celebrate the River Day event, which took place on 8 June 2025. The event was hosted by the Welland Yacht Club, with support from Spalding Water Taxis and local ward councillors. The public were encouraged to participate in paddle boarding and canoeing, with refreshments provided at the Welland Yacht Club.
• Spalding Town Centre Traffic Regulation Order: Councillor Robert A Gibson, Chairman of the Spalding Town Forum, was scheduled to provide an update from Lincolnshire County Council on the Traffic Regulation Order for Spalding Town Centre.

Public Realm and Street Scene

The Portfolio Holder - Community Development was scheduled to provide a verbal update on the work of the Public Realm and Street Scene. The update was to include a slide show presentation depicting the work that has been completed, with before and after pictures highlighting the visible improvements.

The Portfolio Holder – Community Development was also scheduled to address the new criteria for Plans for Neighbourhoods funding investment, as a future Spalding Town Forum agenda item.

Other Business

The Spalding Town Forum was also scheduled to:

• View actions arising from the meeting held on 18 March 2025.
• Consider suggestions for future agenda items.
• Discuss any other urgent items at the Chairman's discretion.