New Capital Assurance Board to give “much needed oversight” to council’s capital finances
Tonight’s cabinet meeting announced the creation of a new ‘Capital Assurance Board’ – a cross party councillor and officer working group who will advise and help to develop the council’s capital investment strategy as well as better manage the assets we own as a council.
Council leader Julia Hilton said, “This Green initiative has been brought in to provide much-needed oversight of the council’s capital programme, and aid better financial decision-making.”
The council continues to find itself on rocky ground financially, however, and Cllr Hilton warned of a possible “perfect storm” with potential cuts at East Sussex County Council adding to an already strained local budget, due to continued pressure from people being made homeless. Julia explained, “Suggested cuts at County, such as to the Floating Housing Support Service, could increase our temporary accommodation costs by as much as £3 million under a worst case scenario. We’re only just starting to see our numbers stabilise through the measures we’ve been taking locally. It’s a huge concern.”
Julia called for everyone who uses ESCC’s services to answer their consultation. “It’s open until 28th November. Please make your views heard about how these cuts might impact you.”
You can find the consultations online: https://consultation.eastsussex.gov.uk/consultation_finder/
Paper copies will be made available at Hastings Borough Council’s Contact Centre.