The Finance & Performance Scrutiny committee were scheduled to meet to discuss the performance of the Hinckley Leisure Centre, business rates, treasury management, sundry debts, and the council's financial position. They were also scheduled to review the performance and risk management framework, and the committee's work programme.

Here's a breakdown of the topics that were listed for discussion:

Financial Outturn

The committee was scheduled receive updates on the financial outturn for both 2024/25 and the first quarter of 2025/26. The report on the 2024/25 financial outturn stated that it was a draft, and subject to audit. The report included a recommendation that the council members approve:

• The General Fund Outturn for 2024/25
• Transfers to earmarked reserves and balances
• General Fund revenue carry forwards into 2024/25
• The Housing Revenue and Housing Repairs Account Outturn for 2024/25 and transfers to and from balances
• The Capital Programme outturn for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account from 2024/25
• The HRA carry forwards
• Capital carry forwards
• Additional budget approvals

The report also noted that the general fund balance as at 31 March 2025 was £1,918,000.

The report on the financial outturn position as at June 2025 stated that based on the approved budget from February 2025, it was anticipated that £314,921 would be transferred from balances and a net £483,292 transferred from earmarked reserves.

Treasury Management

The committee was scheduled to discuss the council's treasury management activity in the third and fourth quarters of 2024/25, and the first quarter of 2025/26. The reports included details of investment activity, borrowing activities, and economic background. The reports stated that the council's investment strategy prioritises safeguarding the repayment of the principal and interest of its investments on time, ensuring adequate liquidity, with the investment return being the final objective. The report on Treasury Management in Quarter 4 of 2024/25 noted that as of 31 March 2025 there was a £7 million loan outstanding with Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) which was due to be repaid on 10 March 2026. The report on Treasury Management in Quarter 1 of 2025/26 noted that the estimated additional borrowing in year would be around £8,000,000, primarily because the council had not borrowed to fund its capital programme in prior years and existing programme commitments.

Business Rates and Pooling Update

The committee was scheduled to receive updates on business rates performance from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, and from 1 April 2025 to 30 June 2025. The reports detailed how business rates are distributed between central government, the billing authority, and precepting authorities¹. The reports also acknowledged the volatility of business rates, which can be impacted by factors such as companies going out of business, empty properties, and appeals lodged by businesses. The report on the business rates performance from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 stated that as at 31 March 2025, the council had £4,516,000 of retained growth for 2024/25 compared to the £4,352,000 growth that was budgeted for, and that this increase was mainly due to the receipt of additional Section 31 grant².

Performance and Risk Management Framework

The committee was scheduled to receive the end of year summary for 2024/25, and the first quarter summary for 2025/26, in relation to performance indicators, service improvement plans, corporate risks, and service area risks. The end of year summary noted that there were 54 indicators set for the year 2024/25, and that of these, 37 met their set targets, 12 missed targets by 15% or less, and five missed targets by more than 15%. The end of year summary also noted that there were 20 Service Improvement Plans identified as Corporate , and that of these, 15 had met or were on schedule to meet their due dates, two had or were showing signs of slippage to their due dates, one had been completed, and two were no longer viable due to legal issues. The end of year summary further noted that 20 risks were identified as Corporate , and that of these, two had been highlighted as high risks: a balanced medium term financial strategy (MTFS), and planning designation. The first quarter summary for 2025/26 noted positive performance in customer services satisfaction on the telephone, the percentage of food inspections due completed, the percentage difference of people visiting the town centre due to events run by HBBC, the processing of planning applications, and the reduction in outstanding debt owed to HBBC.

Frontline Service Review - Hinckley Leisure Centre

The committee was scheduled to receive an annual report on the performance of Hinckley Leisure Centre for the 12-month period April 2024 – March 2025. The report stated that the leisure centre had performed consistently well over the last year, with monthly participation averaging 57,511 and monthly average footfall (visits) being 72,232. The report also noted that memberships had been stagnant or seen small decreases compared to the previous year. The report further noted that in April 2025, the council and Places Leisure installed over 700 solar panels on the roof of the leisure centre, which was expected to assist in the council's quest to become carbon neutral and could assist in mitigating energy usage costs. The report stated that Hinckley Leisure Centre's Net Promoter score was 40.5%, which was higher than the company standard of 22%. The report mentioned that the cost-of-living factor continues to affect consumer spend on leisure activities, and that Places Leisure had written to the council with their intention to provide future capital investment into the fitness facilities at Hinckley Leisure Centre.

Sundry Debts

The committee was scheduled to be informed of the position on sundry debts as at 31 March 2025. The report stated that as of 31 March 2025, the overall sundry debt was £2,075,257, and that the council has a key performance indicator (KPI) for debt over 90 days old as a percentage of aged debt, not exceeding 25%. The report noted that the performance for the end of March 2025 was 21.47%. The report also stated that a provision for doubtful debts of £131,000 had been made against the year-end balance.

Finance & Performance Scrutiny Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the work programme. The work programme listed a number of items for future meetings, including performance management framework updates, frontline service reviews, budget monitoring, and business rates and pooling updates.