The Spalding Town Forum was scheduled to meet on 30 September 2025 to discuss the Spalding Special Expenses, receive updates on the Traffic Regulation Order and the Active Cycling Route, and hear from the Spalding Business Improvement District Manager.

Spalding Special Expenses Q1 Forecast

The Spalding Town Forum was scheduled to consider the Spalding Special Expenses Q1 Forecast report for 2025-26. The report, prepared by Brendan Arnold, Interim Director of Finance, provided details of the forecast outturn against the budget for the quarter.

The report stated that the budget of £223,450 for 2025/26 had been approved by Full Council on 27 February 2025, and the forecast outturn for the year as at 30 June 2025 (Quarter One) was £211,207. It was noted that any savings realised at year end would be transferred to the earmarked Spalding Special Account reserve and would be approved as part of the 2025/26 outturn report for the council.

The report broke down the expenses into the following categories:

• Employees: Employee related costs, including salaries, NI¹ and pension costs.
• Income: Rents, hire fees and other fees and charges.
• Premises: Building maintenance and repairs, utilities, insurance and grounds maintenance.
• Supplies and Services: Furniture and equipment, materials and consumables, professional and contractors fees and licence fees.
• Transport: Transport running costs, including fuel and tyres costs.
• Support Services: Recharge costs for support provided by Finance, Democratic Services and Asset Management.
• Transfer Payments: Grants and contributions paid to outside bodies.

The report included a table that provided a detailed breakdown of the Spalding Special Expenses for 2025/26, comparing the 2024/25 actuals, the 2025/26 budget, the Quarter 1 budget, the Quarter 1 actuals, and the full year forecast.

The report stated that reserves are intended to cushion the impact of unexpected events or emergencies or to finance one-off investments, and that use of reserves can be approved under delegated authority by the section 151 Officer² up to the value of £75,000, with use above this to be approved by Cabinet. The report recommended that Spalding Town Forum members note the forecast for Q1 2025/26.

Traffic Regulation Order Update

The Spalding Town Forum was scheduled to receive a verbal update from the Chairman on the implementation of the Spalding Traffic Restriction Order (TRO).

Minutes from the meeting held on 18 June 2025, stated that the Chairman had received an update on the TRO position from Lincolnshire County Council which he would communicate to the Forum.

Active Cycling Route

The Spalding Town Forum was scheduled to receive an update on the planned Active Cycling Route.

Minutes from the meeting held on 18 June 2025, stated that Councillor Ingrid Sheard would provide a report at a future Spalding Town Forum meeting to update on the ongoing works and planned phases involving Spalding Town Centre, West Elloe and Pinchbeck cycle pathways.

Spalding Business Improvement District Manager Update

The Spalding Town Forum was scheduled to receive a verbal update from the Spalding Business Improvement District (BID) Manager. The Spalding BID is a business-led and business-funded body that aims to improve the town centre for businesses, residents and visitors.

Actions

The Spalding Town Forum was scheduled to view actions arising from the meeting held on 18 June 2025. These included:

• The Portfolio Holder for Community Development to present a slide show highlighting the work completed in the Public Realm and the improved Street Scene. Councillor Gary John Taylor is the Portfolio Holder for Community Development.
• The Chairman to add 'Enhancing cycle pathways' as an agenda item.
• The Chief of Finance to provide details on Spalding Recreational Premises figure of £44,900 and what this expense related to. The minutes from the meeting held on 18 June 2025 stated that the Chief of Finance had been asked to provide the STF with details of what the Spalding recreational Premises figure of £44,900 relates to, and that the figure was a contribution to Grounds Maintenance for Thames Road and Fulney Road parks.