August Cabinet meeting preview

Reports on the council's finances, signing the UK100 climate pledge, and contracts for joint waste and cashless parking will be heard at the August Cabinet meeting on Monday 5 August.

The regular finance report provides an update on the council's financial position at the end of the first quarter of 2024/25. Cabinet will be asked to note the figures and how they compare to the predicted budget.

Councillors will also be given more information on the UK100 climate pledge and asked to agree to the leader of the council, Cllr Julia Hilton, signing the pledge. Joining the UK100 will provide several opportunities to the council, including training sessions and extra support to reach net carbon zero.

The joint waste contract that Hastings Borough Council currently works with Rother and Wealden district councils on is due for renewal in 2026. The report details the proposals to extend the contract with Biffa to 2033 to ensure continued service delivery at an affordable price.

The report on appointing a cashless parking contractor proposes to award the contract for cashless parking to RingGo, and for the council to join the national parking platform at an appropriate time. The council already has a contract with RingGo to provide parking services across the borough's off-street car parks, it accounts for 64% of all car park payments, with card payments at machines accounting for 24% and 12% being taken as cash. In 2019 cash accounted for 65% of all payments, showing a major shift to RingGo and card payments rather than cash. The new contract will move responsibility for paying the transaction fee from the council to the car park user in line with other East Sussex councils.

Councillors will also hear a verbal report updating on the work being done on landslides in the town. This includes on-going work around the Caves Road, Marina and West Hill Road area and at Old Roar Gill.

Cllr Julia Hilton, leader of the council, said: "Once again this Cabinet report has a lot for us to discuss and agree. Our finances and joining the UK100 network are two of our priorities, and the contracts for parking and waste are key services for our residents.

"We will also be welcoming questions from the public at the start of the meeting, if there is something you would like to ask a cabinet member, please come along and raise it. If we're unable to answer on the night, we will come back to you with a written response."

The meeting will start at 6pm on Monday 5 August at Muriel Matters House. You will be able to watch the meeting online, and read the full agenda and reports.