£1.68 MILLION — that’s how much the council could stand to miss out on from lost car park income by next year.
Best and worst-case scenarios have been forecasted for a range of council services after the coronavirus pandemic hit council coffers hard.
As the News reported earlier this month, the pandemic had cost Bracknell Forest Council £6.3 million up to July with a possible £14 million total by the end of the financial year in March 2021.
REVEALED: How much the council's coronavirus bailout of Everyone Active cost taxpayers
This figure is made up of extra spending the council has had to rubber-stamp due to the challenges the pandemic has thrown up, as well as the income it has missed out on from various revenue streams.
Car parking is just one of those sources of income.
Here are the best and worst-case scenarios for the extra costs set to be footed by the authority.
The Look Out
The Discovery Centre was forced to close at the start of lockdown and the need for social distancing upon re-opening is likely to further hamper income.
Best-case: £690,000 lost
Worst-case: £909,000 lost
READ MORE: The cost of the pandemic to Bracknell Forest Council so far
Planning income
A downturn in income in this area was particularly felt in the first two months of the financial year.
Best-case: £153,000 lost
Worst-case: £461,000 lost
Car parking
No cash coming in from daily charges, penalty charge notices, and staff parking meant the council lost out on a lot of income from April to July.
A report indicates that despite car park charges being reintroduced in July, the number of cars returning to council-owned car parks was down 45 per cent on budgeted figures.
Best-case: £426,000
Worst-case: £1,676,000
READ MORE: How much the pandemic could cost the council by the end of the year
Property income
BFC owns several commercial properties across the country and in Bracknell.
The best and worst-case scenarios here take into account the possibility of further lockdowns, units remaining vacant and potential rent-free periods for tenants.
Best-case: £217,000 loss
Worst-case: £1,119,000 loss
Management fees have been written off for the leisure operators for the 2020/2021 year, with added measures also in place to support the company.
Best-case: £2.39 million
Worst-case: £2.49 million
Building control income
This source considers local land charges and building control income. Finance chiefs have one eye on a second coronavirus peak impacting this income further.
Best-case: £46,000 loss
Worst-case: £141,000 loss
Birth registrations, marriage notices and ceremonies
According to a report, “the best-case scenario assumes a high uptake on additional appointments that have been made available for each activity.
“The worst-case scenario assumes that the majority of ceremonies do not take place or the majority of couples postpone until 21/22.”
Best -case: £26,000 gain
Worst-case: £104,000 loss
Waymead respite centre
This site is currently closed and costs are being incurred while no income is being generated.
Best-case: £23,000 loss
Worst-case: £46,000 loss
These losses and the state of the council's finances are set to be discussed at a meeting tonight (August 25).
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