A VAT shortfall of £3250.28 is threatening the installation of Metro Bins at Dunboyne Estate, according to reports from the Gospel Oak District Management Committee (DMC). The committee convened on 27 November 2025, to discuss the budget for 2025/26, among other items.
The issue arose from an approved bid at the June 2024 meeting, where £27,979 was allocated for the bin installation. However, it has since emerged that VAT was not included in the original costing.
The Gospel Oak DMC will now consider a request to cover the £3250.28 VAT shortfall. According to the November 2025 Gospel Oak DMC Budget Report, if the request is not approved, the VAT shortfall would not be covered by the DMC budget.
The Gospel Oak DMC budget report, included in the Public Reports Pack, states that the minor revenue and major works budget for 2025/2026 is £151,040.00. Tenant and Resident Associations (TRAs) are encouraged to submit bids for funding as early as possible, with all expenditure occurring within the current financial year.
According to the GODMC Budget Report November 2025, there were no new bids for consideration at the November 2025 meeting, but the committee was asked to approve the VAT shortfall request.
The Minutes of the Previous Meeting from 11 September 2025, detail a previous discussion on the Dunboyne Road TRA bins project, where members expressed frustration that such an omission had occurred. The committee agreed that it was important to learn lessons so that similar issues did not recur and resolved to approve the payment of £4,649.28 to cover the outstanding VAT for Dunboyne Road TRA.
