Item 12 - Revenue Budgetary Control report to Period 7 October 2024
West Dunbartonshire Council · 5 February 2025
Back to Corporate Services Committee — 5 February 2025 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by the Chief Officer - Resources Corporate Services Committee – 5 February 2025 Subject: Corporate Services Revenue - Budgetary Control Report to 31 October 2024 (Period 7) 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of this report is to advise the Committee on the performance of the Corporate Services budget for the period to 31 October 2024. 2. Recommendations 2.1 Members are asked to: i) Note that the revenue account currently shows a projected annual favourable variance of £0.199m (0.55% of the total budget). 3. Background 3.1 Revenue Budget At the meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council on 6 March 2024, Members agreed the revenue estimates for 2024/25. A total net budget of £38.161m was approved for services under the remit for Corporate Services at that time. Since the budget changes to the value of -£1.796m have occurred, the details of these are as follows: Description £m Budget Agreed March 2024 38.161 Previously reported on 14-08-24 Removal of recharges to Central Support Allocation 0.142 Reduction in budgets in relation to Pension Fund reduced costs -2.807 Increase in Leisure Trust Management Fee Budget 0.370 Subsequent changes Additional Cost of 24-25 Pay Award 0.525 Minor budget movements between committees. -0.026 36.365 ITEM 12
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4. Main Issues Revenue Budget 4.1 The summary report at Appendix 1 identifies a projected annual favorable variance (underspend) of £0.199m, however after taking into account £0.340m of earmarked reserves available the underlying favourable variance is £0.539m (1.48%). Detailed service reports are attached as Appendix 2. £m £m Net Underlying Favourable Variance as at P5 -0.227 Movements in Service Variances Explanations Resources Cost of Collection Council Tax Increase in income from Statutory Additions -0.178 Audit £100k reduction in achievable income from fraud recoveries. 0.085 Finance Improved turnover achievement -0.023 Resources - Others -0.001 CCCF Citizen Services Increase in staff recharges to HMTA -0.084 Building Cleaning Impact of restrictions on filling vacancies -0.049 CCCF - Others -0.005 Regulatory & Regeneration Planning Additional planning income anticipated -0.055 R&R - Others 0.005 Others -0.007 Total Movement in Service Variances -0.312 Net underlying favourable variance as at P7 -0.539 4.2 There are seven projected annual variances in excess of £0.050m. Notes on these variances are highlighted and noted within Appendix 3, with additional information on action being taken to minimise or mitigate overspends where possible. 4.3 Although the report indicates that underlying expenditure is favourable in comparison to that anticipated during the budget exercise, the present variance should be viewed in the knowledge that there are a number of variable factors which could arise before 31 March 2025 and which could affect the year end results.
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4.4 Appendix 4 to the report summarises the current position against the saving options agreed by council as part of setting the 2024/25 budget 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no people implications. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 Other than the financial position noted above, there are no financial or procurement implications from this budgetary control report. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 The main financial risks to the ongoing financial position relate to unforeseen costs being identified between now and the end of the financial year. This can affect all service areas 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 No equalities impact assessment was required in relation to this report. 9. Consultation 9.1 All services involved in delivering the revenue and capital budgets have been consulted in the compilation of this report. 10. Strategic Assessment 10.1 Proper budgetary control and sound financial practice are cornerstones of good governance and support Council and officers to pursue the 5 strategic priorities of the Council’s Strategic Plan. This report forms part of the financial governance of the Council. Laurence Slavin Chief Officer Resources Date: 14 December 2024 Person to Contact: Adrian Gray, Finance Business Partner Council Offices, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton Telephone: (01389) 737838 E-mail: adrian.gray@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: Appendix 1 - Revenue Budgetary Control 2024/25 – Summary Report Appendix 2 - Revenue Budgetary Control 2024/25 – Service Reports Appendix 3 - Analysis of Revenue Variances over
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£50,000 Appendix 4 - Monitoring of Savings Options Background Papers: Ledger output – Period 07 General Services Revenue Estimates 2024/25 – Council 6 March 2024 Wards Affected All Wards