Item 13 - Educational Services Revenue Budgetary Control Report to 31 August 2024 (Period 5)
West Dunbartonshire Council · 27 November 2024
Back to Educational Services Committee — 27 November 2024 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by the Chief Officer (Resources) Educational Services Committee: 27 November 2024 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: Educational Services Revenue Budgetary Control Report to 31 August 2024 (Period 5) 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of the report is to provide Committee with an update on the financial performance of the Educational Services revenue budget to 31 August 2024 (Period 5) and the forecast position at 31 March 2025. 2. Recommendations 2.1 Committee is asked to: (a) note that the revenue account currently shows a projected annual adverse revenue variance of £0.134m, falling to £0.057m after use of an earmarked reserve for summer programme activities. 3. Background Revenue 3.1 At the meeting of West Dunbartonshire Council on 6 March 2024, Members agreed the revenue estimates for 2024/2025, including a total net Educational Services Committee budget of £123.901m. Since then the following budget adjustments have taken place revising the budget to £122.030m. Budget Agreed by Council 6 March 2024 £123.901m Early Years revenue support grant Reduction in APT&C pension contribution £0.413m (£2.284m) Revised Budget £122.030m The budget has been increased by the expansion element which has since the inception of 1140 expansion been included within Revenue Support Grant and held centrally. The budget has been reduced to reflect the decrease in Strathclyde pension fund contributions in the year. This budget has been vired to a central reserve to be used to balance the budget over the next four years as agreed at the Council meeting on 6 March 2024. . ITEM 13
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3.2 A list of agreed efficiencies and management adjustments totalling £1.745m is shown within Appendix 4. There are no current indications to suggest this will not be achieved. 4. Main Issues Revenue Budget 4.1 The current departmental budgetary position is summarised in Appendix 1, with detailed analysis by service in Appendix 2. 4.2 The overall projected full year variance is £0.057m adverse. Information and all individual variances of over £50,000 are detailed in Appendix 3. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no direct people implications. 6. Financial and Procurement Implications 6.1 Other than the financial position noted above and within the appendices, there are no financial or procurement implications of the budgetary control report. 6.2 Expenditure on the summer programme at the end of August was £0.077m. The earmarked reserve for the summer programme is £0.100m and will be spent in full on holiday activities in 2024/25. The remaining £0.023m has been fully committed although the expenditure was not through the ledger at period 5. 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 The main financial risks to the ongoing financial position relate to unforeseen costs and/or reduced income streams being identified between now and the end of the financial year. Finance staff are in regular discussion with budget holders to ensure potential issues are identified as early as possible in order to mitigate this risk. 8. Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) 8.1 The report is for noting and therefore, no Equalities Impact Assessment was completed for this report. 9. Consultation 9.1 The views of Education, Finance and Legal services were requested in the preparation of this report and they have advised there are neither any
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additional issues nor concerns with the proposal. As the report is for noting no further consultation is envisaged. 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: 18 October 2024 Person to Contact: Joe Reilly - Business Unit Finance Partner (Education), Church St, Dumbarton, G82 1QL, telephone: 01389 737707, e-mail joe.reilly@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 £50,000 Appendix 4 – Analysis of Revenue Efficiencies Background Papers: Ledger output – period 5 General Services Revenue Estimates 2024/25 Wards Affected: ,All