Item 18 - General Fund Housing and Communities Financial Report 2025 26 at Period 5
West Dunbartonshire Council · 19 November 2025
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL Report by Chief Officer – Resources Housing and Communities Committee: 19 November 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Subject: General Fund Housing and Communities Financial Report 2025/26 as at Period 5 (31 August 2025) 1. Purpose 1.1 The purpose of the report is to provide the Committee with an update on the financial performance to 31 August 2025 (Period 5) of General Fund Revenue services under the remit of the Housing and Communities Committee. 2. Recommendations 2.1 Members are asked to i) note the account currently shows a projected annual favourable variance of £0.002m. ii) note the progress on efficiencies incorporated into 2025/2026 budgets. 3. Background 3.1 Revenue Budget Members agreed the 2025/2026 revenue estimates at the Council meeting on 5th March 2025. A total net expenditure budget of £0.901m was approved for services under the Housing and Communities services remit. Budget Approved 5 March 2025 Gross Expenditure £m Gross Income £m Net Expenditure £m Homelessness Services 5.069 -4.241 0.828 Private Sector Housing 0.016 - 0.016 Private Sector Housing Grant 0.425 -0.382 0.043 Anti-Social Behaviour & CCTV 0.535 -0.230 0.305 Housing Maintenance Trading Organisation 20.581 -20.872 -0.291 Total 26.626 -25.725 0.901 ITEM 18
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4. Main Issues 4.1 Appendix 1 reports the forecast outturn for the services at £0.899m, a projected favourable variance of £0.002m 4.2 The Homelessness service is the only service forecasting an adverse variance. The current forecast is for a small overspend of £0.017m compared to the previous forecast to August committee of a £0.099m overspend. August committee was advised that homelessness service managers would review service staffing levels and review rent recovery performance across homeless lets to reduce overspends. The service has put in place a series of actions that will improve financial performance and service managers will continue to target further efficiencies that can eliminate the remaining overspend. Appendix 2 provides a detailed analysis by service area. Appendix 3 provides commentary of projected net annual variances greater than £0.050m. Appendix 4 shows progress on the delivering 2025/2026 saving options. 5. People Implications 5.1 There are no people implications. 6. Financial Implications 6.1 Other than the financial position noted above, there are no financial implications of the budgetary control report. 6.2 Agreed efficiencies for 2025/2026 are monitored with current indications being that all the budgeted savings of £0.222m will be achieved. (see Appendix 4) 7. Risk Analysis 7.1 The present variances should be viewed in the knowledge that there are several variable factors which could arise between now and 31 March and which could affect the year end results for both the revenue and capital budgets. 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 All services involved in delivering the budgets have been consulted in the compilation of this report.
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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 five strategic priorities of the Council’s Strategic Plan. This report forms part of the financial governance of the Council. This report is for noting and, therefore, does not directly affect any of the strategic priorities. Laurence Slavin Chief Officer, Resources Date: 19 November 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Person to Contact: Jim McCarron - Finance Business Partner, 16 Church Street, Dumbarton, G82 1QL Telephone: 07772 322055 e-mail james.mccarron@west-dunbarton.gov.uk Appendices: Appendix 1 - Summary Budgetary Position (Revenue) Appendix 2 - Detailed Budgetary Position (Revenue) Appendix 3 - Variance Analysis (Revenue) Appendix 4 - Monitoring of Efficiencies/Savings Options (Revenue) Background Papers: None Wards Affected: All