Audited Annual Accounts for the Year Ended 31 March 2024
Argyll and Bute Council · 20 December 2024
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ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL COUNCIL FINANCIAL SERVICES 20 DECEMBER 2024 AUDITED ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 This report provides Members with an update on the external audit of the Annual Accounts of the Council for the year ended 31 March 2024. 1.2 The audit of the annual accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 is substantially complete. However, the external Annual Audit Report identifies some residual matters that remain outstanding at the time of report preparation. Mazars has committed to providing an update in relation to the outstanding matters through issuance of a follow up letter. In addition, Mazars have noted that they expect to issue an unqualified opinion and the draft opinion has been inserted into the Annual Accounts document. 2. RECOMMENDATION 2.1 It is recommended that the Council: • Note that the audit is substantially complete and that Mazars have advised the Council that they are expecting to issue an unqualified opinion on the Council’s Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024; • Consider Mazars Annual Audit Report, given in Appendix 2; • Authorise for issue, the Council’s Audited Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024, included as Appendix 3, on the basis that no material changes are anticipated to arise from the follow up letter from Mazars, otherwise the Audited Annual Accounts would be referred back to Members for approval; and • Approve for signature the Letter of Representation, included as Appendix 4. 3. DETAIL 3.1 Mazars are the Council’s appointed external auditors, with financial year 2023-24 being year 2 of a 5 year contract period. 3.2 There has been a significant improvement in the timescale for completion of the audit from the previous year. It is anticipated that continuous improvements will be made in future years towards a target completion date of 30 September. 3.3 The audit of the annual accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 is substantially complete. However, the external Annual Audit Report identifies some residual matters that remain outstanding at the time of report preparation. Mazars has committed to providing an update in relation to the outstanding matters through issuance of a follow
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up letter. In addition, Mazars have noted that they expect to issue an unqualified opinion and the draft opinion has been inserted into the Annual Accounts document. 3.4 A copy of the full external Annual Audit Report is included at Appendix 2. The key messages contained within the report are as follows: • Financial Management - The Council has an appropriate financial management culture in place. It reviews its system of internal financial control annually. - The Council has appropriate budget monitoring and reporting arrangements in place, with appropriate contingency funds in place in accordance with policies. - The Council has appropriate arrangements to prevent and detect fraud and corruption. • Financial Sustainability - The Council has effective financial planning, with an established process to ensure there is early engagement of budget proposals. • Vision, leadership and Governance - The Corporate Plan sets a clear vision for the Council for the four-year period. - The Corporate Plan sets out objectives, measures of success and key commitments under each priority. - The Council has considered equality outcomes and socio-economic impacts regarding key decisions. - The Council has appropriate governance arrangements in place. - The Council provides councillors with sufficient information to allow effective scrutiny of its finances and performance. • Use of Resources - The Council’s resource plans are aligned with the Corporate Plan. - The Council has identified how services will contribute to achievement of its strategic priorities and objectives. - The Council consults regularly with service users to understand how it can meet their needs. - The Council has clear priorities and suitable arrangements in place to measure improvement. • Best Value - The Council has a clear vision. - The Council has appropriate Governance arrangements in place. - The Council’s annual business plans, and workforce and digital strategies are aligned with its corporate plan. - The Council demonstrates participation in partnerships and collaborative working. - The Council knows it needs to work effectively with citizens and communities to achieve its strategic objectives. - Actions to reduce inequalities underpin the Council’s priorities and objectives.
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3.5 Assuming that there are no further changes to the accounts, the main adjustments, in addition to some presentational changes, are in respect of accounting for Pensions. It has been necessary to restate Pensions Assets, Liabilities and Reserves, to reflect technical guidance and accounting requirements of IAS19, in respect of the Asset Ceiling adjustment. Further details of the impact on the Financial Statements are provided in Appendix 1. 3.6 There has been no change to the General Fund balance, as a result of the adjustments noted in paragraph 3.5 above. 3.7 Key highlights of the Council’s financial position, based on the draft Audited Annual Accounts are as follows: • An accounting Surplus on Provision of Services for 2023-24 of £9.765m; • A Revenue Budget underspend for 2023-24 of £1.728m; • Total Assets less Liabilities as at 31 March 2024 of £522.020m; and • A General Fund Balance as at 31 March 2024 of £115.741m. 3.8 The committed funds within the General Fund are £107.443m per the draft Audited Annual Accounts, leaving an uncommitted General Fund balance of £8.298m as at 31 March 2024. This equates to 2.9% of the Council's approved budgeted net expenditure for 2023-24, exceeding the contingency set at 2% of approved budget, as agreed as part of the 2023-24 budget process. 3.9 The draft Audited Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 are included as Appendix 3, while the Letter of Representation is given as Appendix 4 to this report. 3.10 There has been a significant improvement in the timescale for completion of the audit compared to the previous year. Whilst this is welcomed, continuous improvement is still required over future years, in order for the audit to be completed within the target timescale of 30 September, following the financial year end. A protracted audit process can have a detrimental impact in supporting other council priorities, such as the budget process, over this period. 4. CONCLUSION 4.1 This report advises Members on the expected conclusion of the audit of the annual accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024. The external auditors, Mazars expect to issue an unqualified opinion and minimal adjustments were made to the unaudited annual accounts during the audit process. Mazars have issued their Annual Audit Report for 2023-24, which is predominantly positive. 5. IMPLICATIONS 5.1 Policy – None 5.2 Financial – None, with no impact on the General Fund balance. 5.3 Legal – Not expected to be any legal issues.
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5.4 HR – Further pressure placed upon key finance staff in respect of competing priorities and resourcing challenges, due to the protracted audit process beyond target completion date of 30 September 2024. 5.5 Fairer Duty Scotland: 5.5.1 Equalities – protected characteristics – None 5.5.2 Socio-economic Duty – None 5.5.3 Islands – None 5.6 Climate Change – None 5.7 Risk – None known at this time. 5.8 Customer Service - None 5.9 The Rights of the Child (UNCRC) - None Kirsty Flanagan Executive Director/ Section 95 Officer December 2024 Policy Lead for Finance and Commercial Services: Councillor Ross Moreland For further information contact: Carolyn Earl, Acting Head of Financial Services carolyn.earl@argyll-bute.gov.uk APPENDICES Appendix 1 - Summary of Substantive Audit Changes to Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Appendix 2 - Annual Audit Report 2023-24 Appendix 3 - Argyll and Bute Council draft Audited Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 Appendix 4 - ISA 580 Letter of Representation
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Appendix 1 Summary of Substantive Audit Changes to Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 Financial Statement / Segment Audited Accounts £000s Unaudited Accounts £000s Change £000s Comments/Explanation Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement To reflect the technical guidance and accounting requirements of IAS19 in respect of Pensions. A restatement is required to reflect the Asset Ceiling adjustment, which brings the Pension Asset value to £nil, after allowing for the Unfunded Pensions Obligation/Liability. Other Comprehensive (Income) and Expenditure Actuarial (gains) or losses on Pension Assets and Liabilities 164,914 (123,880) 288,794 Movement in Reserves Statement Pension Reserve Other Comprehensive (Income) and Expenditure 164,914 (123,880) 288,794 Balance Sheet Long Term Assets Other Long Term Debtors (Pensions) 0 269,216 (269,216) Long Term Liabilities Unfunded Pensions Liability (19,578) 0 (19,578) Reserves Pensions Reserve 19,578 (269,216) 288,794 Note: The above adjustments reflect those within the Council’s (single entity) Financial Statements. Similar adjustments have also been made within the Group Financial Statements.
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Annual Audit Report Argyll and Bute Council – year ended 31 March 2024 December 2024 Appendix 2
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Audit and Scrutiny Committee
Argyll and Bute Council
Lochgilphead
Argyll
PA31 8RT
6 December 2024
Forvis Mazars
26 Mosley Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 1DF
Dear Committee Members and Controller of Audit,
Annual Audit Report – Year ended 31 March 2024
We are pleased to present our Annual Audit Report for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The purpose of this document is to summarise our audit conclusions and findings from our
considerations of the wider scope audit specified in the Code of Audit Practice 2021
namely, financial management; financial sustainability; vision, leadership and governance;
and use of resources to improve outcomes.
The scope of our work, including identified significant audit risks, and other key judgement
areas, was outlined in our Annual Audit Plan, which we presented to you on 13 June 2024.
We have reviewed our Annual Audit Plan and concluded that the significant audit risks and
other key judgement areas set out in that report remain appropriate.
We would like to express our thanks for the assistance of your team during our audit.
If you would like to discuss any matters in more detail, then please do not hesitate to
contact me on 0191 383 6339.
Yours faithfully
Mark Outterside (Director)
Forvis Mazars LLP
Annual Audit Report letter
Forvis Mazars LLP – 26 Mosley Street – Newcastle upon Tyne – NE1 1DF Tel: {0191 383 6339} – www.forvismazars.com/uk
Forvis Mazars LLP is the UK firm of Forvis Mazars Global, a leading global professional services network. Forvis Mazars LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC308299 and
with its registered office at 30 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7AU. Registered to carry on audit work in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Details about our audit registration can be viewed at
www.auditregister.org.uk under reference number C001139861. VAT number: GB 839 8356 73Page 8
3 Contents 01 Executive summary 02 Status of the audit 03 Audit approach 04 Significant findings 05 Internal control conclusions 06 Summary of misstatements 07 Wider Scope 08 Best Value A Appendix A: Draft management representation letter B Appendix B: Draft audit report C Appendix C: Confirmation of our independence D Appendix D: Other communications E Appendix E: Wider scope and Best Value ratings Our reports are prepared in accordance with Terms of Appointment Letter from Audit Scotland dated 18 May 2022 through which the Accounts Commission has appointed us as external auditor of Argyll and Bute Council (the Council) for financial years 2022/23 to 2026/27. We undertake our audit in accordance with Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, as amended; and our responsibilities as set out within Audit Scotland’s Code of Audit Practice 2021. Reports and letters prepared by appointed auditors and addressed to the Council are prepared for the sole use of the Council and made available to Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission, the Controller of Audit. We take no responsibility to any member or officer in their individual capacity or to any other third party.
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01Executive Summary
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5 Executive summary Audit conclusions and significant findings The detailed scope of our work as your appointed auditor for 2023/24 is set out in Audit Scotland’s Code of Audit Practice 2021. Our responsibilities and powers are derived from Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and as outlined in our Annual Audit Plan, our audit has been conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and means we focus on audit risks that we have assessed as resulting in a higher risk of material misstatement. In section 4 of this report we have set out our conclusions and significant findings from our audit. This section includes our conclusions on the audit risks and areas of management judgement in our Annual Audit Plan, which include: • Management override of controls; • Valuation of the net defined benefit (liability)/surplus; • Valuation of property; and • Accounting for PFI and PPP contracts Misstatements and internal control recommendations Section 5 sets out internal control recommendations and section 6 sets out audit misstatements. Section 7 outlines our work on the Council’s arrangements to achieve economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources. Status and audit opinion Our audit work in on the financial statements is well progressed. However, we are finalising work in the areas highlighted in Section 2 of this report. We will provide an update to you in relation to the significant matters outstanding through issuance of a follow up letter. Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the remaining audit work, we have the following conclusions: Audit opinion We expect to issue an unqualified opinion, without modification, on the financial statements. Our proposed audit opinion is included in the draft auditor’s report in Appendix B. Matters on which we report by exception We are required by the Accounts Commission to report to you if, during the course of our audit, we have found that adequate accounting records have not been kept; the financial statements and the audited part of the Remuneration Report are not in agreement with the accounting records; or we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.
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6 Executive summary (continued) Conclusions from our audit testing and audit opinion (continued) Other information We are required to report on whether the other information (comprising of Management’s Commentary, Statement of Responsibilities and the unaudited parts of the Remuneration Report), is materially inconsistent with the financial statements; is materially inconsistent with our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit; or is materially misstated. No inconsistencies have been identified and we expect to issue an unmodified opinion in this respect. Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement We are required to report on whether the information given in the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement is consistent with the financial statements; and has been properly prepared in accordance with the statutory guidance issued under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 and Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework 2016. We have no matters to report in respect of the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement Wider powers Section 101 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 requires us to give any person interested, the opportunity to question us about the accounting records of the Council and to consider any objection made to the accounts. We did not receive any such correspondence from electors. Whole of Government Accounts (WGA) We anticipate completing our work on the Council’s WGA submission, in line with the Technical Guidance Note TGN/WGA/24, provided by Audit Scotland. We anticipate reporting that the WGA submission is consistent with the audited financial statements
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7 Executive summary (continued) Best Value and Wider Scope conclusions As auditors appointed by the Accounts Commission, our wider scope responsibilities are set out in Audit Scotland’s Code of Audit Practice 2021 and sits alongside Best Value requirements detailed the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The Code requirements broaden the scope of the 2023/24 audit and allows us to use a risk-based approach to report on our consideration of the Council’s performance of best value and community planning duties and make recommendations for improvement and, where appropriate, conclude on the Council’s performance. The Code’s wider scope framework is categorised into four areas: • financial management; • financial sustainability; • vision, leadership and governance; and • use of resources to improve outcomes. It remains the responsibility of the Council to ensure proper financial stewardship of public funds, it complies with relevant legislation, and establishes effective governance of their activities. The Council is also responsible for ensuring that it establishes arrangements to secure continuous improvement in performance and, in making those arrangements, ensures resources are being used to improve strategic outcomes and demonstrate the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness throughout the use of its resources. These arrangements should be proportionate to the size and type of the Council, appropriate to the nature of the Council and the services and functions that it has been created to deliver. Wider Scope We anticipate having no risks in arrangements to report in relation to the financial management; financial sustainability; vision, leadership and governance; and use of resources to improve outcomes arrangements that the Council has in place. Further detail on our Wider Scope work is provided in section 7 of this report including any significant risks identified. Best Value We anticipate having no risks in arrangements to report in relation to the arrangements that the Council has in place to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of resources. Further detail on our Best Value work is provided in section 8 of this report including any significant risks identified.
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02Status of the audit
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9 Status of our audit Our audit work is substantially complete and there are currently no matters of which we are aware that would require modification of our audit opinion, subject to the satisfactory resolution of the outstanding matters set out below. Audit Area and Description of Outstanding Matter Classification Debtors Our testing of debtors is substantially complete, a limited number of audit queries remain outstanding. Low Valuation of the net defined benefit (liability)/surplus We are finalising our work in this area, including review of the revised disclosures relating to audit adjustments. Medium Valuation of property, plant and equipment Our work is substantially complete, and we are finalising our work in this area. Medium Cash and Bank Balances We are finalising our work in this area; including receipt of a small number of third-party confirmations. Low Comprehensive income and expenditure testing We are working with officers to finalise our income, expenditure and cut-off testing for a limited number of queries. Low Consolidation process for group accounts Our work is substantially complete, we are finalising our review of this work. Low Annual report and accounts and letter of representation We will complete our final review of the annual report and accounts upon receipt of the final signed version of the accounts and letter of representation. Low Audit quality control and completion procedures Completion of Manager and Partner review and our quality control processes in respect of the audit. Review of post balance sheet events up to the point at which we sign our audit report. Low Status High - Likely to result in a material adjustment or a significant change to disclosures in the financial statements. Medium - Potential to result in a material adjustment or a significant change to disclosures in the financial statements. Low - Not considered likely to result in a material adjustment or a change to disclosures in the financial statements.
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03Audit Approach
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11 Audit Approach Changes to our audit approach There have been no changes to the audit approach we communicated in our Annual Audit Plan. Materiality Our provisional materiality at the planning stage of the audit was set at £9,529k for the Council and £9,665k for its group using a benchmark of 2% of gross revenue expenditure at surplus/deficit level. Our Performance materiality was set at £6,670k for the Council and £6,766k for its group. Based on the final financial statement figures the final overall materiality we applied was £9,697k for the Council and £9,810k for its group, final performance materiality: £6,788k for the Council and £6,867k for its group; final clearly trivial threshold: £291k for the Council and £294k for its group. Use of experts We used our experts to assist us in obtaining sufficient appropriate audit evidence in relation to specific areas of the accounts. In addition to the experts listed in our Annual Audit Plan, we used Forvis Mazars’ Real Estate Valuation Team to review the Council’s valuation methodology on DRC and EUV assets, consider the Council’s non-revalued assets methodology on DRC assets and review the Council's approach to non-revalued EUV assets. Service organisations International Auditing Standards (UK) (ISAs) define service organisations as third-party organisations that provide services to the Council that are part of its information systems relevant to financial reporting. We are required to obtain an understanding of the services provided by service organisations as well as evaluating the design and implementation of controls over those services. We have not identified any relevant service organisations. Charitable Trusts Our provisional materiality for the charitable trusts was set at £16,318, a single materiality to reflect that the charitable trusts financial statements are covered by a single audit opinion. This remains unchanged at final as it was based on the draft financial statements for 2023/24. We have provided our consideration of our independence as part of the Council engagement and Charitable Trust engagement in Appendix C.
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12 Audit Approach (continued) Group audit approach Group component Approach adopted Key points or matters to report Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board Specific procedures. Our audit of the IJB is underway and we expect there to be changes to the IJB’s accounts, which will impact on our work. Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Valuation Joint Board Desktop review procedures. Our work in this area is ongoing with no key points to report as at the time of this report. Live Argyll Audit of pension balances and disclosures. Our work in this area is ongoing with no key points to report as at the time of this report. Common Good Accounts N/A N/A . Full audit - Performance of an audit of the component’s financial information prepared for group reporting purposes using component materiality Audit of balances and/or disclosures - Performance of an audit of specific balances and/or disclosures included in the component’s financial information prepared for group reporting purposes, using component materiality Specific audit procedures - Performance of specific audit procedures on the component’s financial information Review procedures - Review of the component’s financial information prepared for group reporting purposes using the component materiality assigned
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04Significant findings
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14 Significant findings Significant findings, including key areas of management judgement The significant findings from our audit include: • our audit conclusions regarding significant risks and key areas of management judgement outlined in the Annual Audit Plan; • our comments in respect of the accounting policies and disclosures that you have adopted in the financial statements. On page 19 we have concluded whether the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the financial reporting framework and commented on any significant accounting policy changes that have been made during the year; and • any significant difficulties we experienced during the audit.
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15 Significant findings Management override of controls ] Description of the risk This is a mandatory significant risk on all audits due to the unpredictable way in which such override could occur. Management at various levels within an organisation are in a unique position to perpetrate fraud because of their ability to manipulate accounting records and prepare fraudulent financial statements by overriding controls that otherwise appear to be operating effectively. Due to the unpredictable way in which such override could occur there is a risk of material misstatement due to fraud on all audits. How we addressed this risk We addressed this risk through performing audit work over: • Accounting estimates impacting amounts included in the financial statements for evidence of management bias; • Consideration of identified significant transactions outside the normal course of business; and • Journal entries recorded in the general ledger and other adjustments made in preparation of the financial statements Audit conclusion Our work has provided the assurance we sought in each of these areas and as at the time of this report has not highlighted any material issues to bring to your attention.
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16 Significant findings (continued) Valuation of the net defined benefit (liability)/surplus ] Description of the risk As at 31 March 2024, the net defined benefit surplus was £269m (2022/23 - £139m). The valuation of the Council’s net liabilities/assets includes use of discount rates, inflation rates, mortality rates etc., all of which should reflect the profile of the Council’s employees and other appropriate data. Due to the high degree of estimation uncertainty associated with the valuations, we have determined there is a significant risk in this area. How we addressed this risk We addressed this risk through: • challenging the reasonableness of the Actuary’s assumptions that underpin the relevant entries made in the financial statements; • critically assessing the competency, objectivity and independence of the Actuary; • liaising with the auditors of the Pension Fund to gain assurance that the overall IAS19 procedures and controls in place at the Pension Fund are operating effectively; • comparing assumptions to expected ranges; and • agreeing data in the Actuary’s valuation report for accounting purposes to the relevant accounting entries and disclosures in the Council’s financial statements. Audit conclusion Our work in this area is ongoing and there have been audit adjustments to the financial statements in respect of the asset ceiling, see Section 6.
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17 Significant findings (continued) Valuation of property] Description of the risk The Council held land and buildings (including council dwellings) with a net book value of £457 million at 31 March 2024 (2022-23 £451 million). The Council has adopted a rolling revaluation model which sees other land and buildings revalued over a five-year cycle. This may result in individual assets not being revalued for several years. This creates a risk that the carrying value of those assets that have been revalued in year is materially different from the year end fair value. Valuations are based on specialist and management assumptions and changes in these can result in material changes to valuations. Due to the high degree of estimation uncertainty associated with valuations, we have determined there is a significant risk in this area. How we addressed this risk We addressed this risk through: • assessing the scope and terms of engagement with the in-house Valuer; • assessing the competence, skills and objectivity of the in-house Valuer; • assessing how management use the in-house Valuer’s report to value land and buildings included in the financial statements; • testing the accuracy of the data used in valuations; • challenging the Council and in-house Valuer’s assumptions and judgements applied in the valuations; • reviewing the valuation methodology used, including the appropriateness of the valuation basis; • considering the reasonableness of the valuation by comparing the valuation output with market intelligence; • testing a sample of revaluations in the year, by agreeing the revaluations recorded in the Annual Accounts to the in-house valuer’s reports. As part of this testing, we checked whether the movements have been accounted for in accordance with the Code; • challenging management’s assessment for those assets not subject to valuation in the year; • for those valued on Existing Use Value on a market comparable basis, we checked market movements to assess the materiality of potential movement for 2023/24; and • for those valued on a Depreciated Replacement Cost basis, which would be impacted by changes in build costs during the year, we tested management’s analysis of changes in the Build Costs Information Service (BCIS) index and assessed any decisions management made in this regard. Audit conclusion Except for the work highlighted in section 2 of this report, our work in this area is substantially complete, and we do not expect to report any material issues for your attention. As this is a significant risk area, we have had detailed discussion with management and there has been additional audit focus on assumptions around indexation and inputs used in valuation such as property areas, in arriving at this conclusion.
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18 Significant findings (continued) Accounting for PFI and PPP contracts ] Description of the management judgement and enhanced risk The Council currently operates three Private Finance Initiative (PFI), or similar, contracts which are accounted for as Service Concession arrangements under IFRIC12 – Service Concession Arrangements. The Council has determined that in the case of the Schools NPDO contract and the new Schools DBFM contract, the Council has control over the services provided through use of the schools and that a qualifying asset has been created. Therefore, the assets are included on the Council’s Balance Sheet along with a finance lease liability. The Council also operates a Waste Management PPP contract. In this case the Council determined that a “qualifying asset” has not been created and that the Council does not have significant control over the services being provided. Therefore, the asset has not been included on the Council’s Balance Sheet and payments to the contractor are charged to the appropriate service line within the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Account. The method of accounting for PFI and PP assets can be complex and involves management judgement as set out in Note 3 to the financial statements. Therefore, there is a potential risk of material misstatement if the Council fails to appropriately account for these assets. How our audit addressed this area of management judgement We addressed this risk through: • reviewing the Council’s adopted approach for accounting for its PFI arrangements; • reviewing any changes from prior years to the long-term financial model used; • critically reviewing the assumptions made by management; and • assessing the completeness and accuracy of disclosures. Audit conclusion Our work has provided the assurance we sought in each of these areas and as at the time of this report has not highlighted any material unadjusted issues to bring to your attention.
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19 Significant findings (continued) Qualitative aspects of the Council's accounting practices We have reviewed the Council's accounting policies and disclosures and concluded they comply with the CIPFA/LASAAC Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24, as amended by the Update to the Code and Specifications for Future Codes for Infrastructure Assets, published in November 2022, appropriately tailored to the Council's circumstances. The Draft accounts were approved for issue by the Council on 27 June 2024. We reviewed the approved draft accounts, and they were of a good quality. Significant matters discussed with management During our audit we communicated the following significant matter to management: Audit of areas with Complex Accounting Estimates As outlined in the previous section, we discussed with management valuation of defined benefit liability/assets as this material item of account, includes several complex estimations and judgments. As part of our work, we obtained assurance from the pension fund auditor over the controls relating to the accuracy of data used by the actuary. The pension fund auditor, identified an understatement of private equity, debt infrastructure and direct portfolio assets in the Strathclyde Pension Fund annual accounts. We therefore quantified the potential impact on the Council, based on its share of pension assets included in the total pension fund assets. This resulted in an estimated unadjusted uncertainty totalling £3,295k, as included in section 6 of this report. From the work of the pension fund auditor, we also noted that although we requested assurance on benefits paid during the year no assurance was provided on this. We therefore performed alternative procedures by directly testing data obtained from the Pension Fund and identified a difference above our clearly trivial threshold but below our performance materiality between the benefits paid amount in the unaudited financial statements disclosure notes and that provided by the Pension Fund, which we challenged management on and received a satisfactory explanation hence have not included this in section 6 of this report. During the course of the audit we have had the full co-operation of management. Due to ongoing audit work, the Council was unable to meet the submission date of 30 September 2024, specified in the Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, for approval of its audited annual accounts. Forvis Mazars has discussed the implications of this with Audit Scotland who confirmed there are no consequences for the Council.
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20 Significant findings (continued) Wider responsibilities – statutory reporting The 1973 Act allows any persons interested to inspect the accounts to be audited and the underlying accounting records of the Council. The act also allows any persons interested to object to the accounts. No such objections have been raised. We are required to notify the Controller of Audit when circumstances indicate that a statutory report may be required. • Section 102(1) of the 1973 Act allows us to prepare a report to the Commission about the Council's accounts; matters that have arisen during the audit that should be brought to the attention of the public; or the performance of the Council in their duties relating to Best Value and community planning. • Section 102(3) of the 1973 Act allows us to make a special report to the Commission if an item of account is contrary to law; there has been a failure on someone’s part to bring into account a sum which ought to have been brought into account; a loss has been incurred or deficiency caused by the negligence or misconduct of a person, or by the failure of a body to carry out a duty imposed on them by any enactment; or a sum which ought to have been credited or debited to one account of a body has been credited or debited to another account and the body has not taken, or is not taking, steps to remedy the matter. • Section 97A of the 1973 Act allows us to undertake or promote comparative and other studies to make and publish recommendations for the securing by local government bodies of Best Value, improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of services by local government bodies and improving the financial or other management of local government bodies. Reporting to the NAO in respect of Whole of Government Accounts consolidation data The NAO, as group auditor, requires us to complete the WGA Assurance Statement in respect of its consolidation data. We will submit this information to the NAO upon completion of our audit.
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05Internal control conclusions
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22 Internal control conclusions Overview of engagement As part of our audit, we obtained an understanding of Council’s internal control environment and control activities relevant to the preparation of the financial statements, which was sufficient to plan our audit and determine the nature, timing, and extent of our audit procedures. Although our audit was not designed to express an opinion on the effectiveness of Council’s internal controls, we are required to communicate to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee any significant deficiencies in internal controls that we identified in during our audit. Deficiencies in internal control A deficiency in internal control exists if: • A control is designed, implemented, or operated in such a way that it is unable to prevent, detect, and/ or correct potential misstatements in the financial statements; or • A necessary control to prevent, detect, and/ or correct misstatements in the financial statements on a timely basis is missing The purpose of our audit was to express an opinion on the financial statements. As part of our audit, we have considered Council’s internal controls relevant to the preparation of the financial statements to design audit procedures to allow us to express an opinion on the financial statements, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Council’s internal controls or to identify any significant deficiencies in their design or operation. The matters reported in this section of our report are limited to those deficiencies and other control recommendations that we have identified during our normal audit procedures and which we consider to be of sufficient importance to merit being reported. If we had performed more extensive procedures on internal control, we might have identified more deficiencies to report or concluded that some of the reported deficiencies need not in fact have been reported. Our comments in this section should not be regarded as a comprehensive record of all deficiencies that may exist or improvements that could be made. The deficiencies Council’s internal controls that we have identified as at the date of this report are in set out on the following pages. Significant deficiencies in internal control A significant deficiency in internal control is one which, in our professional judgement, has the potential for financial loss, damage to reputation, or a loss of information which may have implications on the achievement of business strategic objectives. Our view is that observations categorised as a significant deficiency is of sufficient importance to merit the attention of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee. We have not identified any significant deficiencies in the Council’s internal controls as at the date of this report. Other observations We also record our observations on the Council’s internal controls where, in our professional judgement, there is a need to strengthen internal control or enhance business efficiency that do not constitute significant deficiencies in internal control but which we view as being important for consideration by management.
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23 Internal control conclusions (continued) Other observations (continued) Our other internal control observations, as at the date of this report, are set out in this section. These have been reported to management directly and have been included in this report for your information. Whether internal control observations merit attention by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee and/ or management is a matter of professional judgment, taking into account the risk of misstatement that may arise in the financial statements as a result of those observations. Other deficiencies in internal control In our view, there is a need to address the deficiencies in internal control set out in this section (which are not deemed to be significant deficiencies) to strengthen internal control or enhance business efficiency. Our recommendations should be actioned by management in the near future. Description of deficiency - Property Plant and Equipment Valuation Reconciliations – Brought Forward from Prior Year The Council has improved its reconciliations in regard to results of revaluation exercises and summaries in that it now prepares and maintains a file reconciling the results of the inhouse valuation process undertaken under Programme 1 and Programme 2 to the associated disclosure note in the financial statements. Nonetheless, there is scope to improve the reconciliations further by maintaining clear records on how area inputs are recorded as in some instances these details were difficult to agree to the underlying records. Potential effects The lack of this reconciliation contributed to making this audit area time consuming to reconcile the area values in the valuation reports with the underlying supporting documents for instance the maps and architects’ area schedules. This also led to additional requests being made during the audit process. Recommendation As regular practice, management should prepare and maintain a reconciliation of the results of any revaluation exercises conducted with the fixed asset registers/general ledger and maintain summaries that agree as appropriate including to the underlying supporting records such as maps and architects’ plans. Management response Council finance and property officers welcome the opportunity for continuous improvement and will consider these comments for future years, continuing to build on the process improvements already introduced in this area.
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24 Internal control conclusions (continued) Other recommendations on internal control In our view, internal control should be strengthened in these additional areas when practicable. Description of observation – Dormant/Inactive Bank Accounts We noted that the Argyll and Bute Council administers numerous bank accounts, several of which were dormant during the period. From our audit testing, it is not clear whether these accounts are actively monitored, due to the low level of activity in each. Potential effects Bank statements should be obtained and reconciliations performed for all bank accounts, including those with zero balances and little or no activity, by a member of the finance group who does not have access to withdraw from the accounts. These reconciliations should be independently reviewed by a person independent of the reconciliation process. Maintaining and monitoring dormant/inactive accounts uses resources that could be better used elsewhere and may present an opportunity for the account to be used for inappropriate or fraudulent purposes. Recommendation A review of open bank accounts should be carried out periodically to identify dormant accounts. Any accounts that are no longer required should be closed as soon as possible. Management response There is an operational requirement for the council to hold a range of bank accounts for treasury management purposes, in order to limit its exposure to credit or counter-party risk. The Creditworthiness approach, set out within the approved Annual Investment Strategy 2024/25, limits the level of investments held with any one counter-party (generally banks or financial institutions) or country. As such, the council requires sufficient flexibility to manage its day-to-day cashflow requirements, whilst having regard to the investment priorities of security, liquidity and return. The deals offered in the market by any given bank on any given day can vary and subsequent to satisfying, firstly the priority of security and then liquidity, the council would look to maximise the return on cash balances invested. Management does not consider the holding of bank accounts that have been dormant during the period to present an issue with the control environment, rather it is an operational necessity to provide flexibility to support the effective delivery of treasury management activities and compliance with the approved Investment Strategy.
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25 Internal control conclusions (continued) Other recommendations on internal control (continued) In our view, internal control should be strengthened in these additional areas when practicable. Description of observation – Inconsistency in Related Party Records Our testing on related parties identified that one Policy Lead for Health and Social Care is disclosed in the Senior Councillors Remuneration in the accounts but not on the website of the Council. Potential effects Inconsistent related party information could be misleading to users of the financial statements/members of the public who access the Council’s website for accountability. Recommendation Management should perform an exercise regularly to ensure that there is consistency of disclosure between the financial statements’ information and the Council website. Management response Management accepts that process improvements could be made to minimise the risk of any future discrepancies. Action will be taken to ensure that information is disclosed consistently between the annual accounts and the Council website, through performing regular reconciliations.
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26 Internal control conclusions (continued) Follow up on previous internal control points We set out below an update on internal control points raised in the prior year. Description of deficiency – Errors in Exit Packages Our testing of payroll identified one exit packages that had errors on the redundancy request forms and amounts per workings. The differences were likely due to the two information systems used by the Council that is the HR system and the redundancy forms which would have been signed prior to the member leaving. Potential effects Amounts paid out to former staff may be inaccurate and could lead to complaints and further action by affected staff and reputational risk for the Council. Recommendation Management should use one system (HR system) for the calculation of exit packages. 2023/24 update No significant matters noted in this regard in 2023/24.
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27 Internal control conclusions (continued) Follow up on previous internal control points (continued) Description of deficiency – Related Parties Declarations Our testing of payroll identified several Annual Declaration forms for the Councillors had not been signed and the form initially submitted for audit had no dates, signatures. As the audit progressed more forms were subsequently obtained and provided to us. Potential effects Councillors/management not acting in the best interest of Council or with conflicts of interest may not be identified in a timely manner. Recommendation Management should establish and improve the procedures around annual declaration forms for related party transactions and work closely with Councillors and other relevant related parties to ensure the declarations are appropriately completed and signed off, in a timely manner. 2023/24 update All the Annual Declaration Forms in 2023/24 were signed and contained the expected information. Resolved.
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06Summary of misstatements
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29 Summary of misstatements We set out below and on the following pages a summary of the misstatements we identified during our audit, above the trivial threshold for adjustment of £291k for the Council and £294k for its group. The first table in this section sets out the misstatements we identified which management has assessed as not being material, individually or in aggregate, to the financial statements and does not plan to adjust. The second table outlines the misstatements we identified that have been adjusted by management. Our overall materiality, performance materiality, and clearly trivial (reporting) threshold were reported in our Annual Audit Plan, issued on 24 May 2024. Any subsequent changes to those figures are set out in the section 3 of this report. We will issue a follow up letter to this report, should we need to report any issues arising from the work highlighted in section 2 of this report.
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30 Summary of misstatements Unadjusted misstatements Management has assessed the misstatements in the table below as not being material, individually or in aggregate, to the financial statements and does not plan to adjust. We only report to you unadjusted misstatements that are either material by nature or which exceed our reporting threshold. Details of adjustment CIES CIES Balance Sheet Balance Sheet Blank Dr (£ ‘000) Cr (£ ‘000) Dr (£ ‘000) Cr (£ ‘000) Dr: Pension Asset Cr: CIES Remeasurement of net defined liability/ (surplus) To adjust for an error identified by the Strathclyde Pension Fund external auditor, apportioned to the Council, due to the understatement of private equity, debt infrastructure and direct portfolio assets in the Strathclyde Pension Fund annual accounts. 3,297 3,297 Dr: Gross Expenditure Cr:Gross Income To adjust for an error on internal recharges which had not been adjusted for in the gross income and expenditure figures. 1,553 1,553 Aggregate effect of unadjusted misstatements 1,553 4,850 3,297 - We will obtain written representations confirming that, after considering the unadjusted misstatements, both individually and in aggregate, in the context of the financial statements taken as a whole, no adjustments are required.
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31 Summary of misstatements (continued) Adjusted misstatements The misstatements in the table below have been adjusted by management. We report all individual misstatements above our reporting threshold that we identify during our audit and which management had adjusted and any other misstatements we believe the Audit and Scrutiny Committee should be made aware of. Details of adjustment CIES CIES Balance Sheet Balance Sheet Blank Dr (£ ‘000) Cr (£ ‘000) Dr (£ ‘000) Cr (£ ‘000) Dr: Pension Reserve Cr: Pension Asset Cr: Pension Obligation To adjust for the effects of the asset ceiling which brings the balance on the balance sheet to £Nil value instead of the current value of £269,219k which had not considered the effects of the asset ceiling. 288,794 269,216 19,578 Aggregate effect of adjusted misstatements - - 288,794 288,794
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32 Summary of misstatements (continued) Disclosure misstatements We identified the following disclosure misstatements during our audit that have been corrected by management: • Remuneration report:- The Council has amended the employee's remuneration to include the taxable benefit values for the VIVUP (employee benefits platform) salary sacrifice scheme as result of the confirmations received relating to the Optional Remuneration Arrangements (OPRA) rules which states that the agreements include the employees tax liability. The Council changed the draft accounts and added 2 new personnel of the over £50k list and made changes for the 4 other employees on the list who moved to the next banding. • The amount originally disclosed for Note 15.2 relating to the rolling valuation programme increased by £3,514k following audit testing. • Note 27.2 Financial instruments was amended to increase the loans and receivables amount from £46,423k to £55,333k. Also updated the Charging Care Home Fees for consistency with related disclosures. • Note 29 Provisions and Management Commentary - disclosure narrative amended to elaborate on withheld sums. There were several other minor adjustments for disclosure, consistency or presentational issues made to the annual report and financial statements. We identified the following disclosure misstatements during our audit that have not been corrected by management: • The Statement of Cashflows was presented in a manner slightly inconsistent with established practice, in that the movements in operating cash flow were represented in the direction opposite to the expectation for example increase in debtors represented as a positive cash flow movement rather than negative. We will obtain written representations confirming that, after considering the unadjusted disclosure misstatements, both individually and in aggregate, in the context of the annual report and financial statements taken as a whole, no adjustments are required.
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07Wider scope
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Commentary on Wider Scope Overall Summary
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35 Commentary on Wider Scope Wider scope summary As auditors appointed by the Accounts Commission, our wider scope responsibilities are set out in the Code of Audit Practice 2021 and sits alongside Best Value requirements detailed in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The Code requirements broaden the scope of the 2023/24 audit and allow us to use a risk-based approach to report on our consideration of the Council’s performance of best value and community planning duties and make recommendations for improvement and, where appropriate, conclude on the Council’s performance. The Code’s wider scope framework is categorised into four areas: • financial management; • financial sustainability; • vision, leadership and governance; and • use of resources to improve outcomes. Overall summary by reporting criteria Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the remaining audit work, we have the following conclusions: Blank Reporting criteria Commentary page reference Identified risks? Actual risks identified? Other recommendations made? Financial management 38 No No No Financial sustainability 41 Yes – see risk 1 on page 42 No No Vision, leadership and governance 44 No No No Use of resources to improve outcomes 47 No No No
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Commentary on Wider Scope Financial management Financial management is concerned with financial capacity, sound budgetary processes and whether the control environment and internal controls are operating effectively.
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37 Financial management Significant Risks and our overall assessment We have not identified any significant risks in arrangements as part of our continuous planning procedures. Area assessed Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Financial management culture The Council has approved a Local Code of Corporate Governance. This sets out its commitment to achieving good governance. The Code covers how the Council will manage risks and its performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management. As reported in the prior year, the Council has a system of internal control which is designed to manage risk to a reasonable level. The Council has an established medium-term budget (MTFP) process which is designed to keep Members fully informed on changes to assumptions and pressures that affect future year estimates. The plan is updated on a regular basis and reported to each Policy and Resources Committee. The MTFP is part of a Strategic Planning Framework, and our work confirms that arrangements were in place that: link the financial plan to the Council’s objectives to ensure the priorities are delivered; scrutinise the MTFP; and record key assumptions with each savings plan being risk assessed. Our review of Policy and Resource Committee minutes provides assurance that the Council monitors and identifies mitigations to manage any changes in demand and assumptions in the MTFP. The Council also has an established risk management framework (risk matrix), with regular reviews and reporting to the Policy and Resources Committee. The Council has an appropriate financial management culture in place. It reviews its system of internal financial control annually. No significant issues identified.
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38 Financial management Area assessed Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Accountability Officers regularly presented financial performance reports to the Policy and Resources Committee during 2023/24 to update members on the Council’s position against budget and the progress of savings programmes. The reports provide sufficient detail for Council members to effectively scrutinise the Council’s finances. The officers presented the 2024/25 budget to the Council in February 2024. The budget included previously agreed savings of £93,000 in 2024/25, rising to £1.957m by 2028/29. In order to balance the budget, with a £10.167m budget gap forecast for 2024/25, the main measures employed by the Council include operational and policy cost savings across service areas and an inflationary increase to fees and charges. In response to the pressures on the capital programme, officers have reviewed the earmarked balances and have agreed to release a total of £2.212m. This release is intended to help address some of the shortfall in the capital programme. After cost adjustments, the total gap within the capital programme forecast at 2026/27 is £29.843m per the Budget outlook. The Council’s general fund reserves at 31 March 2023 were £86.4m. The Council has a policy of holding a minimum uncommitted balance of 2% of its budgeted annual net expenditure. There was a revised contingency of circa. £6m of free reserves per the budgeting pack for 2024/25 and the annual accounts. Using the final net expenditure for March 2024, this represents a balance which is over 2% of annual net expenditure. The Council has appropriate budget monitoring and reporting arrangements in place, with appropriate contingency funds in place in accordance with policies. No significant issues identified. Our overall assessment
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39 Financial management (Continued) Area assessed Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Arrangements to prevent and detect fraud, error and other irregularities, bribery and corruption The Council has established arrangements for preventing and detecting fraud and corruption. These include: • Whistleblowing policy • Anti-fraud strategy • Codes of conduct for councillors and officers. The Council has a dedicated counter-fraud team which sits within its internal audit function to investigate fraudulent claims covering tenancy, procurement, council tax reduction, Scottish Welfare Fund, social care, employee, insurance, council tax exemptions and discounts and blue badges. Individuals can report concerns by phone, email or through an online form on the Council’s website. In 2023/24 the Counter Fraud team reported to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee with quarterly updates. They reported on continuous monitoring activities including employee expense claims, with no significant issues or fraud incidents noted indicating any significant weakness in arrangements. The Council also takes part in the National Fraud Initiative (NFI). An NFI check was performed in the 2022/23 Financial year, with none being performed in 2023/24. The council was able to clear all 1,281 matches in the prior year, with zero frauds being identified. The Council has established staff polices including • Public interest disclosure policy; and • Code of Conduct, which is based on the Nolan Principles of Public Life. The Council has an in-house internal audit team. The Internal Audit Plan and Head of Internal Audit Report is reviewed by the Council’s Audit and Scrutiny Committee, with quarterly reports being provided, to determine the priorities of the internal audit activity, consistent with the Council’s goals. Internal audit updates show progress is on track and the council’s arrangements are deemed satisfactory. The Council has appropriate arrangements to prevent and detect fraud and corruption. No significant issues identified. Our overall assessment
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Commentary on Wider Scope Financial sustainability Financial sustainability looks forward to the medium and longer term to consider whether the body is planning effectively to continue to deliver its services or the way in which they should be delivered.
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41 Financial sustainability Significant risks We have outlined below the significant risks in arrangements that we have identified as part of our continuous planning procedures, and the work undertaken to respond to each of those risks. Blank Significant Risk in Arrangements Identified Work undertaken and the results of our work 1 Financial Sustainability Councils continue to face significant financial challenges with pressures on funding and increasing demand for services. Budget estimates after the revised assumptions in October 2024 give an anticipated in-year budget gap of £9.147m for 2025/26, rising to a cumulative budget gap of £28.565m by the end of 2029/30 based upon a ‘midrange’ scenario. The Council’s ‘worst case’ scenario highlights a potential £93.220m cumulative budget gap by the end of 2029/30. In common with many local authorities the estimated budget gaps, highlighted in the Council’s analysis represent a potential risk in relation to financial sustainability, which could on the future provision of services in the Council’s area. Work undertaken We reviewed the Council’s: • medium to long term financial strategy; • financial position and track record in delivering planned recurrent and non-recurrent savings in 2023/24; • financial performance in 2023/24 and updates to its financial planning during the year, including the implications for general reserves balances; • regular reporting to members on financial performance, savings plans and financial risks; and • progress in developing plans to address future year budget gaps. Results of our work Our review of minutes and supporting papers has confirmed medium-term financial planning arrangements have remained in place in 2023/24. In our assessment, we have considered the prior budget outlook, covering 2023/24- 2027/28, and the updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) from the Policy and Resource Committee meeting in August 2024, covering 2025/26-2029/30. We have considered the Council’s performance in delivering it’s MTFP, including any identified saving targets. Savings targets were set in the February 2024 committee meeting. However, the Council does not have a dedicated savings plan document, these are only drawn up at the operational level although they do not feed into a larger, aggregated savings plan. We recommend that the Council implements a ‘savings plan’ document which tracks a range of saving options to ensure effective monitoring and decision making can take place. As in the previous year, we have confirmed that there has been regular monitoring of the Council’s financial position throughout the year, which included arrangements to routinely update the MTFP, enabling the Council to respond to any identified financial challenges during the life of the plan. In addition, quarterly performance reports for four area committees within Argyll & Bute are reported to the Policy and Resources Committee.
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42 Financial sustainability Significant risks - continued Blank Significant Risk in Arrangements Identified Work undertaken and the results of our work 1 Results of our work In June 2024, the 2023/24 Revenue Outturn Report presented to the Council highlighted a net overspend of £1.0 million (Excluding Loans Fund) against the net budget, representing 0.42% of the net budget. We have considered the Council’s performance in delivering its savings targets within the context of the MTFP and we recognise saving plans are an ongoing and iterative process, developed by officers and agreed by Members based on the latest information. The savings target for 2023/24 was £9.348 million from 20 savings options. Of this, the council achieved 97.9% of the savings totalling £9.152 million. Savings options totalling £4.194 million were included in the Budget Update report presented to the Policy and Resources Committee on 7 December 2023. These savings have been refined, and additional savings options have been identified, bringing the overall value of savings options to £4.974 million in the 2024/25 budget, which is 1.6% of the £311.468 million budgeted expenditure requirement for 2024/25. Our review of the MTFPs issued over the current reporting period, provides assurance that forecasts are based on prudent assumptions including the Council’s latest understanding of future government funding arrangements, local revenue assumptions, service demand and other costs pressures. Arrangements for identifying and delivering savings include a timetable for consultation with stakeholders ahead of approval before each financial year. The Council is not forecasting the use of reserves to support the delivery of a balanced budget; and we note the Council’s level of reserves do allow some flexibility, with a 2% General Fund contingency in place. Useable reserves have increased from £93.775m at 31 March 2023 to £121.701m at 31 March 2024. These reserves provide some mitigation against future financial challenges; however, the use of reserves cannot be relied on to provide a long-term solution to funding gaps. Therefore, all future income streams need to be considered in detail by the Council to mitigate future challenges, including reviewing Council Tax raising powers. We also note the plan is predicated by the application of £2m from the Strathclyde Pension Fund reduction in rates in 2024/25 and by the amount in both 2025-26 and 2026-27. In October 2024, the Council reported its financial position as at 31 August 2024/25, confirming it has achieved 84% (£5.431 million) of its saving total (£6.466 million).
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43 Financial sustainability Significant risks - continued Blank Significant Risk in Arrangements Identified Work undertaken and the results of our work 1 Results of our work The net capital expenditure for 2023-24 amounted to £37.860m, exceeding the annual budget of £33.166m. This budget was adjusted during the year to account for previously agreed slippages, accelerations, and virements. Consequently, there was a year-end overspend of £4.694m, representing 14.15%. The main ongoing projects are the Helensburgh Waterfront, Dunoon STEM Hub and CHORD Rothesay, with a combined overspend on these projects of £5.854m. While we recognise there is some uncertainty in the financial position of the Council, consistent with the overall situation of other entities in the Public Sector, our work did not identify any evidence to indicate a significant weakness in the Council’s arrangements to mitigate these risks.
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44 Financial sustainability (continued) Our overall assessment Area assessed Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Financial planning Officers present four financial updates a year to Council meetings. These provide an update on the financial challenges facing the Council and estimated revenue budget gaps under best case, worst case and mid-range scenarios. Scenarios are based on financial planning assumptions that are updated by officers on an ongoing basis. The Council faces a very challenging financial position. Its mid-range case scenario from the Budgeting pack for 2024/25, after some assumptions on future years options, but before the 2024/25 budget was approved, projects the following in-year budget gaps: £6.583 million in 2025/26 £5.550 million in 2026/27 £3.858 million in 2027/28 £5.200 million in 2028/29 In order to mitigate the above, the Council regularly communicates with the Scottish Government to secure funding and also performs regular budget setting annually, with cost savings being presented to the Policy & Resource Committee. The Council established a cross-party budget working group to ensure that there is early engagement and consensus on budget proposals. The Council previously approved a Council Tax increase of 10% for Argyll and Bute area for 2024/25 to enable sustainability of provision of services but after consideration froze Council tax in line with the Scottish Government’s Council Tax freeze direction and support. The Council faces challenges in delivering its capital programme due to a reduction in General Capital Grant settlement, as it has fallen by £3.428 million in annual funding from total funding of £12.262 million in 2019-20. After cost adjustments, the total gap within the capital programme forecast out to 2026/27 is £29.843m. To address this, among the mitigation measures the Council considers periodically is deferral of capital spending. The Council has effective financial planning, with an established process to ensure there is early engagement with relevant stakeholders on budget proposals. Councillors and officers should continue working together to make the difficult decisions to respond to the Council’s challenging financial position. The Council should also continue to make efforts to collect all outstanding taxes due. No significant issues identified.
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Commentary on Wider Scope Vision, leadership and governance Vision, Leadership and Governance is concerned with the effectiveness of scrutiny and governance arrangements, leadership and decision making, and transparent reporting of financial and performance information.
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46 Vision, leadership and governance Significant risks and our overall assessment We have identified one significant risks in arrangements as part of our continuous planning procedures. Area assessed Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Clarity of plans to implement the vision The Council adopted its Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027, known as the Corporate Plan. This sets a clear vision and key commitments for the Council over the period. The Council’s priorities for 2023 to 2027 are categorised under the themes of: • Education; • Roads, Amenities and Infrastructure; • Potential and Growth - turning opportunities into reality; and • Partnership and Action - everyone has a part to play in Argyll and Bute's success. We note that the Strategic plan along with other policy documents are undergoing revision due to a change in leadership following a successful political challenge to the previous administration. These are yet to be released. Several reviews are planned and scheduled to be completed prior to March 2025, and these should consider any changes in strategic direction. The Corporate Plan sets a vision for the Council for the four-year period. This focuses on working with residents, communities, and businesses to deliver the best possible services and targeting resources to those most in need. These are reported within the Council Annual Report in the form of Corporate outcome indicators across seven areas. This report is yet to be released for 2023/24, although for 2022/23 a total of 39 Indicators were above target or on track out of a total of 47 outcome indicators and from discussions with management a similar outcome is expected in 2023/24. The Council’s leadership should ensure that any revisions to the Corporate Plan maintain the clarity of vision, and that these changes are communicated effectively for understanding of staff across the Council for effective implementation. One risk has been identified relating to the adoption of new corporate plan along with other strategic documents such as a performance improvement framework. There is a risk that future strategic documents will be inconsistent with other related policy documents, adversely impacting the clarity of the Council's vision.
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47 Vision, leadership and governance Significant risks and our overall assessment We have identified one significant risks in arrangements as part of our continuous planning procedures. Area assessed Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Strategy and priorities The Council has described what success will look like for each of its objectives within the Corporate Plan, including measures of success for each priority and setting out key commitments. Details on activity, for each financial year, against the Council priorities will be set out in a new Annual Business Plan. This new document replaces the former annual Service Plans to bring more focus and scrutiny on the delivery and performance of the organisation against its priorities. This has been developed and linked to other documents such as the workforce plan and operational workforce plans. The Corporate Plan measures are based on improving key performance indicators over the four years of the plan. Services are responsible for setting targets for these measures in delivery plans and regularly monitoring and reporting progress. The Council makes use of equality impact assessments in any key decisions that may change service delivery and impact communities or employees. The council considers 'Fairer Scotland Duty' implications in each paper brought to the Full council or Policy and Resource committee. This includes considering the impact of decisions/ events on equality and socio-economic factors. The Corporate Plan sets out objectives, measures of success and key commitments under each priority. The Council has considered equality outcomes and socio-economic impacts regarding key decisions. No significant issues identified.
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48 Vision, leadership and governance (continued) Our overall assessment (continued) Area assessed Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Governance arrangements The Council’s governance arrangements are centred on Council meetings, service committees and the Audit and Scrutiny Committee. Council and Audit and Scrutiny Committee meetings are well attended by councillors and papers are subject to a good level of scrutiny. Council and committee meeting papers and minutes are available on the Council’s website and meetings are open to the public. Deputations can be heard at meetings of the Council and its principal committees. In addition, the Council Area Committees have a standing agenda item for Public Questions to be put and answered. The Council has appropriate governance arrangements in place. We found evidence of effective scrutiny and challenge, and transparent decision making at Council and Audit Committee meetings. No significant issues identified. Financial and performance information Officers present regular financial updates and budgetary control reports to Council meetings. The budgetary control reports provide an update on the general services revenue budget and the Council’s capital programme. These reports include additional information on budget variances and updates on the progress of agreed savings. The Council reports progress against delivery plans to councillors through its service committees. These reports show the performance of each service against its performance indicator targets and progress in delivering agreed actions. The Council provides councillors with sufficient information to allow effective scrutiny of its finances and performance. The Council’s annual performance report is clearly presented and accessible. No significant issues identified.
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Commentary on Wider Scope Use of resources to improve outcomes Audited bodies need to make best use of their resources to meet stated outcomes and improvement objectives, through effective planning and working with strategic partners and communities. This includes demonstrating economy, efficiency, and effectiveness through the use of financial and other resources and reporting performance against outcomes.
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50 Use of resources to improve outcomes Significant risks and our overall assessment We have not identified any significant risks in arrangements as part of our continuous planning procedures. Area assessed Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Resources deployed to improve strategic outcomes The Council has a workforce planning process in place. It covers the strategic and team specific levels. This includes a risk matrix to identify areas of priority. Workforce issues appear on risk registers where appropriate and action plans are also in place. The strategic workforce plan is being integrated into the new people strategy to create a single delivery plan. Strategic priorities are subject to change due to new leadership and upcoming publication of new corporate plan and Performance Excellence Project scheduled for March 2025 implementation. The Council’s resource plans are aligned with the Corporate Plan. It can demonstrate budget decisions which reflected its strategic priorities in 2023/24 and reflects its strategic priorities in 2024/25. No significant issues identified.
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51 Use of resources to improve outcomes (continued) Our overall assessment (Continued) Area assessed Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Needs of service users being met The Council’s delivery plans set out how it will achieve its strategic priorities. There is a Council-wide annual business plan as opposed to individual service delivery plans. Within this, the Council consults with stakeholders including the Scottish Government to maximise funding, for 2023/24 this included an action to secure Home Energy Efficiency Programmes Scotland (HEEPS) funding for council led schemes. The Council also utilises local contractors for development works and involve residents and other stakeholders in the design and consultation process, an example of this was the Tobermory wall and rails. The Annual Business Plan sets out the strategic priorities for all services and demonstrates how they align with the Council’s priorities and the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan. The Council, through its Annual Business Plan, has identified how services will contribute to achievement of its strategic priorities and objectives. The Council consults regularly with service users to understand how it can meet their needs. No significant issues identified. Arrangements to deliver continuous improvements in priority services The Council’s corporate plan sets clear objectives and highlights the services it plans to prioritise. This plan measures are based on improving key performance indicators over the four years of the plan. Service lines are responsible for setting targets for these measures in delivery plans and regularly monitoring and reporting progress. This is done as part of the budget setting process and the savings updates presented to the Audit and Scrutiny committee. For instance, the Budgeting pack for 2024/25 was taken to Council in Feb 24. This includes an example of a Savings options for various service delivery areas. The relevant service leader provides commentary on potential savings options with associated risks and mitigating factors. The Council has clear priorities and suitable arrangements in place to measure improvement. The Council is looking at opportunities to make efficiencies through service innovation. No significant issues identified.
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08Best Value
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53 Best Value Best Value summary Under the Code of Audit Practice, the audit of Best Value is fully integrated within our annual audit work. We are required to assess the seven Best Value themes at the Council over the period of the audit appointment. We have used a risk-based approach that is proportionate to the size and type of the body, to assess whether the Council has made proper arrangements for securing Best Value and is complying with its community planning duties. We have also followed up on previously reported Best Value findings and have assessed the pace and depth of improvement implemented by the Council. At least once every five years, the Controller of Audit will report to the Accounts Commission on the Council’s performance in meeting its Best Value duties. We conduct thematic reviews as directed by the Accounts Commission. In 2023/24 this will be about workforce innovation. The Council is not included in the second year of the programme which runs from October 2023 to August 2024. Performance Audit and Best Value staff also prepare a report for the Controller of Audit using information and judgements on the pace and depth of continuous improvement reported in this Annual Audit Report. The Council is not included in the first year of the programme which runs from October 2023 to August 2024. At the planning stage of the audit, we undertook work to understand the arrangements that the Council has in place under each of the reporting criteria and we considered whether there were any risks to our audit in those arrangements. We have kept our understanding of arrangements under review and updated our risk assessment throughout the audit to reflect emerging issues that may suggest significant risks in arrangements exist. The following slides outline the work that we have undertaken for each of the seven Best Value themes and any improvements or risks in arrangements that have been identified as part of our assessment. We have reported recommendations for the risks identified.
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54 Best Value (continued) Overall summary by reporting criteria From the satisfactory conclusion of our audit work, we have the following conclusions: Blank Reporting criteria Commentary page reference Identified risks? Actual risks identified? Other recommendations made? Best Value 57 No No No Effectiveness of performance reporting 60 No Yes – see page 56 Yes – see page 56 Thematic reviews 62 No No No Statutory Performance Indicators 67 No No No
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55 Best Value (continued) Significant risks and our overall assessment of the Best Value themes We have not identified any significant risks in arrangements as part of our continuous planning procedures. Best Value theme Our findings Our judgements Service improvement considerations Risks identified Vision and leadership Our 2023/24 wider scope work considered: • How clear is the new Council vision and its priorities? • Overall, how effective has the leadership been (political and officer) in setting clear priorities and a sustainable approach to delivering them? See page 48. The Council has a clear vision with three outward facing priorities and one inward looking. The Council needs to maintain effective leadership to continue to achieve its priorities and to make the difficult decisions to respond to its challenging financial position. The Council needs to revisit its Corporate Plan in line with the new political leadership having assumed office in 2024. None identified. No significant issues identified.
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56 Best Value (continued) Our overall assessment of the Best Value themes (continued) Best Value theme Our findings Our judgements Service improvement considerations Risks identified Governance and accountability Our 2023/24 wider scope work considered: • Whether the Council can demonstrate that its governance arrangements are appropriate and operating effectively? • Is there evidence of effective scrutiny, challenge and transparency on decision making at governance committees? See page 40. The Council has appropriate governance arrangements in place. We found evidence of effective scrutiny and challenge, and transparent decision making at Council and Audit Committee meetings. None identified. No significant issues identified. Effective use of resources Our 2023/24 wider scope work considered: • How good are the delivery plans and is there alignment of financial, workforce, asset and digital plans with the Council’s priorities? See Page 52. The Council’s annual business plans, and workforce and digital strategies are aligned with its corporate plan. It can demonstrate 2023/24 budget decisions which reflected its strategic priorities. None identified. No significant issues identified. Partnerships and collaborative working Our 2023/24 Best Value Thematic work considered: • In what areas the council has implemented shared services with other councils and partners? • To what extent the council delivers functions through its communities, the third sector, private sector or other providers? See Page 52. The council participates in joint training and service delivery alongside other local government bodies, in addition to a joint transformation programme with SOLACE. The council also collaborates and delivers services via its subsidiary, LiveArgyll. None identified. No significant issues identified.
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57 Best Value (continued) Our overall assessment of the Best Value themes (continued) Best Value theme Our findings Our judgements Service improvement considerations Risks identified Working with communities Our 2023/24 wider scope work considered: • How effectively have the views of citizens and communities been reflected in the priorities and decisions taken by the Council? See Page 53. The Council knows it needs to work effectively with citizens and communities to achieve its strategic objectives. Community budgeting and participatory budgeting are two ways it is involving local people in decision making. Equality and Social-economic surveys also involve communities in the decision- making process for changes to service delivery. None identified. No significant issues identified. Sustainability We did not assess this theme in 2023/24 N/A N/A N/A Fairness and equality Our 2023/24 wider scope work considered: • Do strategic plans demonstrate a clear approach to improving inequality outcomes? See Page 48. Actions to reduce inequalities underpin the Council’s priorities and objectives. The Council is focussing on providing support to communities affecting by the cost-of-living crisis. None identified. No significant issues identified.
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58 Best Value (continued) Effectiveness of performance reporting Effective performance management arrangements should be in place to promote the effective use of the local authority’s resources. Performance is systematically measured across all areas of activity, and performance reports are regularly scrutinised by managers and elected members. The performance management system is effective in addressing areas of underperformance, identifying the scope for improvement and agreeing remedial action. We have outlined below a summary of what the Council is reporting in relation to service performance including the Council’s assessment of progress against its service priority measures and reporting on its relative performance (from the Local Government Benchmarking Framework and other information used locally). Effectiveness of performance reporting theme Our findings Our judgements Our conclusions Risks identified Effective performance management The Council uses the Performance Improvement Framework (PIF) to ensure performance is integral to the work of Council and is linked to the strategic corporate plan and overarching mission of the council. As a result of the elections and newly appointed administration, there are several changes anticipated to the strategic plans including a new corporate plan and priorities, and a revised performance improvement framework. The Council continue to pursue performance improvement activities and are in the process of reviewing the approach to self-assessment. As part of this, A template has been developed to evaluate the Council's performance in relation to meeting corporate objectives and key performance indicators, cost of delivering services and customer satisfaction. The Council issues Quarterly Area Committee Performance Reports, looking at performance in the four administrative areas across the Council. Each of the Area Committee performance reports directly link and assess Corporate outcomes laid out in the corporate plan, showing clear links to overall strategy with comparisons, status trackers and targets vs actuals. A template has been developed to evaluate the Council's performance in relation to meeting corporate objectives and key performance indicators, cost of delivering services and customer satisfaction. However, this is yet to be fully implemented. It is not clear from review of the Corporate plan and other strategic documents that clear KPIs have been implemented and are regularly monitored to assess the effectiveness of performance. We recommend that the Council ensure new strategic plans and documents interlink and contain clear KPIs that can be used in regular reviews by Those Charged With Governance (TCWG) to assess internal performance. There is a risk that the performance within the Council is not reliably monitored, and internal or external threats may not be identified or mitigated.
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59 Best Value (continued) Effectiveness of performance reporting (continued) Improvement plans reflect a pace and depth of improvement that will lead to the realisation of the local authority’s priorities and the long-term sustainability of services. The Council should demonstrate a trend of improvement over time in delivering its strategic priorities. We have outlined below our assessment on whether the Council can demonstrate a trend of improvement over time in delivering its priorities. Effectiveness of performance reporting theme Our findings Our judgements Our conclusions Risks identified Improvement plans The recent elections and change in administration of the Council has meant that there are planned changes to key policy and strategy documents other than the improvement plans, including the strategic corporate plan. The previous Corporate Improvement Plan (CIP) ended in 2022, and a new CIP is currently being developed as part of the Performance Excellence Project. The Council continued to report progress on its BV Action plan to Audit and Scrutiny Committee (ASC). This new plan will align with the Corporate Plan and support the new Council priorities which we expect will be brought forward by the new Administration in autumn 2024. Progress is reported annually to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee, for example in March 2024 the Corporate Improvement Plan Updated was presented to the ASC, highlighting continuous improvement activities including the Chief Executive’s Connect for Success Change Programme-Connect for Success-My Council Works that sets the strategic thematic goals for corporate improvement activities. There is currently a large gap between the prior improvement plan which came to an end in 2022 and implementation of an updated version, which has yet to be published. It will be implemented during the 2024/25 year. This represents a two- year gap in a Corporate improvement plan, which is detrimental to the council's ability to set and monitor its Strategic goals against KPI’s over time. As there are no clear KPIs assessed over time the pace and depth of improvements are difficult to determine. We recommend that the Council ensures the CIP is implemented in a timely manner. We also suggest that there are links to workforce planning and other key strategy documents to ensure coherency across the Council. There is a risk that the Council is unable to accurately track progress towards the Connect for Success themes as there is no finalised Improvement plan in place. It is difficult to assess whether improvements are being made, and the Council may not be able to identify areas that are falling behind in either pace or depth.
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60 Best Value (continued) Thematic reviews The Accounts Commission reports nationally on thematic aspects of local government bodies’ approaches to, and performance in, meeting their Best Value and community planning duties. As appointed auditors of the Council we are required to report on Best Value and related thematic work as prescribed by the Accounts Commission. For the thematic work in 2023/24, we are required to carry out an overview of workforce innovation. As part of this review, we are required to report on the areas documented in the table below. The full thematic review report for the Council can be found on Audit Scotland’s Website. Thematic themes Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Workforce strategy and priorities The council has implemented an up-to-date people strategy, containing 5 key strategic themes with a focus on attracting and retaining talent. A strategic workforce plan is in place till 2028 demonstrating a medium-term outlook on potential threats. At the operational level, workforce planning is performed at the managerial level which is beneficial as greater insights into resourcing can be achieved from first-hand experience in the day-to-day operations of the council. The 'connect for success' model included within the corporate plan is linked to the People Strategy, where each commitment is linked to a 'Connect for Success' theme. There is a clear attempt to link resourcing with the needs of the council per the corporate plan. A medium-term outlook up until 2028 demonstrates reasonable consideration for the future, although the new leadership and upcoming changes to key strategy documents such as the corporate plan further necessitate regular monitoring and reviews of the workforce plans to ensure they are consistent with the council's overall corporate plan. There is a risk surrounding the implementation of the updated corporate plan and that it might not link to the existing workforce strategy and the Medium- term Budget outlook and financial plans. The council should ensure that regular reviews and monitoring of workforce plans are performed so it is consistently aligned with the overall strategy of the council.
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61 Best Value (continued) Thematic reviews (continued) Equality and Socio-Economic Impact Assessments | Argyll and Bute Council Equality and Socio-Economic Impact Assessments | Argyll and Bute Council Thematic themes Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Digital technology and the workforce The council has taken advantage of digital technology to enhance productivity and reduce burden on human resources, for instance the council implemented collaborated with Education Services to digitalise and streamline registration and enrolment. This is to be further enhanced in 2024/25 with robotic updates via an integration into the SEEMIS Education system. The council was selected to participate in the National Records of Scotland paperless registration service, highlighting the Council's willingness to embrace digital transformation. Cost savings have also been realised through recurring reduced mileage being claimed due to continued homeworking and flexible working policies which were implemented in recent years. We are satisfied with the steps being taken to improve productivity and efficiency through digital technology and implementation of new software/ data management systems. We have confirmed that the Council engage staff and communities when changing service delivery, considering the impact of digital exclusion and service accessibility. This is done through Equality and Socio-economic Impact Assessments (EQSIA) – available on the public domain on the councils website: Equality and Socio-Economic Impact Assessments | Argyll and Bute Council. No significant issues identified. Flexible working and other innovative staff deployment The Council released a Hybrid and Flexible work policy in the 23/24 Financial year. Flexible working arrangements have been in place within the council for several years and the policy around this is continually reviewed and updated to reflect changes in services and the environment. The council has gathered feedback from Trade union and employee feedback discussions and are undertaking a first-year review of the Flexible working policy, scheduled for release in December 2024. The Council does not participate in the 4-day working week and we consider this appropriate due to the nature of the services being provided and continued reliance on its operation by taxpayers and service users. The outcomes from the flexible working policy review should be assessed and integrated going forward. We would recommend that regular monitoring of this is performed, beyond this first-year review. We are satisfied with the current steps being taken and note this as a point forward to consider in 24/25 once the review is finalised. No significant issues identified.
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62 Best Value (continued) Thematic reviews (continued) Thematic themes Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Developing future skills and capacity The strategic workforce plan references reducing the budget for the workforce in the long term, with the utilisation of technology compensating for the reduced human resource. The ‘Growing Our own’ (GOO) framework was implemented to ensure future recruitment into the council, it is a tool available to managers to support a pipeline of talent into the workforce. It includes development via Work Experience, Student Sponsorship, Trainees, Apprenticeships etc. The council is appropriately considering the balance between temporary and permanent staff, and the increased costs that come along with a higher ratio of temporary staff compared to permanent. Confirmed the Council is developing the capability of its workforce and is implementing modern agile work policies to enhance the capacity and skills of its workforce whilst also allocating them to specific areas. Reviews are planned to take place in the upcoming year before March 2025. We would look to revisit these in 2024/25 to determine results of these surveys and managements response. No significant issues identified.
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63 Best Value (continued) Thematic reviews (continued) Thematic themes Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Joint workforce arrangements across services and partners The Council participates in joint training and service delivery alongside other local government bodies in Scotland. The council is also involved in a joint transformation programme with SOLACE which aims to transition local government to a new service delivery model. The council delivers reciprocal training between all councils, with qualified coaches delivering these sessions. This encourages strengthening of working relationships between local government. Workforce trends outlined in the Strategic Workforce Planning Priorities show that temporary and casual staff have increased in recent years at around 16% of the workforce. Additionally, 60% of temporary staff leave before the end of their contract. This is being addressed in the Agile workforce plan, which aims to bring in greater hybrid/ flexible working arrangements promote more permanent positions. The Council should consider how it can improve employee retention and reduce the 60% of temporary staff ending their contract early. A high turnover and tendency for agency recruitment may lead to higher costs and reduced quality of services. The Agile Workforce plan is still in its early phase and as such we cannot determine how effective these working arrangements will be in changing the workforce trends. . The Council has plans to monitor and review the plans and these are scheduled alongside their review of the Hybrid and Flexible working policy, which is to be done annually at present. Yes – Risk identified relating to the increase in temporary and casual staff alongside high turnover rate before contracts end, in specific, hard to recruit service areas.
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64 Best Value (continued) Thematic reviews (continued) Thematic themes Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Measuring the impact of workforce planning Workforce planning actions laid out in the workforce planning risk matrix are monitored regularly on a quarterly basis. Operational line managers raise key concerns and suggestions which are taken to a workforce planning risk matrix. The council has several reviews targeted for completion within the 24/25 Financial year, these include: - A review of Flexible working policy - Regular quarterly reviews of Health of the Organisation ( HOO) reports - A review of the impact of the Council’s AB365 programme is underway - A Digital skills survey is to be repeated before March 2025 These contain key metrics and quantitative statistics for the chosen department/ Directorate compared to the council as a whole. Confirmed HOO Reports are used to monitor and inform workforce planning, with a section in the report relating to the delivery of a workforce plan. Council’s approach to workforce planning is actively being updated based on feedback to ensure that regular tracking of actions can be achieved. We will follow-up on these reviews in the following financial year once they have been completed. No significant issues noted.
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65 Best Value (continued) Statutory Performance Indicators We are required to report on the Council’s effectiveness and appropriateness of arrangements in place for complying with the Direction issued in December 2021, including the balance and timeliness of reporting to members along with its accessibility for citizens and communities. The table below details our overall assessment of the Council’s statutory performance indicators arrangements: Council Annual Reports | Argyll and Bute Council Council’s arrangements Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Statutory Performance Indicator 1: Improving local services and local outcomes Statutory Performance Indicator (SPI) 1 requires a council to report its performance in improving local public services and progress against agreed desired outcomes The Council’s website includes a section with information to help the public measure its performance. The website contains details on the nature of reports prepared and the frequency of preparation. It also contains links to strategic and area committee reports, as well as annual performance reports and the customer service charter and annual audit reports. The Council reports progress against its annual business plan to councillors. Progress is reported semi-annually to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee, and quarterly to Area Committees. On an annual basis, an annual performance review is undertaken by each service and an annual performance report is prepared and presented to the Council. For the 2023/24 financial year this is scheduled to be published in December 2024, as such information has not yet been released for 23/24. The prior year report can be found with others online: Council Annual Reports | Argyll and Bute Council. The Council has appropriate arrangements in place for complying with SPI 1. No significant issues identified.
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66 Best Value (continued) Statutory Performance Indicators We are required to report on the Council’s effectiveness and appropriateness of arrangements in place for complying with the Direction issued in December 2021, including the balance and timeliness of reporting to members along with its accessibility for citizens and communities. The table below details our overall assessment of the Council’s statutory performance indicators arrangements: Best Value 3 Report | Argyll and Bute Council Best Value 3 Report | Argyll and Bute Council Council’s arrangements Our findings Our judgements Risks identified Statutory Performance Indicator 2: Demonstrating Best Value SPI 2 requires a council to report its own assessment and audit, scrutiny and inspection body assessments of how it is performing against its duty of Best Value, and how it has responded to these assessments. The Council’s website includes a section on quarterly and annual reporting, which includes links to external audit reports. The Council’s website also includes its action plans in response to assessments made by audit, scrutiny and inspection bodies within the performance and improvement section of the website, for example its action plan on the previous Best Value Report 2020, which can be found online at: Best Value 3 Report | Argyll and Bute Council. The Council is compliant with SPI 2, as audit reports and assessments of the council are attached and accessible to the public on their website. No significant issues identified.
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Appendices A: Draft management representation letter B: Draft audit report C: Confirmation of our independence D: Other communications E: Wider scope and Best Value ratings
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68 Appendix A: Draft management representation letter Mark Outterside Forvis Mazars The Corner Bank Chambers 26 Mosley Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1DF DD/MM/2024 Dear Mark Argyll and Bute Council - Audit for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 This representation letter is provided in connection with your audit of the financial statements of Argyll and Bute Council (the Council) and its group for the year ended 31 March 2024 for the purpose of expressing an opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view in accordance with the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code). I confirm that the following representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience (and, where appropriate, inspection of supporting documentation) sufficient to satisfy myself that I can properly make each of the following representations to you. My responsibility for the financial statements and accounting information I believe that I have fulfilled my responsibilities for the true and fair presentation and preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code). My responsibility to provide and disclose relevant information I have provided you with: • access to all information of which I am aware that is relevant to the preparation of the financial statements such as records, documentation and other material; • additional information that you have requested from us for the purpose of the audit; and • unrestricted access to individuals within the Council you determined it was necessary to contact in order to obtain audit evidence. I confirm as Section 95 Officer that I have taken all the necessary steps to make me aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that you, as auditors, are aware of this information. As far as I am aware there is no relevant audit information of which you, as auditors, are unaware. Accounting records I confirm that all transactions undertaken by the Council have been properly recorded in the accounting records and are reflected in the financial statements. All other records and related information, including minutes of all management and Board meetings, have been made available to you.
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69 Appendix A: Draft management representation letter Accounting policies I confirm that I have reviewed the accounting policies applied during the year in accordance with International Accounting Standard 8 and consider these policies to faithfully represent the effects of transactions, other events or conditions on the Council’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Accounting estimates, including those measured at fair value I confirm that the methods, significant assumptions and the data used by the Council in making the accounting estimates, including those measured at fair value are appropriate to achieve recognition, measurement or disclosure that is in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework. Contingencies There are no material contingent losses including pending or potential litigation that should be accrued where: • information presently available indicates that it is probable that an asset has been impaired, or a liability had been incurred at the balance sheet date; and • the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. There are no material contingent losses that should be disclosed where, although either or both the conditions specified above are not met, there is a reasonable possibility that a loss, or a loss greater than that accrued, may have been incurred at the balance sheet date. There are no contingent gains which should be disclosed. All material matters, including unasserted claims, that may result in litigation against the Council have been brought to your attention. All known actual or possible litigation and claims whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements have been disclosed to you and accounted for and disclosed in accordance with the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code). Laws and regulations I confirm that I have disclosed to you all those events of which I are aware which involve known or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations, together with the actual or contingent consequences which may arise therefrom. We have complied with all aspects of contractual agreements that would have a material effect on the accounts in the event of non-compliance.
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70 Appendix A: Draft management representation letter Fraud and error I acknowledge my responsibility as Section 95 Officer for the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control to prevent and detect fraud and error. I have disclosed to you: • all the results of my assessment of the risk that the financial statements may be materially misstated as a result of fraud; • all knowledge of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the Council involving: ▪management and those charged with governance; ▪employees who have significant roles in internal control; and ▪others where fraud could have a material effect on the financial statements. I have disclosed to you all information in relation to any allegations of fraud, or suspected fraud, affecting the Council's financial statements communicated by employees, former employees, analysts, regulators or others. Related party transactions I confirm that all related party relationships, transactions and balances, have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in accordance with the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code). I have disclosed to you the identity of the Council’s related parties and all related party relationships and transactions of which I are aware. Future commitments I am not aware of any plans, intentions or commitments that may materially affect the carrying value or classification of assets and liabilities or give rise to additional liabilities. Ultimate parent company I confirm that the ultimate parent company for Argyll and Bute Council and its Group is the Scottish Government. Other Matters I confirm in relation to the following matters that: • COVID-19 – I have assessed the continued impact of the COVID-19 Virus pandemic on the Council and the financial statements and those of the Group, including the impact of mitigation measures and uncertainties, and am satisfied that the financial statements and supporting notes fairly reflect that assessment. • Ukraine – I confirm that I have carried out an assessment of the potential impact of the continued conflict in Ukraine on the Council and its Group and there is no significant impact on the Council’s operations from restrictions or sanctions in place. • RAAC – I confirm the Council has assessed the potential impact of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete on the Council, and whether there are indications of a need for an impairment of the Council’s property, plant and equipment balances. I confirm there are no such indications of impairment in those assets. Going concern To the best of my knowledge there is nothing to indicate that the Council and its Group will not continue as a going concern in the foreseeable future. The period to which I have paid particular attention in assessing the appropriateness of the going concern basis is not less than twelve months from the date of approval of the accounts.
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71 Appendix A: Draft management representation letter Performance related allocations I confirm that I am not aware of any reason why the Council’s funding allocation limits would be changed. Subsequent events I confirm all events subsequent to the date of the financial statements and for which the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code), require adjustment or disclosure have been adjusted or disclosed. Should further material events occur after the date of this letter which may necessitate revision of the figures included in the financial statements or inclusion of a note thereto, I will advise you accordingly. Annual Governance Statement I am satisfied that the Annual Governance Statement fairly reflects the Council and its Group's risk assurance and governance framework, and I confirm that I am not aware of any significant risks that are not disclosed within the Annual Governance Statement. Annual Report The disclosures within the Annual Report and the Remuneration Report fairly reflect my understanding of the Council and its Group’s financial and operating performance over the period covered by the financial statements. Unadjusted misstatements I confirm that the effects of the unadjusted misstatements are immaterial, both individually and in aggregate, to the financial statements as a whole. Yours sincerely Kirsty Flanagan Section 95 Officer
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72 Appendix B: Draft audit report Independent auditor’s report to the members of Argyll and Bute Council and the Accounts Commission Report on the audit of the financial statements Opinion on the financial statements We certify that we have audited the financial statements in the annual accounts of Argyll and Bute Council and its group for the year ended 31 March 2024 under Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The financial statements comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Movement in Reserves, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies, the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure, the Group Balance Sheet, the Group Statement of Movement in Reserves, the Group Cash Flow Statement and notes to the group financial statements, including material accounting policy information. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code). In our opinion the accompanying financial statements: • give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Council and its group as at 31 March 2024 and of its income and expenditure of the Council and its group for the year then ended; • have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the 2023/24 Code; and • have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)), as required by the Code of Audit Practice approved by the Accounts Commission for Scotland. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We were appointed by the Accounts Commission on 18 May 2022. Our period of appointment is five years, covering 2022/23 to 2026/27. We are independent of the Council and its group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. Non-audit services prohibited by the Ethical Standard were not provided to the Council and its group. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern basis of accounting We have concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Council and its group’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. These conclusions are not intended to, nor do they, provide assurance on the Council and its group’s current or future financial sustainability. However, we report on the Council’s arrangements for financial sustainability in a separate Annual Audit Report available from the Audit Scotland website. Risks of material misstatement We report in our Annual Audit Report the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement that we identified and our judgements thereon.
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73 Appendix B: Draft audit report Responsibilities of the Section 95 Officer and the Audit and Scrutiny Committee for the financial statements As explained more fully in the Statement of Responsibilities, the Section 95 Officer is responsible for the preparation of financial statements, that give a true and fair view in accordance with the financial reporting framework, and for such internal control as the Section 95 Officer determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Section 95 Officer is responsible for assessing each year the Council and its group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless there is an intention to discontinue the operations of the Council and its group. The Audit and Scrutiny Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial reporting process. Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities outlined above to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Procedures include: • using our understanding of the local government sector to identify that the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 are significant in the context of the Council and its group; • inquiring of the Section 95 Officer as to other laws or regulations that may be expected to have a fundamental effect on the Council and its group; • inquiring of the Section 95 Officer concerning the Council’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework; • discussions among our audit team on the susceptibility of the financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur; and • considering whether the audit team collectively has the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is affected by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the Council and its group’s controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud are inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error as fraud may involve collusion, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. The capability of the audit to detect fraud and other irregularities depends on factors such as the skilfulness of the perpetrator, the frequency and extent of manipulation, the degree of collusion involved, the relative size of individual amounts manipulated, and the seniority of those individuals involved. A further description of the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
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74 Appendix B: Draft audit report Reporting on other requirements Opinion prescribed by the Accounts Commission on the audited parts of the Remuneration Report We have audited the parts of the Remuneration Report described as audited. In our opinion, the audited parts of the Remuneration Report have been properly prepared in accordance with The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014. Other information The Section 95 Officer is responsible for the other information in the annual accounts. The other information comprises the Management Commentary, Annual Governance Statement, Statement of Responsibilities and the unaudited part of the Remuneration Report. Our responsibility is to read all the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon except on the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement to the extent explicitly stated in the following opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission. Opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission on the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: • the information given in the Management Commentary for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with statutory guidance issued under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003; and • the information given in the Annual Governance Statement for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with the Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework (2016). Matters on which we are required to report by exception We are required by the Accounts Commission to report to you if, in our opinion: • adequate accounting records have not been kept; or • the financial statements and the audited part of the Remuneration Report are not in agreement with the accounting records; or • we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.
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75 Appendix B: Draft audit report Conclusions on wider scope responsibilities In addition to our responsibilities for the annual accounts, our conclusions on the wider scope responsibilities specified in the Code of Audit Practice, including those in respect of Best Value, are set out in our Annual Audit Report. Use of our report This report is made solely to the parties to whom it is addressed in accordance with Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and for no other purpose. In accordance with paragraph 108 of the Code of Audit Practice, we do not undertake to have responsibilities to members or officers, in their individual capacities, or to third parties. Mark Outterside For and on behalf of Forvis Mazars LLP Forvis Mazars LLP 26 Mosley Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1DF XXXX December 2024
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76 Appendix C: Confirmation of our independence We communicate any matters which we believe may have a bearing on our independence or the objectivity of Forvis Mazars LLP and the audit team. As part of our ongoing risk assessment, we monitor our relationships with you to identify any new actual or perceived threats to our independence within the regulatory or professional requirements governing us as your auditors. We confirm that no new threats to independence have been identified since issuing our Annual Audit Plan and therefore we remain independent.
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77 Appendix C: Confirmation of our independence (continued) Fees for work as the Council’s auditor We reported our proposed fees for the delivery of our work under the Code of Audit Practice in our Annual Audit Plan presented to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee in June 2024. Having substantially completed our work for the 2023/24 financial year, we can confirm that our fees are as follows: Area of work 2023/24 fees 2022/23 fees Auditor remuneration £251,690 £237,440 Pooled costs £9,170 £0 Contribution to PABV costs £63,850 £57,770 Audit support costs £0 £9,000 Sectoral cap adjustment (£110) (£2,030) Additional fees in respect of testing required to reflect the transition to a new ledger in 2022/23 0 £4,225 Total fees £324,600 £310,465 Fees for other work We confirm that we have not undertaken any non-audit services for the Council in the year. Fees for audit of Charitable Trusts The audit fee in table above does not include the cost of auditing the Council’s 7 Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) registered charitable trusts. We propose setting a fee for the audit of these of £9,000 (2022/23 fees were £6,500). Services provided to other entities within the Council's group In addition, to auditing the Council’s 7 charitable trusts mentioned above, we are providing audit services to the following entities in the Council's group: • Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board (total fee of £33,360) • Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Valuation Joint Board (total fee of £9,320). • Live Argyll (total fee of £18,200)
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78 Appendix D: Other communications Blank Other communication Response Compliance with Laws and Regulations We have not identified any significant matters involving actual or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations. We will obtain written representations from management that all known instances of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations whose effects should be considered when preparing financial statements have been disclosed. External confirmations We did not experience any issues with respect to obtaining external confirmations. Related parties We did not identify any significant matters relating to the audit of related parties. We will obtain written representations from management confirming that: a. they have disclosed to us the identity of related parties and all the related party relationships and transactions of which they are aware; and b. they have appropriately accounted for and disclosed such relationships and transactions in accordance with the requirements of the applicable financial reporting framework. Going Concern We have not identified any evidence to cause us to disagree with the Section 95 Officer that the Council will be a going concern, and therefore we have not identified any evidence to cause us to consider that the use of the going concern assumption in preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate. We will obtain written representations from management, confirming that all relevant information covering a period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements has been taken into account in assessing the appropriateness of the going concern basis of preparation of the financial statements.
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79 Appendix D: Other communications (continued) Blank Other communication Response Subsequent events We are required to obtain evidence about whether events occurring between the date of the financial statements and the date of the auditor’s report that require adjustment of, or disclosure in, the financial statements are appropriately reflected in those financial statements in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework. We will obtain written representations from management that all events occurring subsequent to the date of the financial statements and for which the applicable financial reporting framework requires adjustment or disclosure have been adjusted or disclosed. Matters related to fraud We have designed our audit approach to obtain reasonable assurance whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement due to fraud. In addition, we have assessed the adequacy of the Council’s arrangements for preventing and detecting fraud or other irregularities as part of the wider scope audit and concluded that they are sufficiently designed and implemented. We will obtain written representations from management, and where appropriate the Audit and Scrutiny Committee, confirming that: a) they acknowledge their responsibility for the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control to prevent and detect fraud; b) they have disclosed to the auditor the results of management’s assessment of the risk that the financial statements may be materially misstated as a result of fraud; c) they have disclosed to the auditor their knowledge of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the entity involving: i. Management; ii. Employees who have significant roles in internal control; or iii. Others where the fraud could have a material effect on the financial statements; and d) they have disclosed to the auditor their knowledge of any allegations of fraud, or suspected fraud, affecting the entity’s financial statements communicated by employees, former employees, analysts, regulators or others.
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80 Appendix D: Other communications (continued) Blank Other communication Response National Fraud Initiative The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) in Scotland is a counter-fraud exercise led by Audit Scotland and overseen by the UK’s Cabinet Office, designed to prevent and detect fraud. The NFI uses data analytics to compare information held on individual by different public bodies to highlight the existence of fraud or error. The Council has received matches for investigation in 2023 which are required to be investigated by 30 September 2023. We have monitored the Council’s participation and progress during the 2023/24 audit. During the 22/23 NFI exercise, the Council received a total of 48 reports containing 1,783 matches. Using a risk-based approach, the Council investigated 71.8% of the matches. A further 2,557 matches were made within council tax registers that form the basis of the Council Tax recheck and related work carried out by the Councils Counter Fraud Team on the back of the NFI matching in this area. The 22/23 investigation continued beyond 30 September 2023 therefore we continued to monitor the Council’s participation and progress during 2023/24 and found that 1,188 of the matches identified were cleared, with 93 data errors.
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81 Appendix E: Wider scope and Best Value ratings We need to gather sufficient evidence to support our commentary on the Council’s arrangements and to identify and report on any risks. We will carry out more detailed work where we identify significant risks. Where significant risks are identified we will report these to the Council and make recommendations for improvement. In addition to local risks, we consider challenges that are impacting the public sector as a whole. We have assigned priority rankings to each of the risks identified to reflect the importance that we consider each poses to your organisation and, hence, our recommendation in terms of the urgency of required action. The table below describes the meaning behind each rating that we have awarded to each wider scope area based on the work we have performed. Rating Description Level 1 The identified risk and/or significant deficiency is critical to the business processes or the achievement of business strategic objectives. There is potential for financial loss, damage to reputation or loss of information. The recommendation should be taken into consideration by management immediately. Level 2 The identified risk and/or significant deficiency may impact on individual objectives or business processes. The audited body should implement the recommendation to strengthen internal controls or enhance business efficiency. The recommendations should be actioned in the near future. Level 3 The identified risk and/or significant deficiency is an area for improvement or less significant. In our view, the audited body should action the recommendation, but management do not need to prioritise.
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Contact Forvis Mazars www.auditregister.org.uk Forvis Mazars LLP is the UK firm of Forvis Mazars Global, a leading global professional services network. Forvis Mazars LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC308299 and with its registered office at 30 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7AU. Registered to carry on audit work in the UK by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. Details about our audit registration can be viewed at www.auditregister.org.uk under reference number C001139861. VAT number: GB 839 8356 73 © Forvis Mazars 2024. All rights reserved. Contact information Mark Outterside Audit Director Tel: +44 191 383 6339 mark.outterside@mazars.com
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Argyll and Bute Council Comhairle Earra Ghàidheal agus Bhòid Audited Annual Accounts For the year ended 31 March 2024 Appendix 3
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FRONT COVER PICTURE: HELENSBURGH WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
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LANGUAGE OPTIONS If you would like this document in another language or format, or if you require the services of an interpreter, please contact us. Financial Services Argyll and Bute Council Kilmory Lochgilphead Argyll PA31 8RT Tel: 01546 605522
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ANNUAL ACCOUNTS CONTENTS www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ________________________________________________ Page 1 Page Management Commentary 4-26 Statement of Responsibilities for the Annual Accounts 27 Annual Governance Statement 28-41 The Remuneration Report 42-50 Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 51-52 Balance Sheet 53-54 Statement of Movement in Reserves – Movement in 2023-24 55-56 Statement of Movement in Reserves – Comparative Movement in 2022-23 57-58 Cash Flow Statement 59 Notes to the Financial Statements (See Page 2-3) 60-124 Council Tax Income Account 125 Notes to the Council Tax Income Account 126 Non Domestic Rate Income Account 127 Notes to the Non Domestic Rate Income Account 128 Group Accounts - Introduction 129 Group Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 130 Group Balance Sheet 131-132 Group Statement of Movement in Reserves – Movement in 2023-24 133 Group Statement of Movement in Reserves – Comparative Movement 2022-23 Group Cash Flow Statement 134 135 Notes to the Group Financial Statements 136-140 Independent Auditors Report 141-144 Glossary of Terms Appendix A: Trade Union Facility Time Statement 2023-24 145-146 147-148
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Notes to the Financial Statements Contents www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ________________________________________________ Page 2 P Note No Page 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies 60-73 2 Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted 73 3 Critical Judgements in Applying Accounting Policies 73-74 4 Assumptions Made About the Future and Other Major Sources of Estimation Uncertainty 74-76 5 Expenditure and Funding Analysis 77-80 6 General Fund Reserves 81-82 7 Supplementary Notes to the Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 83-84 8 Other Operating Income and Expenditure 84 9 Agency Services 84 10 Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 85 11 Fees Payable to External Auditors 85 12 Waste Management Public Private Partnership 86 13 Grant Income 86 14 Related Parties 87-88 15 Property, Plant and Equipment 89-94 16 Heritage Assets 94 17 Intangible Assets 95 18 Investment Property 96 19 Schools Built under Public Private Partnership Contracts (PPP) 96-99 20 Operating Leases 100 21 Finance Leases 100-101 22 Long Term Debtors 102 23 Debtors 102 24 Assets Held for Sale 103 25 Cash and Cash Equivalents 103 26 Creditors 104 27 Financial Instruments Disclosures 104-107 28 Other Liabilities 108
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Notes to the Financial Statements Contents www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 3 Note No Page 29 Provisions 108-109 30 Capital Grants Received in Advance 109 31 Defined Benefit Pension Schemes 110-117 32 Unusable Reserves 117-118 33 Usable Reserves 118-119 34 Contingent Liabilities 119-120 35 Termination Benefits 120 36 Trust Funds and Other Third Party Funds 121 37 Common Good Funds 121-122 38 Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) Projects 122 39 Cash Flow Statement – Operating Activities 123 40 Cash Flow Statement – Investing Activities 123 41 Cash Flow Statement – Financing Activities 124
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 4 1. INTRODUCTION Welcome to the financial statements for Argyll and Bute Council and its group for the year ended 31 March 2024. The statements have been compiled in accordance with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (the Code). This commentary outlines the key messages regarding the performance of the Council over the 2023-24 financial year as well as providing an indication of risks and issues which may impact upon the Council in the future. 2. PROFILE OF ARGYLL AND BUTE COUNCIL The report starts with outlining some key facts about Argyll and Bute.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 5 3. VISION AND PRIORITIES The Council has a new 5 year Corporate Plan for the period 2023-2027 and also an Annual Business Plan. This new document replaces the former annual Service Plans to bring more focus and scrutiny on the delivery and performance of the organisation against its priorities. This delivers on the recommendation in our Best Value Audit to make the link between priorities and performance clearer. The Council’s vision is: We have a vision for a successful, vibrant Argyll and Bute with a growing population and a thriving economy. A place where people want to come to live, to work and to do business as a result of action to combat and reverse decline. We see the potential for thriving local economies that support our rich mix of remote, rural and island communities. Communities which also benefit from services that work –
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 6 where we make the best use of all of our resources so that our core business as a council is as effective as possible. We want Argyll and Bute’s communities to be on a level playing field with others around the country – that is why we will campaign for equity for our communities on issues like fair funding, coping with challenges like the cost of living, and securing digital access and physical access to other opportunities. We will do our utmost to ensure that local voices and needs are taken into account in national decision- making. We recognise that the cost of living crisis will affect countless households in Argyll and Bute. We want to play a part in responding to that and mitigating the impact on our communities’ overall wellbeing and future success. We see our council and our communities working together in playing our part and making our contributions to wider priorities like climate change, economic growth, strong local governance and more – using our strong track record in partnership working, at all levels, to secure the best possible outcomes. Our Priorities for the Council Term 2022 to 2027 are shaped around delivering this vision for Argyll and Bute, our people, our success and our future. At the Council meeting on 25 April 2024 there was a change in political management arrangements and therefore a new Corporate Plan for the period 2024-2028 will be prepared and presented to Council with updated priorities during 2024-25. Details on activity, for each financial year, against the Council priorities will be set out in a new Council Annual Business Plan which will also be presented to Council at the same time. The Argyll and Bute Community Planning Partnership (CPP) brings together local public services with communities they service, and provides a focus for partnership working that targets specific local circumstances. Partners work together to improve local services and to ensure that they meet the needs of local people, especially those who need the services most. The Argyll and Bute Outcome Improvement Plan has been in place for the last 10 years and had six key outcomes: • Our economy is diverse and thriving • We have an infrastructure that supports sustainable growth, • Education skills and training maximise opportunities for all, • Children and young people have the best possible start, • People live active, healthier and independent lives, • People will live in safe and stronger communities. The Argyll and Bute CPP has completed its community engagement on identifying the priorities for the next 10 years (2024 – 2034) and these are: 1. Transport Infrastructure, 2. Housing, 3. Community Wellbeing. Argyll and Bute Council will continue to be a leading partner in the partnership and ensure that the priorities of the CPP and the Council are aligned.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 7 Some of our achievements, and the challenges we faced, in relation to the Council’s agreed Corporate Outcomes are highlighted below. Our economy is diverse and thriving Ardrishaig North Public Realm Project It was a long term aspiration of local residents and community organisations in Ardrishaig to see spaces be made more attractive including provision of better space for community events, improvements to the car parks and upgrading of the paths and landscaping. As part of an ambitious capital regeneration programme to help stimulate further public and private sector investment, works within Ardrishaig began in August 2022 and were certified as complete during 2023-24. These works included: • A new lochside viewing area with additional seating and art work; • Alterations to the north car park including an expansion of disabled parking; • New artwork on the canal embankment; • Reconfiguration of the memorial garden to include new seating areas, picnic benches and a path; • Improved accessibility for the Argyll Sea Kayak Trail making it easier for kayakers to go between Loch Fyne and the Crinan Canal; We have an infrastructure that supports sustainable growth Developing Infrastructure for Drones In 2023, the Council won the COSLA Excellence Award for innovation due to its work developing infrastructure and service change by using drones. The Council worked with Skyports (an international drone company) to develop a deliverable school meal delivery system using drone technology. This culminated in a successful pilot flight, which delivered school meals from Oban Airport to Lochnell Primary School, enabling proof of concept to be delivered. Argyll and Bute’s island and remote schools can often struggle to recruit catering staff and travel times to supply perishable goods can be long using roads and ferries. Drones potentially offer a low carbon and quicker alternative to traditional transport. Planning permission has now been granted to establish a permanent Oban Drone Facility to enable commercial deliveries in the area, with schools meals continuing to be a pilot test subject.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 8 Funding has now been secured to establish this and the project is a component part of development of a new business park at Oban Airport. This will be the first permanent Drone Facility in the UK. This ensures that it is a sustainable delivery mechanism for the school meals and other service in the future. The Council has also been awarded £250K from the Regulator’s Pioneer Fund for the development of the UAV logistics hub, based at Oban Airport, to serve the islands, building on the pilot approach. Weather Incident During October 2023 Argyll and Bute suffered extensive storm damage and a major incident was declared within the Council area. The flooding resulted in substantial damage to bridges and a number of landslides which disrupted the roads network and cut off some areas altogether. Transport connections in and out of Argyll and Bute were severely compromised and for a period of time all of the trunk roads and many of the local roads were impassible. A number of helicopter evacuations took place and reception centres were set up in the immediate aftermath. This incident was unprecedented and every effort was made to re-open roads when safe to do so however some routes required more considerable remedial action. Works carried out were extensive with dozens of locations requiring attention from simple cleansing of a small drain to significant landslides requiring temporary roads to be created and full bridge replacements. Furthermore, to ensure all children in the impacted areas were able to attend school transport via boat was arranged. Road Safety Improvements During 2023-24 the Councils Network and Standards team secured £0.270m of funding from the National Road Safety Improvement Fund. This has allowed a number of safety improvements to our roads and footways including: • Village gateways at Clynder, Kilcreggan, Rosneath and Garelochhead including coloured surfacing at access points and speed roundels.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 9 • Two new sections of footway at School Street, Bowmore with improved drainage, road markings and street lighting. • Carriageway widening and footway construction at Millpark Road, Oban including improvements to drainage, road markings and street lighting. • Provision of new footway in Taynuilt resulting in a safe route for school children to utilise. Education skills and training maximise opportunities for all Inclusion and Equality Argyll and Bute Council is investing more than £1.7 million over the next few years to establish four new Learning Centres in its schools so that children and young people with more complex Additional Support Needs (ASN) can benefit from enhanced and specialist support. This decision means that the Council will create dedicated primary Learning Centre provision in south Kintyre, cross-sector provision on Mull and Islay, as well as an additional Learning Centre targeted at secondary learners in Helensburgh and Lomond. The new Learning Centres at Castlehill Primary and Islay High School are scheduled to open in August 2024. The new facilities will include: • Breakout quiet rooms • Low stimulus and high stimulus sensory rooms • Changing facilities with specialist equipment to meet specific physical needs • Accessible teaching and outdoor spaces This development offers an exciting new opportunity for staffing as well. The teachers will work as part of a team to support children with severe and complex learning needs and/or complex medical/health needs. An important part of their role will involve planning and delivering individualised/elaborated curricula for children with a wide range of needs. Working with colleagues in other establishments and partner agencies will form an important part of their role too. ASN Assistants will also be recruited in the coming months to support teaching staff based in the new Learning Centre to deliver individualised/elaborated curricula and help the children and young people to develop vital life-skills. The new Learning Centres will support all learners to achieve their potential right here in Argyll and Bute.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 10 Care Experienced Children and Young People (CECYP) The Care Experienced Education Team (CEET) team were part of the Developing the Young Workforce Conference and attended alongside our care experienced Vice Chair of the Corporate Parenting Board along with some of our Oban based care experienced young people. We delivered a Raising Awareness session to approximately 120 delegates to discuss how to support a care experienced young person in the workplace. Feedback collated to date has been positive with some employers indicating a commitment to action. Following a successful application, the Virtual School for CECYP has received a £1000 Award from the Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) 10th Anniversary Legacy School Awards Scheme. This will be used to support a new initiative for care experienced young people moving schools. Each CECYP person who moves school, within the authority or joins from out with the authority, will receive an ‘Always Belong’ box of resources. This project will begin in the 2024 – 25 academic year by listening to our current CECYP suggestions of what should be in the box. To date, we remain at zero care experienced children and young people excluded in this academic year. This can be attributed to a robust exclusion policy, an ongoing commitment from staff across our settings and a clear vision of inclusion from senior leaders across our Education Service. The Care Experience Education Team and Argyll and Bute Councils Chief Officers Group both achieved the We Promise Award being the first team in Scotland and first senior Council team in Scotland respectively to achieve this award. MCR Pathways In session 2023/24, the MCR Pathways Programme was established in three Argyll and Bute secondary schools: Hermitage Academy, Dunoon Grammar School and Oban High School. This programme addresses the gap in life-chances and educational outcomes, between care experienced young people and their peers through a school- based mentoring programme. An MCR Pathways Co-ordinator was appointed in each school. Each school contributed £12,000 to the overall cost of Co-ordinator recruitment (£35,309 per school, including on-costs), with the remainder being sourced internally by the Education Service. All other central costs for the running of the programme (around £28,000 per school) were covered by Scottish Government funding. Such government funding is secure until the end of the 2025/26 session for the three above schools which commenced the MCR Pathways programme in August 2023. In year 1, the MCR Pathways programme in all three schools has been highly successful, with all targets met or exceeded, and positive feedback provided by young people, mentors, Co-ordinators and MCR Pathways. Discussion with MCR Pathways has confirmed the possibility of expanding the MCR Pathways Programme to a further three schools in 2024/25: Rothesay Joint Campus, Lochgilphead Joint Campus and Campbeltown Grammar School.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 11 Children and young people have the best possible start Childcare provision Our delivery trial of purchase-able childcare for working parents in some remote and rural communities, continues to support new parents return to work. On Bute, where an acute lack of childcare affected a growing number of parents return to work after childbirth, this provision is now being permanently delivered, as a result of building renovations to the Joint Campus. In its early stages, this provision will support increasing numbers of the islands parents engage in work or training opportunities, supporting the economic sustainability of young families Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) The second annual DYW Argyll & Bute Conference took place in May, in the Corran Halls, Oban. The purpose of the conference was to promote and celebrate the range of agencies and partnerships participating in preparing young people for the world of work, and the scope of activities and initiatives involved in doing so. This year’s conference had a particular focus on meeting the needs of and providing opportunities for the young people who need them most. The day itself involved around 100 delegates made up of Education colleagues, Community Learning and Development, Skills Development Scotland, employers, Third Sector partners and other agencies and organisations contributing to the DYW agenda across Argyll & Bute. Key elements of the conference included presentations from Who Cares? Scotland, Inspiralba, and a series of interactive workshops for delegates to take part in. The highlight of the day for many was the contributions from young people who were able to address first-hand how delegates could improve further their offering for young people across the region. The day culminated in a keynote speech from the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Graeme Dey MSP. Feedback from the event has been overwhelmingly positive with plans already being made for next year. People Live Active Healthier and Independent Lives Active Travel App In 2023/24, through funding from Smarter Choices Smarter Places, Argyll and Bute Council worked with the Heart of Argyll Wildlife Organisation and Aerial Digital to create a walking and cycling app for Mid Argyll. The app ‘Discover Dalriada Mid Argyll’ has been downloaded more than 250 times since its launch in April 2024. The app is designed to encourage people to get out and explore the Mid Argyll area through a series of self-guided walking, wheeling and cycling trails with each trail highlighting and providing additional information on a range of points of interest that can be seen along the trail.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 12 The app also includes an ‘Eye Spy’ fun family challenge game. The Discover Dalriada Mid Argyll app is the latest in a series of active travel apps that have been developed over recent years and there are now active travel apps for: • Campbeltown • Dunoon • Helensburgh • Mid-Argyll • Oban • Rothesay Food for Thought Two schools were successful in Food for Thought grants. Gigha pupils planted and harvested their own produce and also used the grant to set up poultry farming (hens). Their produce is being used within school and community. Additional workshops for families were provided by a nutritionist to develop community knowledge of healthy recipes with locally available, affordable produce. A further session was provided for the community with the Gigha Foodies Group which allowed everyone on the island to access the knowledge of a professional nutritionist to help plan and make simple yet nutritious meals with ingredients which can be grown locally/purchased affordably. Funds in Ardrishaig have supported the purchase and use of gardening resources and materials to develop growth of food on school grounds. This is being used to learn about healthy eating and supports the sale of school-produce within the local community. People will live in safer and stronger communities Mentors In Violence Prevention (MVP) The Mentors In Violence Prevention (MVP) programme has continued to be developed across our secondary schools. The Programme is a mentor based programme that addresses gender based violence. This work continues to be an important part of the Violence Against Women and Girls Project. In November 23, a further 17 staff were trained, including partner agencies. This has increased engaged schools from 3 to 7. This exceeds our target for school engagement within our development plan. The work continues to bring together engagement from partners such as Police Scotland and Argyll & Bute Rape Crisis. Our aim for the next academic session would be to ensure engagement across all secondary schools and build capacity within our training team.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 13 4. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE 2023-24 The Council has a robust financial reporting framework in place and a comprehensive monitoring pack is prepared and presented to every Policy and Resources Committee. This includes reports on the revenue budget, capital plan, financial risks, treasury monitoring, reserves and balances and delivery of any previously agreed savings. The financial framework is shown on the left. Revenue: Outturn against Budget The performance against budget for financial year 2023-24, after adjusting for automatic and proposed earmarked reserve proposals, was an overall underspend of £1.728m, 0.55% as summarised in the table below. (The corresponding position for 2022-23 was an underspend of £3.273m, 1.06%.) 2023-24 Final Revenue Budget Outturn Actuals Budget Variance Percentage Adjusted for Automatic Earmarkings (Overspend) Underspend £000 £000 £000 % Chief Executive's Unit 1,155 1,161 6 0.53% Executive Director (Douglas Hendry) 139,308 139,999 691 0.49% Executive Director (Kirsty Flanagan) 58,610 57,258 (1,352) (2.36%) Weather related incident costs (not covered by Bellwin Scheme) 839 0 (839) 0.0% Joint Boards 1,319 1,396 77 5.56% Other 11,584 11,584 0 0.0% Service Concessions (40,869) (40,489) 380 (0.94%) Social Work 77,605 77,605 0 0.0% Net Expenditure 249,551 248,514 (1,037) (0.42%) Total Funding 314,827 314,794 33 0.01% OVERSPEND PRIOR TO LOANS FUND (1,004) (0.32%) Loans Fund 8,615 14,547 5,932 40.78% UNDERSPEND BEFORE EARMARKINGS 4,928 1.57% Proposed Unspent Budget Earmarking Proposals (3,200) UNDERSPEND AFTER PROPOSED EARMARKINGS 1,728 0.55%
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 14 Within the Chief Executive’s Unit (Community Planning) there was a small underspend resulting within travel codes due to staff travel costs coming in under budget due to increased digital working and less face to face meetings. Within the remit of Executive Director Douglas Hendry (Education, Legal and Regulatory Services and Commercial Services), there was an overall underspend due to: • Receipt of one-off historic water rate refunds. • Staffing underspends due to delays in recruitment and staffing underspends within Cleaning, Early Learning and Childcare and Legal and Regulatory Support. • Underspends within the Scheme of Devolved School Management where previous carry forwards were not fully utilised. Within the remit of Executive Director Kirsty Flanagan (Roads and Infrastructure, Development and Economic Growth, Customer Support Services and Financial Services) there was an overall overspend due to: • Reduction in income within Piers and Harbours • Additional fleet costs across the service • Increased staff costs for Pupil Transport • An unrealised Depot saving • Increased electricity costs for street lighting • Additional Car Parking maintenance costs • Reduction in TRO income in Roads. There were also costs relating to a significant weather incident that occurred during 2023-24 that could not be claimed through the Scottish Government’s Bellwin scheme which resulted in an overspend. Social Work, managed by the Health and Social Care Partnership, reported an overspend of £0.165m as a result of ongoing demand for older people care services, both residential and non-residential. Per CIPFA/LASAAC Guidance in prior years an earmarking relating to the HSCP was recognised as a creditor on the Council’s balance sheet making the funds available to Social Work to spend in future years, therefore this over spend has been drawn down from the creditor balance. There is a favourable year-end position in relation to Council Tax of which was due to Council Tax debt recovery after court summons being higher than anticipated. There was an underspend within the Loans Fund due to a number of reasons but largely as a result of effective Treasury Management which saw increased levels of interest received on investments combined with reduced borrowing costs which resulted in an improved position in excess of £3m compared to previous year. Significant slippage in the capital programme in 2022-23 resulted in lower principal repayments in 2023-24 than anticipated and there was also a one-off gain of £0.870m as a result of a discount received on the early repayment of loans. In 2023-24 the Council adopted the financial flexibility introduced by the Scottish Government relating to two service concession contracts for NPDO and DBFM schools which allowed the associated borrowing to be accounted for over the life of the asset as opposed to the life of the contract (see note 6.2 for further detail). This resulted in a one-off retrospective gain of £36.038m and gain in 2023-24 of £4.831m. As part of the 2024-25 budget setting process Council agreed to transfer £0.380m from the Service Concessions gain to the General Fund hence there is an underspend in 2023-24 relating to this that will increase the General Fund.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 15 The overall favourable position for Departmental and Central Expenditure Budgets due to the underspend within the Loans Fund has provided the opportunity to earmark unspent budget for specific purposes aligned to the objectives, priorities and targets of the Council. Delivery of 2023-24 Agreed Savings The Council has been required to make significant budget savings for a number of years in order to ensure it responds to continued funding reductions, rising cost pressures and complies with its statutory requirement to set a balanced budget whilst meeting the needs of local residents. Budget savings of £9.348m (20 saving options) were agreed for 2023-24. These, and savings agreed in previous years which had to be delivered in 2023-24 totalling £0.031m (3 saving options), were monitored throughout the year. The chart on the right shows the overall delivery of savings and any shortfall was absorbed within departmental resources as is evidenced from the overall departmental underspends. Some of these saving options were non- recurring in nature (£2.581m). Capital: Outturn against Budget The net 2023-24 capital expenditure was £37.860m compared to an annual budget of £33.166m, (adjusted during the year for previously agreed slippages, accelerations and virements) giving rise to a year end overspend of £4.694m (14.15%). There are a number of under and (overspends) within the outturn position, the most significant are noted below:
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 16 Project (Over)/Under Spend (£m) Explanation Roads Reconstruction 0.507 Funding received late in 2023-24 so carried forward into 2024-25 when spend will be incurred. Oban High School Replacement 0.406 Ongoing negotiations with contractor have delayed final payments and retention invoices which are outstanding. Shared Offices 0.372 Delays in expenditure as only minor works have been carried out to offices during 2023-24 due to office rationalisation project. Town Centre Funds (0.350) External funding will not be received until works are complete. Overall the project is within budget. Harbour Investment Programme (0.408) Reversal of previous slippage - consultancy work at Fionnphort and Port Askaig concluded earlier than previously anticipated. Overall the project is within budget. Kilmory Business Park (0.432) Delays in invoicing due to legal requirements resulting in delays in receiving external funding. Overall the project is within budget. Environmental Projects Income (0.500) External funding will not be received until works are complete which creates an in year variance. Overall the project is within budget. CHORD – Rothesay Income (1.435) External funding will not be received until works are complete which creates an in year variance. Overall the project is within budget. Dunoon STEM Hub Income (2.050) Project has been delayed due ongoing discussions regarding the location of the STEM Hub and budgeted income will not be received until the project is complete. Overall the project is within budget. Helensburgh Waterfront Income (2.369) Timing of receipt of funding causing 2023-24 variance which will be received in 2024-25. Overall the project is within budget. After accounting for previously agreed slippages, the total slippage in the capital programme in 2023-24 was £23.143m. In 2023-24 capital expenditure across Scotland’s councils continues to be impacted by increased inflation rates and shortages in construction materials, affecting both cost and delivery plans. There are also elements of slippage that can be attributed to incorrect profiling of spend at the start of the financial year as opposed to delays in the programme. There are 169 projects within the Capital Plan: 143 of the projects are complete or on track and 26 are off track but recoverable as a result of the slippage mentioned previously within the capital programme. There are no projects off track that are not recoverable. Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) The Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board (IJB) with responsibility for Social Work and a range of health services was established and came into effect on 1 April 2016. The Council approved the 2023-24 budget on 23 February 2023 and the amount approved for Social Work services transferring to the Integration Joint Board for 2023-24 was £76.253m. The budget figures quoted in the previous outturn table include in-year adjustments. In terms of the outturn position, the HSCP has reported an underspend for 2023-24 of £2.889m and there is no debt outstanding to the Council. The Council has a creditor totalling £3.389m on its balance sheet in relation to earmarked reserves which the Council holds on behalf of the HSCP. The earmarked balance comprises £0.791m of Scottish Government funding for a range of specific Scottish Government Initiatives, £0.630m of general reserves and £1.968m for service transformation and infrastructure investment.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 17 5. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) The CIES shows the accounting cost of providing services rather than the amount to be funded from taxation. Councils raise taxation to cover expenditure in accordance with regulations; this may be different from the accounting cost. The taxation position is shown in the Movement in Reserves Statement. The Council is required to make various statutory accounting adjustments to the net cost of services as reported in the budgetary outturn in order to comply with the Code of Practice for Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023-24. These accounting adjustments include depreciation, loans fund principal repayment and accrued holiday leave not taken by 31 March 2024. Internal income also requires to be removed between segments within the CIES. Reconciliation of CIES to Revenue Budget Outturn A reconciliation of the Surplus on the Provision of Services of £9.765m as noted in the CIES to the revenue budget outturn of £1.728m underspend is shown below. Reconciliation of CIES to Revenue Budget Outturn £000 £000 Surplus/(Deficit) on Provision of Services 9,765 Remove statutory adjustments that don't feature in budget outturn: Depreciation 25,732 Impairment of Assets charged to services (2,576) Capital Funding (23,550) CFCR (1,616) Pension Adjustment (6,322) Statutory Repayment of Debt (7,696) Repayment of Finance Leases (5,280) Transfers to/from Other Statutory Reserves (77) Service Concessions 40,869 Other Adjustments 136 19,620 Movement In General Fund Balance 29,385 Adjust for earmarkings: Released sums earmarked to service budgets 2023-24 27,286 Supplementary estimates agreed during 2023-24 9 Revenue Budget 23-24 – transferred to General Fund (19) Contributions to earmarked reserves 2023-24 (54,933) (27,657) Revenue Budget Underspend/(Overspend) 1,728
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 18 Balance Sheet The Balance Sheet summarises the Council’s assets and liabilities as at 31 March 2024 and explanatory notes are provided. The net worth of the Council has increased by £143.744m from £667.070m as at 31 March 2023 to £810.814m as at 31 March 2024. The major changes are set out in the table below. Main Balance Sheet Changes 31/03/2023 £000 31/03/2024 £000 Change £000 Main Reason Long Term Assets 886,601 769,486 (117,115) Largely due to the decrease in the value of the pension debtor partially offset by increase in the value of revalued assets. Current Assets 90,693 58,539 (32,154) Reduction in cash balances in comparison to previous year due to the early repayment of long- term loans and funding the capital programme through cash balances as opposed to taking out new long-term borrowing. Current Liabilities (68,592) (72,853) (4,261) Small increases in short term creditors and short- term borrowing. Long Term Liabilities (241,632) (233,152) 8,480 Reduction in long-term borrowing due to the early repayment of loans during the year and increase in the value of unfunded pension liabilities. Total 667,070 522,020 (145,050) Provisions The Council has provisions totalling £4.520m on the Balance Sheet as detailed in Note 29 to the Accounts. The larger provisions, those £0.250m or over, are summarised below. • £2.740m for landfill sites. A provision for landfill sites was created in 2014-15 reflecting the Council’s liability for restoration and ongoing maintenance in respect of landfill sites operated by the Council at Glengorm, Gartbreck and Gott Bay. These have been provided for based on the net present value of estimated future costs. • £1.025m for NPDO and Hub DBFM Payments. This provision is held in relation to disputed performance deductions and unbilled utility costs. Pension Asset The Council is required to account for its share of the Strathclyde Pension Fund assets and liabilities. The information included in the Accounts is provided by the Pension Fund actuaries following the annual valuation of the Fund. The Council’s share of the assets of the Strathclyde Pension Fund have been assessed on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method, an estimate of the pensions that will be payable in future years dependent on the assumptions about mortality rates, salary levels etc. The asset relates to benefits earned by existing or previous employees up to 31 March 2024. There has been a decrease in the pension valuation asset from £139.014m in 2022-23 to £0m in 2023- 24. This is as a result of the application of an asset ceiling applied in accordance with the requirements of IAS19.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 19 The pension liability or asset can fluctuate significantly year on year. The table below shows the pension liability or asset over the last three years. Further detail on the pension estimates are included within Note 31. Pension (Liability)/Asset at the end of the financial year 2021-22 £000 2022-23 £000 2023-24 £000 Pension Asset 4,634 139,014 0 Borrowing During 2022-23 the Council’s external borrowing reduced by £23.037m from £143.973m as at 31 March 2023 to £120.936m as at 31 March 2024. The reduction was due to the early repayment of long term loans during the year in order to receive a discount and achieve an overall treasury gain. The Council was under borrowed by £68m at 31 March 2024. This was due to the early repayment of loans, minimal new long term borrowing taken out and slippage within the capital programme. The Council’s 2023-24 ‘Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy’ was approved at the full Council meeting on 23 February 2023 and outlines the Council’s capital prudential and treasury indicators. Statement of Movement in Reserves This Statement shows the movement on the different reserves held by the Council, analysed into usable reserves (resource backed reserves which can be used to fund expenditure) and unusable reserves (required purely for accounting purposes and are not backed by resources). The balance of unusable reserves has decreased by £172.976m from £573.295m as at 31 March 2023 to £400.319m as at 31 March 2024. The main reason for this movement is the decrease in the pensions reserve noted earlier in this commentary plus smaller accounting adjustments required through the Capital adjustment account and revaluation reserve. The balance of usable reserves has increased by £27.926m from £93.775m as at 31 March 2023 to £121.701m as at 31 March 2024. This is due to an increase in the General Fund of £29.385m offset by smaller reductions in the Capital Fund outlined in Note 34.1 and the Repairs and Renewals Fund outlined in Note 34.2. In respect of the General Fund Balance movement, there has been an increase of £29.385m from a balance of £86.356m to £115.741m and the detail on the movement in the balance is summarised within the table below. Movement on General Fund Balance £000 Balance on General Fund 31 March 2023 86,356 Revenue Budget 2023-24 – transfer to General Fund 19 Released sums earmarked to service budgets 2023-24 (27,286) Contributions to earmarked reserves 2023-24 – Service Concessions 35,658 Contributions to earmarked reserves 2023-24 - Other 19,275 Supplementary Estimate (8) Overall budget underspend as noted above 1,728
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 20 Rounding (1) Balance on General Fund 31 March 2024 115,741 General Fund Balance The chart below shows what is included within the General Balance as at 31 March 2024 with a comparison to the position as at 31 March 2023. General Fund Balances as at 31 March 2023 and 31 March 2024 An analysis of the earmarked balances are shown in the chart below. Earmarked Balances held in the General Fund as at 31 March 2024 Group Accounts The Group accounts include Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Valuation Joint Board as an Associate, as the Council have “significant influence” over their financial and operating policies. Live Argyll is a wholly owned subsidiary of Argyll and Bute Council and is consolidated within the group accounts on a line by line basis.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 21 In addition, the Council’s Common Good Funds have been fully consolidated into the Group Accounts and Note 37 gives further details on the Council’s Common Good Funds. The effect of inclusion of the Associates, Subsidiary and Common Good Funds on the Group Balance Sheet is to increase both reserves and net worth by £21.472m. This gives an overall net asset position for the Group of £543.492m, a decrease of £143.800m from the previous year. The most significant decrease is in the pension position of £158.592m partially offset by an increase in non-current assets as a result of revaluations. The Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board has responsibility for all health and social care functions relating to adults and children and will oversee the strategic planning and budgeting of these, together with corresponding service delivery for the residents of Argyll and Bute. Argyll and Bute Council contributed £77.605m towards the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board in the 2023-24 financial year. All transactions are accounted for and shown within the single entity statements and the IJB are treated as a Joint Venture within the Group Accounts therefore a share of their overall surplus and net assets have been recognised in the Group Statements. 6. KEY FINANCIAL INDICATORS The financial indicators outlined below have been developed to assist the reader in assessing the performance by the Council over the last financial year and the affordability of its ongoing commitments. Key Financial Indicators Financial Indicator 2022-23 2023-24 Comment Unallocated General Fund Balance as a proportion of next year’s Annual Budgeted Net Expenditure 2.44% 2.75% Reflects the level of funding available to manage financial risk/unplanned expenditure. This includes the 2% contingency. The 2023-24 position is slightly more than 2022-23 which confirms there are sufficient reserves to meet any unplanned expenditure. Movement in the Unallocated General Fund Balance (£0.6m) £1.06m Reflects the extent to which the Council is using its Unallocated General Fund Balance (excluding contingency). An increase in the 2023-24 balance to offset the reduction in the previous year and provide a degree of stability in the Council’s financial position. In-year Council Tax collection rate 96.82% 96.34% Reflects the Council's effectiveness in collecting Council Tax debt compared to a target of 96%. The target continues to be exceeded. Ratio of Council Tax Income to Overall Level of Funding 17.76% 19.9% Reflects the capacity of the Council to vary expenditure by raising Council Tax income. Actual Outturn compared to budgeted expenditure £3.273m 1.06% £1.728m 0.55% A measure of how the final outturn compares to the budgeted position. The surplus is a reflection of the effectiveness of the Council’s financial management particularly the Loans Fund. Capital Financing Requirement (CFR) for the current year £291.782m £332.394m Measurement of requirement to borrow for capital purposes. The increase in 2023-24 reflects writing back the overpayment of the debt element of Service Concession arrangements in prior years. External Debt Levels for the current year £142.536m £119.407m Actual borrowing for capital investment levels. Reduction in 2023-24 due to the early repayment of
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 22 Financial Indicator 2022-23 2023-24 Comment long term loans at a discounted rate to achieve a treasury gain and minimal need to borrow due to slippage in the capital programme and cash balances. Ratio of financing costs to net revenue stream 6.26% 2.74% Measures the percentage of income that has been committed towards meeting the costs of borrowing. The more income needed to fund financing costs the less that is available to meet other revenue expenditure. The ratio has dropped in 2023-24 as we have repaid long term borrowing during the year, used cash balances to fund the capital programme and delayed taking any new borrowing where possible while interest rates were high. There will be a need to increase borrowing again in the future and this ratio will rise again. 7. OUTLOOK A five year financial outlook informing Council of the estimated budget gap covering the period 2024-25 to 2028-29 using best case, worse case and mid-range scenarios was kept up to date during 2023-24 and presented to the Policy and Resources Committee in May, August, October and December 2023. Preparing any forward looking financial outlook is challenging due to the levels of uncertainty, for example the level of Scottish Government Grant, the impact of rising inflation and the uncertainty of pay awards being agreed before the budget setting process. The assumptions used to inform the outlook are reviewed, updated and reported regularly. The Council has a strong track record in financial management as recognised by previous years annual external audit reports and the Council’s Best Value report issued in May 2020. The chart below shows the cumulative budget gap over the next five years as reported to the Policy and Resources Committee on 9 May 2024. Cumulative Budget Gap 2025-26 to 2029-30 as reported on 9 May 2024 Budget Strategy A Budget Approach report was presented to Policy and Resources Committee on 11 May 2023 where it was agreed that a cross party Budget Working Group (BWG) be established comprising six elected members from the administration, three elected members from the opposition and two Trade Union representatives. The BWG’s role was to engage with officers and provide a sounding board to assist in
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 23 the development and identification of savings options. During 2023-24 the Council sought the views of the Community on high level priorities for the budget via a budget simulator. A report outlining the feedback from this consultation was presented to Policy and Resources Committee on 12 October 2023. This exercise allowed Elected Members to take into account the views of the Community when considering and preparing the budget for 2024-25. A further budget update report was presented to Policy and Resources Committee on 7 December 2023 which set out the latest financial position, initial savings options and other pressures that may have to be considered as part of the budget setting process. The BWG met on 18 September 2023, 9 November 2023 and 18 January 2024. During these meetings Members were presented with the findings from the consultation, updates on the financial position and savings options identified by officers. The Council continues to be committed to developing multi-year savings proposals with a focus on longer term planning. As part of the 2023-24 budget setting process savings that required more detailed work that could be considered in future years were also identified and these are already being explored as part of a pipeline of savings for future years. These include detailed reviews of the Roads and Infrastructure and Education Services. Preparation is already well underway for the 2025-26 budget setting process and a report on the proposed approach will be presented to Council on 27 June 2024. This includes a proposal to once again create a cross party BWG. There is no doubt that bridging the budget gap both in 2025-26 and future years will be extremely challenging. The budget gap is calculated using a number of assumptions and there are three areas where a change to the assumptions could have the biggest impact on the estimates: 1. Scottish Government Grant – within the mid-range scenario, a 0.5% decrease has been assumed which is similar to the reduction in 2024-25. Every 1% change is circa £1.4m. 2. Council Tax – within the mid-range scenario, a 5% increase has been assumed on the basis that the majority of Councils increased their Council Tax by at least 5% in 2023-24 prior to the freeze in 2024- 25. This is an officer assumption, as this is a matter for Council to agree. Every 1% change is circa £600k. 3. Pay Award – within the mid-range scenario, a 2% increase has been assumed. Every 1% change is circa £1.7m. As previously noted, the budget outlook is extremely challenging and this is made more so by the ring- fenced and directed spend by Scottish Government resulting in the budget where the Council is able to exercise any control being a lot smaller. It is hoped that the Verity House agreement may bring opportunities for the un-ring-fencing of some areas of budget. Furthermore, in April 2024 a new Provost and Leader of the Council were appointed which was followed by changes in Members of the administration. The new administration are currently considering their priorities which could have an impact on decisions made as part of the budget setting process. Cost of Living Crisis The ‘cost of living crisis’ refers to the fall in ‘real’ disposable incomes (that is, adjusted for inflation and after taxes and benefits) that the UK has experienced since late 2021. It is being caused predominantly by high inflation outstripping wage and benefit increases. Despite some stabilisation efforts, the persistent economic pressures are affecting both individuals and Council services significantly. The Council continues to see significant increases in all areas of supplies, but specifically in utilities, food and fuel costs and it will be extremely challenging to contain spending
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 24 within current resources. The Council remains committed to addressing these challenges through strategic planning and support initiatives for individuals. Rural Growth Deal Our £70m Rural Growth Deal is about turning economic potential into a successful future for Argyll and Bute. It is about investing in initiatives that will turn the area’s fantastic natural resources and business innovation into a thriving local economy. The Council signed the Heads of Terms in February 2021 and is working on producing the full deal documentation, which includes a business case for each of the themes within the deal. The deal was due to be signed on 7 June 2024 by the Council and both the Scottish and UK Governments but due to the calling of the UK General Election this has had to be postponed. The project themes in the deal are as follows: Marine Tourism/Place Programme including the Rothesay Pavilion at Full Business Case Low Carbon Economy - Islay Rural Skills Accelerator Housing – Isle of Mull and Isle of Islay Clyde Engineering & Innovation Centre West Coast UAV Marine Aquaculture Programme. Regular updates on progress are posted on the website, see link: Rural Growth Deal (argyll-bute.gov.uk). UK Government Levelling Up Agenda Levelling Up Fund The Levelling Up Partnership funding was announced by the UK Government in the 2023 Autumn Statement and Argyll and Bute has been allocated up to £20m of Levelling Up Partnership funding. The process to choose the final projects is different to previous Levelling Up funding rounds and is very much driven by the UK Government. It was originally envisaged that a long list of projects would be identified by May 2024 with a short list by mid-July 2024. Business cases would then be developed by the UK Government with a final decision made in September 2024. There will be a degree of public consultation led by the UK Government and the final decision on the successful projects will lie with the Secretary of Stage (not the Council). It is unclear how the General Election will impact on these timescales. In terms of the kind of projects, it very much follows the Levelling Up Agenda, that is business, transport connectivity, community safety, skills and education and housing. Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) The UKSPF is a successor to the previous EU structural funds, it is viewed as a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda. The overarching aim of the UKSPF is to build pride in place and increase life chances across the UK. The project / programme activities outlined in the Argyll and Bute UKSPF Investment Plan are all aligned to three key investment priorities: communities and place; supporting local business; and people and skills, where each priority has predefined interventions, outputs and outcomes. In addition to core UKSPF monies, the investment plan includes a focus on ring-fenced ‘Multiply’ funding to support the delivery of an area-based adult numeracy programme. Argyll and Bute Council received an allocation from the UKSPF of just under £4.5m to support delivery over three financial year, specifically the final three months of 2022-23 and the next two financial years, 2023-24 and 2024-25, until the end of March 2025. There are 21 projects funded under the Core UKSPF and another three projects support by the Multiply
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 25 programme (also part of the UKSPF £4.5m allocation). Aligned to UK Government guidance, any underspend for 2023/24 has been carried over and reprofiled for 2024/25. It is anticipated that the full allocation will be spent by the end of March 2025. Learning Estate Investment Programme The Councils bid to the Scottish Governments Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP) for funding for a new school campus on Mull was successful. While this is good news and will provide welcome investment in the school estate it does come with a financial pressure that is required to be funded if the project is to proceed. The Scottish Government will fund up to 50% of eligible costs therefore the Council will be required to fund circa £20m prior to any associated borrowing costs. A Members seminar was held on the 12 April 2024 and a report subsequently presented to Council on 25 April 2024 outlining the financial, economic, community and educational implications of the proposed campus. Members agreed that up to £5m from the previously agreed earmarked LEIP funding could be used to commence the Business Case, undertake engagement exercises, commence the site selection process and establish governance arrangements. To progress with the project beyond this point Members will consider the capital and revenue budget provision required as part of the budget setting process. Risks The Council’s Strategic Management Team (SMT) actively manage strategic risks via a six monthly review of the Strategic Risk Register (SRR) which adopts established risk management arrangements including reviewing current mitigating measures and identifying key actions to further mitigate them. These actions are designed to be consistent with the work required to deliver services which are aligned to the Council’s objectives through the Council’s strategic and service plans. Furthermore departmental management teams review their operational risk registers (ORR) on a quarterly basis with all red risks identified in ORRs being reported to the SMT to ensure they are sighted on all emerging high priority risks. The SRR currently has 13 strategic risks which are categorised using a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) Status based on the residual impact and likelihood of crystallisation after accounting for mitigation measures. There are currently four risks classified as red as set out in the diagram below which also summarises the current mitigating actions. These are issues that the Council continues to manage through programmes of work such as the Rural Growth Deal, and the Levelling Up Fund, also the progression of a new Waste Strategy with a particular focus on the 2025 ban on Biodegradable Municipal Waste, reviewing contingency plans and disaster recovery plans in relation to Cyber Security and addressing the Housing Emergency through a Housing Strategy and Investment Plan.
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Management Commentary www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 26 8. CONCLUSION The Council has continued to have good financial planning arrangements in place in 2023-24. We have managed the continued inflationary pressures and taken the opportunity to repay borrowing at a discount which helped ensure that we operated within budget in 2023-24. The utilisation of the Service Concession flexibility has allowed us to earmark funds to address Council priorities and therefore not put further pressure on the budget position. It is recognised that ongoing real term reductions in Scottish Government core revenue grant continues to present significant financial challenges for all local authorities, however, our council is in a strong position to manage the financially challenging times. The Council are committed to deliver the best services to the people of Argyll and Bute within the available resources. 9. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would take this opportunity to acknowledge the significant effort in producing the Annual Accounts and to record our thanks to both Elected Members and staff for their continued hard work and support. Councillor Jim Lynch Pippa Milne Kirsty Flanagan Leader Chief Executive Section 95 Officer 20 December 2024 20 December 2024 20 December 2024 •Maximise external funding •Rural Growth Deal •Levelling Up Fund •UK Shared Propsperity Funding Investment Plan Population, Infrastructure and Economic Decline •Developing options for new Waste Strategy •Planning for impact of Bio-degradable Municipal Waste Ban 2025 •Planning for impact of Scottish Deposit Return SchemeWaste Management •Contingency Planning •Raising Cyber Security awareness •Disaster Recovery Plan •Work with Scottish Government Cyber Resilience Team Cyber Security •Housing Strategy and Investment Plan •Housing Delivery Group •Islands Programme Award of Funding for worker accomodation Housing Availability
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Statement of Responsibilities for the Annual Accounts www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 27 THE AUTHORITY'S RESPONSIBILITIES The Council is required: • to make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs and to ensure that one of its officers has the responsibility for the administration of those affairs (Section 95 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973). In this Authority, that officer is the Executive Director; • to manage its affairs to secure economic, efficient and effective use of resources and safeguard its assets; • to ensure the Annual Accounts are prepared in accordance with legislation (The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014), and so far as is compatible with that legislation, in accordance with proper accounting practices (section 12 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003); • to approve the Annual Accounts for signature. Councillor Jim Lynch Leader 20 December 2024 SECTION 95 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES The Section 95 Officer is responsible for the preparation of the Council's Annual Accounts in accordance with proper practices as required by legislation and as set out in the CIPFA/LASAAC Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (The Code). In preparing the Annual Accounts, the Section 95 Officer has: • selected suitable accounting policies and applied them consistently; • made judgements and estimates on a reasonable basis; • complied with legislation; • complied with the Local Authority Accounting Code of Practice 2023-24 (in so far as it is compatible with legislation). The Section 95 Officer has also: • kept adequate accounting records which were up to date; • taken reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. I certify that the Annual Accounts give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Council and its group at the reporting date and the transactions of the Council and its group for the year ended 31 March 2024. Kirsty Flanagan Section 95 Officer 20 December 2024
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 28 1. BACKGROUND AND SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY Argyll and Bute Council’s (the Council) governance framework includes the systems, processes and culture by which the Council is controlled, engages with communities and monitors the achievement of strategic objectives. The Council conducts its business in accordance with the law and proper standards. The Council has a duty to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to the economic, efficient and effective use of public money. The system of internal control is a key part of the framework and is designed to manage risk to an acceptable level. In discharging these responsibilities, the Council has put in place proper arrangements for the governance of its affairs and the stewardship of the resources at its disposal. The Council has approved and adopted a Local Code of Corporate Governance (the Code) which is consistent with the principles and requirements of the CIPFA/SOLACE revised Framework for ‘Delivering Good Governance in Local Government. This Statement explains how the Council has complied with the Code and meets the requirements of current good practice. 2. THE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK The Code details how the Council will demonstrate compliance with the fundamental principles of corporate governance for public sector bodies. The seven key principles of our governance arrangements in 2023/24 are described in the Code, along with our supporting principles and key aspects of our arrangements to ensure compliance. 1. Behaving with integrity, demonstrating strong commitment to ethical values, and respecting the rule of law. We have four values, which underpin all that we do and provide a sound basis to achieve transformation to ensure we meet the challenges of the future and deliver quality services. These values are that we have a workforce which is: Caring Committed Collaborative Creative The Council has developed a change programme ‘Connect for Success’ with the seven principles – One Council One Place Approach, Purpose and Mission Focus, Employee Empowerment, Data and Evidence Driven Decision Making, Learning Council, Agile and Maximise Opportunities that Technology Offers - Connect for Success We have developed and communicated an Ethical Framework within the Council's Constitution, which defines standards of behaviour for Members and staff. Protocols for Member/Officer relations are also detailed within the Constitution. The Councillors’ Code of Conduct is set out at a national level, applying to all members in Scottish local authorities and is incorporated into the Council’s Constitution as part of the ethical framework which also includes a protocol for the Monitoring Officer. A Register of Members Interests is publicly available for inspection. In addition, the Constitution has a section on conduct at meetings and meeting agendas require declarations of interest to be made where appropriate. Standing orders for meetings are included within the Council’s constitution and training and support is provided to members on their role in Council committees. Anti-fraud and whistleblowing policies are in place and the Council has adopted the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman’s (SPSO’s) Model Complaints Handling Procedure.
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 29 The Council complies with CIPFA’s Statement on the Role of the Chief Financial Officer in Local Government. In addition, Professional advice on the discharge of statutory social work duties is provided to the Council by the Chief Social Work (CSWO). A structure of governance and framework across our day to day activities and which supports accountability, control, risk management and appropriate overview of the Council are outlined in the diagram below:
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 30 Decision Making / Procedural Council and Committee Structure Council and Committee Terms of Reference Council and Committee Standing Orders Scheme of Delegated Functions Standing Orders Relating to Contracts Councillor's Code of Conduct Corporate Governance Executive Leadership Team and Senior Management Team Risk Management Integrity HR and Individual Capability Strategic Planning Performance Management Framework Community Planning and Empowerment Stakeholder Engagement Financial Governance Internal Control ALEO Governance Scheme of Delegation ALEO Governance Framework Risk and Governance Reporting Financial and Operational Performance ALEO Risk Register Asset Governance Corporate Asset Management Strategy Corporate Asset Managment Plan and Capital Plan Records Management Information Management and Security Local Development Plan ICT and Digital Strategy Major Programmes/Projects Capital Investment Programme Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) Projects Campbeltown, Helensburgh, Oban, Rothesay & Dunoon (CHORD) Projects Marine Asset Management Plan Rural Growth Deal Annual Status and Options Report External and Internal Audit and other regulatory inspections Constitution, Governance, Risk Management and Accountability
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 31 2. Ensuring openness and comprehensive stakeholder engagement. We have established clear channels of communication with the community and other stakeholders through our Communication Strategy. Key mechanisms include: Consultation Diary The Council has developed a consultation section on its website which hosts all consultations run by the Council and includes a section which publicises the results and/or outcome of the consultation and the resultant decisions that have been taken, showing how they were informed by the consultation process. This is part of our commitment to You Said, We Did information sharing for the public. Consultations provide communities with an opportunity to get involved with wide ranging aspects of the council’s work and life in Argyll and Bute. These include for example, play park funding, active travel routes, primary school consultations, and the council’s customer service strategy. Keep in the Loop Service Over 10,870 customers currently subscribe to receive notifications across the range of services. 'Myaccount' is a secure sign-in service for accessing online public services in Scotland. It provides the ability to set up an online account and use it to access a growing range of online public services, Scotland-wide, including Argyll and Bute Council. Currently 16,744 customers up from 15,399 last year have signed up to this service and it allows customers to access and personalise their interaction with the Council on a range of services. Public Performance Reporting The Council’s website makes all performance information available to the public. This includes information on performance scorecards, budgets and other service related information. This promotes open accountability to the public for its performance against agreed policies and standards. As part of phase two of the performance excellence project a review of the council's approach to public performance reporting is being undertaken. Accessibility In 2023/24 75% of 593,362 customer interactions through the council’s Customer Engagement Team were made using digital self-service. This very high proportion is because of the scope and quality of the digital services provided. In order to ensure maximum accessibility for everyone and meet our equalities responsibilities, the Council’s website was upgraded to the latest software version Drupal 10 and its content refreshed to meet the new international WCAG2.2 standard. In March 2024 it scored 98% in the UK Independent Silktide accessibility score, rating it the 37th highest ranking Council in the UK. In addition the Reachdeck supported access tool was added to the website to give read aloud and translation help to users seeking such additional assistance and our 24/7 automated telephone service was used 46,942 times by those customers who struggle with online digital services. Community Engagement To support strengthening communities, community empowerment and engagement the council has in place: • An officer Community Engagement Strategy Group to oversee the development and implementation of the council’s internal Engagement Strategy; advising on best practice in engagement tools and techniques, supporting skills development and capacity within the council to effectively engage with communities. On this group sit those officers with expertise in engagement including those from Corporate Communications and the Communities & Partnership Team. The Councils Communications Team has developed an engagement app for services to use, and the council’s Communities & Partnership Team has resources and expertise to support hard to reach groups,
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 32 community organisations and remote communities to have a voice in decision making. • A Community Development service, with a focus on improving active citizenship and capacity building through best practice in community development through a responsive and effectively targeted programme of Community Development support internally to the council and externally within communities across Argyll and Bute. • A range of training and resources to help build the knowledge, skills and confidence of community groups • Funding support to help empower community organisations to take forward priority projects and activities in their area: Monthly funding alert | Argyll and Bute Council (argyll-bute.gov.uk) • Resourcing community council liaison activities, including training and support activity, which helps to build the capacity of community councils. The Council also has a statutory lead role to ensuring Community Learning and Development provision in Argyll and Bute is set out in an Argyll and Bute Community Learning and Development Strategic Plan, and this is delivered through its collaboration with its Arms-length External Organisation (ALEO) partner Live Argyll. The Council continues to promote the Community-led action plan toolkit (developed in partnership with Scottish Community Development Centre) to help support communities interested in developing a local Community-led Action Plan. The Council also provides support for communities interested in development a Place Plan: Local Place Plans | Argyll and Bute Council (argyll-bute.gov.uk) The Council directly resources the management of the Community Planning Partnership (CPP) to bring partners together, including community, to deliver on the Outcome Improvement Plan. It actively seeks to ensure that young people are engaged in Community Planning and has implemented the following: • The 3 local Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP's) attend the Community Planning Partnership Management Committee meetings on a rotational basis. • The Area Community Planning Groups (ACPG) invite members of local Youth Forums to attend meetings when they are held in their local areas & information is passed on to young people by Youth Workers who are kept updated on any developments. • The revised Scheme of Establishment for Community Councils outlines the requirement to encourage young people to attend and participate in community council meetings” and the age to become a Community Councillor was lowered to be 16 to encourage more young people to become involved. Council/Committee Meetings Meetings are always held in public, unless one of the statutory exemptions in the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, schedule 7A applies to the content of the report. Agendas for and minutes of meetings are detailed on the Council’s website. When schedule 7A applies papers are adjusted to ensure that the maximum amount of content is in the public domain. The Council’s Constitution defines the roles and responsibilities of the administration, committees, scrutiny and officer functions, with clear delegation arrangements and protocols for effective communication. The Standards Commission Advice Note for Councillors on Distinguishing between their Strategic Role and any Operational Work has previously been included in an Elected Member Seminar and is hosted on the Members Resource page on the Hub for ease of reference.
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 33 3. Defining outcomes in terms of sustainable economic, social, and environmental benefits. Our Corporate plan sets out our, and our community planning partner’s, vision for Argyll and Bute’s economic success to be built on a growing population. It also defines our mission “To make Argyll and Bute a place people choose to live, learn, work and do business” and establishes our outcomes, priorities and approach to delivering on our shared ambition with our community partners. We have a Performance Improvement Framework (PIF) that ensures performance is integral to the work of the Council. The PIF is focused not just on measuring what we do but on measuring the difference we make in terms of our outcomes. Asset management planning and capital investment is structured to consider and balance the combined economic, social and environmental impact of policies and plans when taking decisions about service provision. The Council has put arrangements in place to comply with key elements of the Community Empowerment Act. In determining how services and other courses of action should be planned and delivered the Council is increasingly engaging with internal and external stakeholders. Community benefit is an important consideration in the procurement of goods and services. The Council has acknowledges the effects of the ‘Cost of Living’ within Argyll and Bute and during 2023/2024 client gain achieved by the Flexible food and Fuel fund project reached £3.8 million. This project, supporting the most vulnerable low income households and those using foodbanks in our area to access short-term grants to cover the cost of food and fuel in the short term. In the longer term support through the provision benefit maximisation, money advice and energy advice services is provided by third sector partner agencies. In addition, this year the Council has issued 1,300 Scotland Loves Local Gift Cards to low income households in the year ensuring the £110,000 loaded onto the gift cards is spent in Island based local businesses in Argyll and Bute. The Council and the Third Sector Interface is supporting the Poverty Alliance on a project entitled “Taking Action on Rural Poverty” which is looking at new ways of addressing rural poverty in Argyll and Bute by reducing the rural poverty premium. The Council has also provided a one-stop-shop webpage where individuals and families can access energy advice, money advice and links to the services the Council provides in this area and those provided by third sector partner organisations. In 2022/23 Argyll & Bute Council recorded its lowest level of operational carbon emissions since reporting commenced in 2015/16 via the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties. This represents a reduction of 12,952 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent), approximately 33% against baseline figures. Work continues across Council services to reduce our emissions and support our journey to net zero including the transition to energy efficient LED streetlighting, moving to electric or hybrid fleet vehicles, and increasing diversion of waste from landfill. Integrated impact assessments as well as environmental, sustainability and island implications are considered during the decision making process to promote fair access to services. 4. Determining the interventions necessary to optimise the achievement of the intended outcomes. Decision makers receive detailed information indicating how intended outcomes would be achieved together with the implications associated with the proposals covering financial, risks and mitigations, integrated impact assessment, acting sustainably, carbon management, island proofing, and changes to schemes, by way of the compulsory sections of the Committee report. The Council’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) meet regularly with the administration to discuss their key priorities and requirements for decision making in addition there is regular survey and feedback on their needs and a regular review of governance arrangements to ensure that decision making is fully supported.
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 34 In determining how services and other courses of action should be planned and delivered the Council is increasingly engaging with internal and external stakeholders. Community benefit is an important consideration in the procurement of goods and services. The Council fosters effective relationships, collaborative working and contractual arrangements with other public, private, and voluntary organisations in delivering services that meet the needs of the local community as stated in the Council’s Corporate Plan 5. Developing the entity’s capacity, including the capability of its leadership and the individuals within it. Elected Member Development The Council has signed up to the Improvement Service’s Continuing Professional Development Framework for Elected Members. All Elected Members are provided with opportunities to progress personal development plans so that individual training needs and aspirations are identified and support provided as appropriate. This is complemented by a comprehensive seminar and workshop programme which addresses a wide range of topics and strategic issues. Additional training was undertaken by Elected Members in relation to the technology, knowledge and skills necessary to support the transition to a virtual environment including webcasting of strategic Committee meetings and the operation of meetings on a hybrid basis, enabling a mixed attendance of members being physically or virtually present. Officer Development The Council supports officer development through a structured approach, driven by the values set out in the Corporate Plan and a behavioural competency framework. The Council has Argyll and Bute Manager and Leadership Programmes, which ensure that all employees who have management responsibilities are knowledgeable and effective in delivering services within the priority management policies and procedures of the Council, including finance, performance and people management. The Leadership Programme ensures that senior and aspiring leaders in the organisation have support to develop their leadership behaviours and to improve their overall impact and performance across the organisation. 6. Managing risks and performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management. Internal Financial Control Our standing orders, financial instructions, scheme of delegation and supporting procedure notes/manuals clearly define how decisions are taken and the processes and controls in place to manage risks. These are reviewed and updated on an annual basis. We ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, internal policies and procedures, and that expenditure is lawful. The Council’s Monitoring Officer advises on compliance with our policy framework, ensuring that decision making is lawful and fair. Furthermore the Council has a designated Data Protection Officer and all services have Information Asset Registers along with appropriate guidance on how data should be managed. Our financial management arrangements conform to the CIPFA Statement on the Role of the Chief Financial Officer and we ensure that our independent Audit and Scrutiny Committee undertakes the core functions identified in CIPFA’s Audit Committees – Practical Guidance for Local Authorities. The Council has a proactive, holistic approach to tackling fraud, theft, corruption and crime, as an integral part of protecting public finances, safeguarding assets, and delivering services effectively. It is based upon the national counter fraud standard CIPFA’s Code of Practice on ‘Managing the Risk of Fraud and Corruption’. The Council has a system of internal financial control designed to manage risk to a reasonable level. It is based on a framework of regular management information, financial regulations, administrative
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 35 procedures (including segregation of duties), management supervision, and a system of delegation and accountability. Development and maintenance of the system is undertaken by officers within the Council and the named bodies mentioned below. Internal Financial Controls and Prevention Are these in Place? Comprehensive budget systems Financial and budget monitoring systems Financial and Performance reporting systems Clearly defined Capital Expenditure guidelines Project Management processes and disciplines An effective Internal Audit Section An effective Counter Fraud Team Internal controls cannot eliminate risk of failure to achieve policies, aims and objectives and can therefore only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance of effectiveness. This annual review also covers the other bodies whose activities are incorporated into our Group Accounts and reliance is placed on the formal audit opinion contained in the financial statements of each individual body. • Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Valuation Board • Live Argyll • Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board The Council’s risk management processes are well developed. In particular the: • Strategic Risk Register is updated twice a year and approved by the SMT • Chief Executive presents the Strategic Risk Register to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee on an annual basis • Operational Risk Registers are updated quarterly by departmental management teams. • Internal Audit will perform an audit of compliance with risk management arrangements every three years. • The CIA performs an annual strategic risk assurance mapping exercise. 7. Implementing good practices in transparency, reporting, and audit to deliver effective accountability Internal Audit The Council and its Group bodies have internal audit functions, which operate to Public Sector Internal Audit Standards. The work of internal audit is informed by an analysis of the risk to which the Council and its Group bodies are exposed, with annual internal audit plans prepared based on that analysis. The Council's Audit and Scrutiny Committee endorses the preparation methodology and annual internal audit plan and monitors the performance of Internal Audit in completing the plan. In addition, the Council has developed a hybrid meeting facility enabling physical and virtual attendance at meetings with a public broadcast function so that members of the public can see and hear meetings of the Council’s strategic committees’ live increasing openness and transparency.
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 36 The Chief Internal Auditor (CIA) provides the Audit and Scrutiny Committee with an annual report on internal audit activity in the Council and an opinion of the assurance can be taken regarding the systems of governance and internal control and whether they are operating effectively. This is an independent and objective opinion of the CIA based on work carried out in conformance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards to fulfil statutory Internal Audit provision. Internal audit provides members and management of the Council with independent assurance on risk management, internal control and corporate governance processes. External audit has, and continues to, use the work of internal audit. The Annual Accounts and Report sets out the financial position in accordance with relevant accounting regulations. Review of the Adequacy of Effectiveness of the Council’s Governance Framework Work to deliver Argyll and Bute’s Covid Recovery Strategy and Action plan continued in 2023/24 with the same governance arrangements. Full details of the action plan is detailed in the document “Recovery, Renew and Restart”, which was approved by Councils Economic, Development and Infrastructure Committee. The Council has appropriate management and reporting arrangements to enable it to satisfy itself that its approach to corporate governance is adequate and effective in practice. The legislative framework of local government defines a number of posts which are primary to the Council’s governance arrangements. These include the Chief Executive, Pippa Milne fulfilling the role of Head of Paid Service. As Monitoring Officer, the Executive Director Douglas Hendry: • oversees the implementation of the Code and monitoring its operation • reports annually to the Council on compliance with the Code and any changes required to maintain it and ensure its effectiveness. Specific responsibilities are assigned to the Executive Director Kirsty Flanagan as the Council’s Chief Financial Officer (S95 Officer), to ensure that public funds are properly accounted for. In recognition of the significant role that the Chief Financial Officer has in relation to financial performance and the financial control environment, CIPFA has set out key principles that define the core activities and behaviours that belong to the role. These include, being a key member of the Leadership Team, being actively involved in and influencing decision making, and leading the delivery of good financial management across the whole organisation. The Council have appointed a Data Protection Officer in line with the requirements of the UK- General Data Protection Regulations and the Data Protection Act 2018. Covid Recovery Progress Report 2023/24 The Argyll and Bute Overarching Recovery Group (formed to lead this process with specific thematic groups focused on Council recovery, building back stronger communities, economic and social recovery, infrastructure and transportation, financial management and public health) continues to have an overview of the Councils Covid Recovery Strategy and critical themes, although the majority of the actions have either been completed or been mainstreamed into other strategic or operational plans. Key updates are as follows: a) Economic and Social Recovery: Issues and actions are incorporated within the Councils Economic Strategy b) Building Back Stronger Communities. Issues and actions are incorporated within the Corporate Community Planning priorities c) Our Modern Workspaces program. The Council have established hybrid working across its activities and Our Modern Workspace project aims to look at how we use offices on a town by town basis and take into account the needs of employees and members of the public, as well as any opportunities for working more closely with partners. Good progress is being made to develop Hub buildings and reducing heating and maintenance costs and our huge portfolio of buildings.
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 37 d) The Joint Health Protection Plan, agreed by Argyll and Bute Council, Highland Council and NHS Highland, sets out the public health arrangements for the management and control of public health incidents and outbreaks, together with detailing our collective public health priorities for 2023-25. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY It is anticipated the Scottish public sector will continue to face a very challenging short and medium term financial outlook with uncertainty over the level of Scottish Government funding. The one year financial settlements do not provide any degree of medium term certainty and ring-fencing of monies and additional policy commitments which are not always fully funded limit financial flexibility and create additional financial pressures. In June 2023 the Verity House agreement was signed by representatives from Scottish Local Government and Scottish Government which signified a shared vision for a more collaborative approach to delivering our Services. This agreement included a commitment to improve engagement on budgetary matters and provide more flexibility to Local Authorities by baselining specific grants to allow them to be utilised on local priorities. It has been disappointing to note that very little has changed in light of this agreement with no engagement with Local Authorities prior to the Council Tax freeze announcement for 2024-25. The financial outlook continues to be impacted by higher levels of inflation than pre-COVID which results in significant price increases as well as ongoing disruptions to the supply chain and longer lead in times. Tender prices are substantially higher than in previous years meaning a reduced level of Service can be provided for the same amount of money. The Council continues to provide financial estimates for future years with their medium term financial outlook covering a five year window to provide a longer term view of the Council’s estimated budget gap. Preparing any forward looking financial outlook is challenging due to the levels of uncertainty however the assumptions are reviewed regularly and updated with the outlook prepared to reflect a best case, worst case and mid-range scenario. The Council has a strong track record in financial management as recognised by previous year’s annual external audit reports and the Council’s Best Value report issued in May 2020. The Best Value report also recognises that the Council’s medium to long term financial strategy helps support financial planning arrangements. In addition to providing revenue and capital projections the Strategy also sets out the position in relation to the Council’s general fund reserve, the approach to managing the financial impact of inflationary pressures, approach to Treasury Management and the strategy to address budget gaps. HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION The Argyll and Bute IJB has been established as a separate legal entity from Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland, with its own board of governance. The IJB comprises eight voting members with four Elected Members nominated by Argyll and Bute Council and four Board members from NHS Highland. In addition there are a number of non-voting appointees representing other sectors and stakeholder groups, such as the Third Sector, Independent Sector, Patients and Service Users, Carers and Staff. The arrangements for the operation, remit and governance of the IJB are set out in the Argyll and Bute Integration Scheme which has been prepared and approved by Argyll and Bute Council and NHS Highland. It has also been approved by the Scottish Government. The IJB, via a process of delegation from the Health Board and Local Authority as outlined in the Scheme of Integration has responsibility for the planning, resourcing and operational delivery of all health and social care services within Argyll and Bute.
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 38 The Council places reliance on the IJB’s framework of internal controls and similarly the IJB places reliance on the procedures, policies and operational systems of the Council and the Health Board. The IJB operates within an established procedural framework. The roles and responsibilities of board members and officers are defined within Standing Orders, the Integration Scheme, Financial Regulations and Standing Financial Instructions. The IJB has proportionate internal audit arrangements in place to provide independent assurance on risk management, corporate governance and the system of internal control. A risk based internal audit plan developed and commissioned for 2023/24 and the IJB’s internal auditor has issued a formal annual report providing their independent opinion on the effectiveness of the IJB’s risk management, internal control and governance processes. The overall conclusion of the Internal Auditor is to provide a satisfactory level of assurance on the adequacy of internal controls and governance arrangements within the IJB. During 2023-24 the IJB has progressed a number of initiatives to develop its governance arrangements including improving the use of Directions and the implementation of the integrated performance management system. It has also focused upon re-mobilising services following the pandemic, refreshing its service transformation program and progressing strategic development projects. It has focused on taking action to manage strategic risks during the year. However, it is acknowledged that budgetary challenges have resulted in some key capital projects and business case development work being paused. The financial position of the HSCP has also remained stable. It repaid all of the debt it owed to the Council in 2021/22 and reported an underspend against its approved budget in 2023/24. The operating environment going forward is very challenging as funding allocations have not kept pace with cost and demand increases. The impact of an increasing older population with on-going recruitment constraints and workforce shortages is adding to the challenge. The HSCP is working to address its workforce gaps throughout the area and across many professions in a variety of ways. For example, it is seeking to address key worker accommodation shortages in partnership with the Council, Shelter and the Social Housing Sector and is constantly trying new approaches to attract workers from outside Argyll & Bute. The new Health and Care Staffing act will also be progressively implemented throughout 2024/25 which places additional duties upon the IJB to monitor, manage and report upon its staffing levels and risks. These risks and challenges are particularly acute in many of our rural and island communities which are experiencing increasing costs along with very small scale, lifeline services which are become ever more difficult to sustain or operate in a financially efficient way. The IJB approved a budget for 2024/25 which indicates that additional funding from NHS Highland may be required, although it is likely that any actual gap can be funded by the allocation of HSCP reserves. The budget is also dependent upon the allocation of non-recurring pension fund savings held by Argyll & Bute Council. The management of longer-term financial sustainability is a priority and service change and transformation plans aimed at addressing this require to be developed, consulted upon and implemented during the course of 2024/25 and 2025/26. The delivery of the short term savings plan is a priority for the HSCP particularly as it seeks to manage down spend on expensive agency and locum staff whilst maintaining the safety of services. UPDATE ON AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT IDENTIFIED IN PREVIOUS ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENTS The 2022/23 Annual Governance Statement identified a number of areas for further development. A summary update for each area is provided in the table below.
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 39 Area 2023/24 Update Continue to engage with the Scottish Government, other local authorities and our Waste PPP contractor to determine the most efficient and effective way of ensuring the Council can provide a waste solution which complies with the 2025 Bio- degradable Municipal Waste Ban We continue to pursue Scottish Government for either a derogation or financial contribution of circa £1.5M to enable the Waste PPP contract to be accommodated alongside the 2025 BMW ban. At the time of writing (30 April 2024) we are still awaiting final confirmation from Scottish Government although given the passage of time we are now working on the basis that a derogation will not be approved and are progressing discussions with Renewi for MBT plants to be converted to Waste Transfer Stations for use from January 2026 onwards, earlier if practical. Further enhance reporting of workforce planning to the Strategic Management Team Workforce planning conversations took place with Managers during January - March and operational workforce plans are now being finalised for reporting to SMT. Absence data is being included in the workforce planning risk matrix to improve reporting to SMT. Progress against actions outlined within operational workforce plans will now be reported through regular Health of the Organisation reporting to Department Management Teams and SMT. The council approved its revised People Strategy and updated strategic workforce planning priorities in February. All strategic workforce planning actions will be included in the annual People Strategy delivery plan. Continue to Improve quality and accuracy of asset information which will benefit asset valuations, calculations for utilities costs and asset management A further 57 condition surveys (7 within the school estate and 50 within the non-school estate) and in accordance with the Scottish Government’s Core Fact of Condition were commissioned in 2023/24 and output will be delivered in 2024/25. Additionally records were updated through inspections and measurements undertaken as part of the ongoing rolling programme of asset valuations. Develop data/analytics business intelligence tool The council is taking a two-pronged approach to building its capacity for business intelligence, within the framework of its new data strategy and action plan (2024-28) approved by SMT in October 2023: a) Microsoft PowerBI – PowerBI is one of the products in the Microsoft 365 (M365) productivity suite and includes some familiar aspects of Microsoft Excel but with much greater capacity to combine and visualise data from multiple sources. Since the council has a long-term plan for the adoption and utilisation of M365 it is the logical tool for data visualisation and analysis. b) The data platform – The “minimum viable product” (MVP) version of this was launched on 26/3/24 and is now available for staff to use. The Data Platform will be essential to allowing “democratised” access to data for use in PowerBI report building by services themselves. The Data Platform will also allow for access to datasets to be controlled and managed by a robust permissions framework; ensure consistent application of data quality, ethics and standards; and enable the FAIR Principles of making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re- usable.
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 40 Complete review of performance management Phase one of the Performance Excellence Project is now complete with the following deliverables: - Reduced set of Corporate Outcome Indicators to review and report on long term trends and progress against targets - Decommissioning of Pyramid and development of new Area Scorecards using MS365. - Development of a new Corporate Plan and Business Plan setting out elected members overall priorities and the activities and projects that will deliver on these. - Design and Pilot of a new approach to Self-Assessment which has been piloted at team level and thematic level. Phase Two of the project has been scoped and is now underway. Phase two of the project will involve redesign the council Performance Improvement Framework with workstreams covering planning, design of performance dashboards and the council's approach to public performance reporting. Complete the External Quality Assessment Framework The External Quality Assessment was undertaken and reported to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee. The findings were that the Internal Audit service are fully compliant with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards in all 14 areas of assessment. Two minor recommendations were made and have been fully actioned. ISSUES FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT The review of governance and internal control has identified the following areas for consideration during 2024/25, particularly in the context of continuous improvement within the Council: • Preparation for the implementation of the Visitor Levy in 2026 - Work with the Digital Office, improvement Service, City of Edinburgh and Highland Council on the development of a new digital platform for the billing and collection of the new levy. (Head of Financial Services/Head of Development and Economic Growth – March 2025). • Preparation for new processes being implemented including the practice around Initial Referral Discussions relating to child protection, there will be a need to audit and develop practice further and the development of an action plan based on the findings will help improvement and the need to consider the staffing structures which support this vital area of work. (Head of Children, Families and Justice – March 2025) • Housing Emergency declared by the Council in June 2023 - Utilise outputs from the Housing Summit held, to develop a multi-stakeholder Action Plan, and synthesise the relative elements of this into a revised Local Housing Strategy Action Programme. (Head of Development and Economic Growth – March 2025) • The revaluation of properties for building insurances purposes - Estates will undertake a revaluation programme for the general portfolio, together with a programme of recorded inspections of vacant properties. (Head of Commercial services March 2025) • Publication of the Annual Procurement Report for the Council – This will promote our obligations set out in the Procurement Regulations. (Head of Legal and Regulatory Support – March 2025) • The Licensing Board will undertake a review of its Licensing Policy statement as required in terms of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. (Head of Legal and Regulatory Support – March 2025) • The use of Cloud Storage – Following results of the Internal Audit, put in place actions to ensure optimum, appropriate and secure use of cloud storage is applied across all applications. (Head of Customer Support Services – March 2025) • Further enhance school engagement with national programmes and community partnership
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Annual Governance Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 41 approaches supporting young people to build their confidence, increase mental health awareness and promote diversity. (Head of Education, Performance & Improvement – March 2025). CONCLUSION The conclusion from the review activity outlined above and our opinion is that reasonable assurance can be placed upon the adequacy and effectiveness of Argyll and Bute Council’s systems of internal control and governance. Although areas for further improvement have been identified, the annual review demonstrates sufficient evidence that the Council’s Local Code of Corporate Governance is operating effectively and that the Council complies with that Local Code in all significant respects. Systems are in place to regularly review and improve governance and systems of internal control. Councillor Jim Lynch Pippa Milne Kirsty Flanagan Leader Chief Executive Section 95 Officer 20 December 2024 20 December 2024 20 December 2024
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The Remuneration Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 42 BACKGROUND The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI No.2014/200) require local authorities in Scotland to prepare a Remuneration Report as part of the annual statutory accounts. All information disclosed in the tables in this Remuneration Report were audited by Forvis Mazars LLP. All other sections within the Remuneration Report were reviewed by Forvis Mazars LLP to ensure it is consistent with the Financial Statements. REMUNERATION POLICY AND ARRANGEMENTS Councillors The remuneration of councillors is regulated by the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007 (SSI No 2020/26). The Regulations provide for the grading of councillors for the purposes of remuneration arrangements. There are 4 grades of councillor in each local authority for the purposes of payment of remuneration, the Leader of the Council; the Civic Head (Provost); senior councillors; and councillors. The Leader of the Council and the Provost cannot be the same person for the purposes of payment of remuneration. A senior councillor is a councillor who holds a significant position of responsibility in the Council’s political management structure. The Regulations also provide for the banding of local authorities. Argyll and Bute is in Band B and the Council has determined the level of remuneration for councillors within that banding. The salary that is to be paid to the Leader of the Council is set out in the Regulations. For 2023-24 the salary for the Leader of Argyll and Bute Council is £40,205. The Regulations permit the Council to remunerate one civic head. The Regulations set out the maximum salary that may be paid to that civic head. The Council’s civic head is the Provost and their remuneration is set at £30,154 which is the maximum allowed for local authorities in Band B. The Regulations also set out the remuneration that may be paid to senior councillors in addition to the Leader and Civic Head and the total number of senior councillors the Council may have. The maximum yearly amount that may be paid to a senior councillor is 75% of the total yearly amount payable to the Leader of the Council. The total yearly amount payable by the Council for remuneration of all its senior councillors shall not exceed £0.352m. The Council is able to exercise local flexibility in the determination of the precise number of senior councillors up to a maximum of 14 and their salary within these maximum limits. The Council’s policy is to pay a salary of £30,154 to each appointed policy lead. Chairs of Area Committees without a policy lead remit are paid a salary of £24,081. In 2023-24, Argyll and Bute Council had 11 senior councillors in the administration (excluding the Provost and the Leader). The total salary remuneration for senior councillors (excluding the Provost and the Leader) during 2023-24 was £0.313m. The Regulations also permit the Council to pay contributions or other payments as required to the Local Government Pension Scheme in respect of those councillors who elect to become councillor members of the pension scheme. Senior Employees The salary of senior employees is set by reference to national arrangements as well as local decisions on management structures and their associated remuneration levels. The Scottish Joint Negotiating Committee (SJNC) for Local Authority Services (Chief Officials) sets the salary levels for the Chief Executives of Scottish Local Authorities and also sets out the spinal column salary points for Chief Officers which local authorities can utilise in setting the salary levels for posts within their authority. Circular 2023 IR 11.23b sets the amount of salary for the Chief Executive of Argyll and Bute Council for 2023-24. The salaries of Executive Directors are paid at SCP 43 with Heads of Service being paid at SCP 29.
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The Remuneration Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 43 COUNCILLORS’ REMUNERATION Councillors’ payments are made in accordance with the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007 and The Local Government (Allowances and Expenses) (Scotland) Regulations 2007. The total amount of councillors’ remuneration paid by the Council during the year was: 2022-23 2023-24 Actual Members Allowances Actual £'000 £'000 476 Basic Councillor Salaries 464 66 Leader and Provost's Salary 70 258 Senior Councillor Salaries 313 29 Other Expenses and Allowances paid to Members 25 829 Total Allowances 872 The annual return of councillors’ salaries and expenses for 2023-24 is available for any member of the public to view at all Council libraries and public offices during normal working hours. It is also available on the Council’s website at http://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/council-and-government/councillors- and- community-councillors.
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The Remuneration Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 44 SENIOR COUNCILLORS’ REMUNERATION Additional disclosures are required for senior councillors’ remuneration. Senior councillors’ remuneration is in accordance with the Local Governance (Scotland) Act 2004 (Remuneration) Regulations 2007 which for the purpose of remuneration, grades Councillors as either the Leader of the Council, The Civic Head (Provost), senior Councillors or Councillors. Details of senior Councillors’ remuneration are as follows: 2022-23 Total Remuneration Senior Members Responsibility Salary, Fees and Allowances Taxable Expenses Total Remuneration £ £ £ £ 18,059 Councillor Garret Corner Chair of Mid Argyll, Kintyre & the Islands Area Committee from 24-11-22 24,054 - 24,054 24,932 Councillor Maurice Corry Provost from 19-05-22 30,120 - 30,120 38,254 Councillor Robin Currie Leader from 24-10-20 and Policy Lead for Strategic Development from 24-11-22 40,160 - 40,160 28,648 Councillor Kieron Green Policy Lead for Planning & Regulatory Services from 19-05-22 30,120 - 30,120 24,932 Councillor Amanda Hampsey Policy Lead for Care Services from 19-05-22 30,120 - 30,120 24,932 Councillor Andrew Kain Policy Lead for Roads and Transport and Chair of Oban, Lorn & the Isles Area Committee from 19-05-22 30,120 - 30,120 22,675 Councillor James Lynch Leader of the Largest Opposition Group from 19-05-22 24,054 - 24,054 27,554 Councillor Liz McCabe Policy Lead for Islands and Business Development and Chair of Bute & Cowal Area Committee from 19-05- 22 30,120 - 30,120 28,648 Councillor Yvonne McNeilly Policy Lead for Education 30,120 - 30,120 24,932 Councillor Ross Moreland Policy Lead for Climate Change and Environment Services from 19-05-22 30,120 - 30,120 28,648 Councillor Gary Mulvaney Depute Leader from 26-09-19 and Policy Lead for Finance and Commercial Services from 19-05-22 30,120 - 30,120 22,675 Councillor Gemma Penfold Chair of Helensburgh & Lomond Area Committee from 19-05-22 24,054 - 24,054 14,692 Councillor Alastair Redman Policy Lead for Economic Growth and Corporate Services from 24-11-22 30,120 - 30,120 2023-24 Senior Councillors’ remuneration in the tables above does not include non-taxable expenses. The values in the table above relate to the actual payments made during 2023-24 which differ slightly from those stated on page 42 due to timing differences in regards to payroll. There is no compensation/loss of office payments within the period and there were no benefits or bonuses paid during the year.
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The Remuneration Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 45 EMPLOYEES’ REMUNERATION The Regulations require that local authorities provide an analysis of the number of employees whose remuneration in the year was £50,000 or more, including those classified as senior employees who are subject to separate disclosure requirements. The definition of remuneration includes all sums paid to or receivable by an employee, expense allowances chargeable to tax and the monetary value of benefits received other than in cash. This definition therefore includes all payments made to the employee in respect of agreed employment terminations or retirements. However, employer pension contributions are excluded from the definition. Readers should be aware when making comparisons between years that, due to contractual incremental pay increases, the number of employees covered by this disclosure will increase each year. In addition, payments made in respect of agreed employment terminations or retirements can also distort the number and/or banding of employees. The number of employees whose remuneration, excluding employer pension contributions and including redundancy/retirement payments, was £50,000 or more in bands of £5,000 was: Total 652330 £115,000 - £119,999 3- £140,000 - £144,999 1- £120,000 - £124,999 -- £135,000 - £139,999 -1 £125,000 - £129,999 £130,000 - £135,000 - £105,000 - £109,999 1- £110,000 - £114,999 -2 - £95,000 - £99,999 -1 £85,000 - £89,999 131 £90,000 - £94,999 21 Range 2023-242022-23 £ Number of OfficersNumber of Officers £80,000 - £84,999 £50,000 - £54,999 303136 £60,000 - £64,999 7864 £55,000 - £59,999 10783 9 7 -- £65,000 - £69,999 7619 £75,000 - £79,999 173 £70,000 - £74,999 439 £100,000 - £104,999 11
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The Remuneration Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 46 SENIOR EMPLOYEES’ REMUNERATION The table below provides details of the remuneration paid to the Council’s senior employees. This is defined by the regulations as; • someone who has responsibility for the management of the organisation, • occupy a position which is politically restricted, or • any additional employee whose annual remuneration is £150,000 or more (remuneration includes salary, non-cash benefits and any lump sum payment for loss of employment) The following table sets out the remuneration disclosures for 2023-24 for senior officers: Total Remuneration 2022-23 Post Holder Salary (Including Fees and Allowances) Taxable Expenses Total Remuneration 2023-24 £ £ £ £ 138,877 Chief Executive - Pippa Milne 143,625 510 144,135 112,406 Executive Director - Douglas Hendry 118,208 443 118,651 112,160 Executive Director, Section 95 Financial Officer - Kirsty Flanagan 118,064 573 118,637 84,180 Head of Children and Families and Criminal Justice (Section 3 Social Work Officer) - David Gibson 89,237 89,237 The following table sets out the remuneration disclosures for 2023-24 for Live Argyll: Total Remuneration 2022-23 Post Holder Salary (Including Fees and Allowances) Taxable Expenses Total Remuneration 2023-24 £ £ £ £ 84,180 Live Argyll General Manager (Subsidiary of Argyll & Bute Council) - Kevin Anderson 89,237 - 89,237
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The Remuneration Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 47 PENSION BENEFITS Pension benefits for councillors and local government employees are provided through the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). Councillors’ pension benefits are based on career average pay. A Councillor’s pay for pension purposes for each year or part year ending 31 March (other than the pay in the final year commencing 1 April) is increased by the increase in the cost of living, as measured by the appropriate index (or indices) between the end of that year and the last day of the month in which their membership of the scheme ends. The total of the revalued pay is then divided by the period of membership to calculate the career average pay. This is the value used to calculate the pension benefits. Local government employees had a final salary pension scheme prior to 1 April 2015. This means that pension benefits are based on the final year’s pay and the number of years that person has been a member of the scheme. As of 1 April 2015, local government employees are now part of a defined benefit pension scheme worked out on a career average basis. Benefits accumulated are calculated using pensionable pay each scheme year, rather than final salary. All benefits accumulated prior to 1 April 2015 are protected. A five-tier contribution system is in place with contributions from scheme members based on how much pay falls into each tier. This is designed to give more equality between the costs and benefits of scheme membership. The tiers and members contribution rates for 2023-24 are as follows: Whole time pay Contribution Rate 2023-24 On earnings up to and including £25,300 5.50% On earnings above £25,301 and up to £31,000 7.25% On earnings above £31,001 and up to £42,500 8.50% On earnings above £42,501 and up to £56,600 9.50% On earnings of £56,601 and above 12.00% From 1 April 2015, if a person works part-time their contribution is worked out on their part-time pay rate for the job. Prior to this, if a person worked part-time, their contribution rate was worked out on the whole- time pay rate for the job with actual contributions paid on actual pay earned. There is no automatic entitlement to a lump sum. Members may opt to give up (commute) pension for a lump sum up to the limit set by the Finance Act 2004. From 1 April 2015, benefits are calculated on the basis of a revalued annual pension built up of 1/49th of pensionable pay each year, plus inflation to keep up with the cost of living. Prior to this date, the accrual rate guaranteed a pension based on 1/60th of final pensionable salary and years of pensionable service. Prior to 2009 the accrual rate guaranteed a pension based on 1/80th and a lump sum based on 3/80th of final pensionable salary and years of pensionable service. The value of the accrued benefits has been calculated on the basis of the age at which the person will first become entitled to receive a full pension on retirement without reduction on account of its payment at that age; without exercising any option to commute pension entitlement into a lump sum; and without any adjustment for the effects of future inflation.
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The Remuneration Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 48 SENIOR COUNCILLORS’ PENSION BENEFITS The pension entitlements for senior councillors for the year to 31 March 2024 are shown in the table below, together with the contribution made by the Council to each senior Councillor’s pension during the year. The pension benefits shown relate to the benefits that the individual has accrued as a consequence of their relevant local government service and not just their current appointment. In-year pension contributions Accrued pension benefits Senior Members In-year pension contributions Accrued pension benefits £ £'000 £ £'000 3,485 - Councillor Garret Corner Pension 4,642 1 - Lump Sum - 4,812 1 Councillor Maurice Corry Pension 5,813 1 - Lump Sum - 7,383 8 Councillor Robin Currie Pension 7,751 10 1 Lump Sum 1 5,529 4 Councillor Kieron Green Pension 5,813 5 Lump Sum - 4,812 1 Councillor Amanda Hampsey Pension 5,813 1 - Lump Sum - 4,812 1 Councillor Andrew Kain Pension 5,813 1 - Lump Sum - 4,376 2 Councillor James Lynch Pension 4,642 3 - Lump Sum - 5,318 1 Councillor Liz McCabe Pension 5,813 2 - Lump Sum - 5,529 3 Councillor Yvonne McNeilly Pension 5,813 4 Lump Sum - 4,812 - Councillor Ross Moreland Pension 5,813 1 - Lump Sum - 5,529 8 Councillor Gary Mulvaney Pension 5,813 9 2 Lump Sum 2 4,376 1 Councillor Gemma Penfold Pension 4,642 1 - Lump Sum - 2,836 2 Councillor Alastair Redman Pension 5,813 1 Lump Sum - For the year to 31 March 2023 For the year to 31 March 2024
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The Remuneration Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 49 SENIOR EMPLOYEES’ PENSION BENEFITS The pension entitlements for senior employees for the year to 31 March 2024 are shown in the table below, together with the contribution made by the Council to each senior employee’s pension during the year. The pension benefits shown relate to the benefits that the individual has accrued as a consequence of their relevant local government service and not just their current appointment. In-year pension contributions Accrued pension benefits Senior Officers In-year pension contributions Accrued pension benefits £ £'000 £ £'000 26,709 70 Pension 27,699 75 111 Lump Sum 111 21,495 66 Pension 22,786 70 112 Lump Sum 112 21,495 37 Pension 22,786 41 32 Lump Sum 32 16,247 8 Head of Children and Families and Criminal Justice (Section 3 Social Work Officer) - David Gibson Pension 17,223 40 Lump Sum - For the year to 31 March 2023 For the year to 31 March 2024 Chief Executive - Pippa Milne Executive Director - Douglas Hendry Executive Director, Section 95 Financial Officer - Kirsty Flanagan Live Argyll Senior Employees’ Pension Benefits In-year pension contributions Accrued pension benefits Senior Officers In-year pension contributions Accrued pension benefits £ £'000 £ £'000 16,247 33 Pension 17,223 37 38 Lump Sum 40 For the year to 31 March 2024 Live Argyll General Manager (Subsidiary of Argyll & Bute Council) - Kevin Anderson For the year to 31 March 2023
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The Remuneration Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________ Page 50 EMPLOYEE EXIT PACKAGES The numbers of exit packages with cost per band for compulsory and other redundancies are set out in the table below: Exit Package Cost Band No £ No £ No £ No £ No £ No £ 1 4,038 2 30,305 3 34,343 £0 - £20,000 2 13,896 - - 2 13,896 1 38,924 2 55,403 3 94,327 £20,001 - £40,000 - - - - - - - - £40,001 - £60,000 - - - - - - 1 88,038 1 88,038 £60,001 - £80,000 - - - - - - - - £80,001 - £100,000 - - - - - - 1 137,037 1 106,165 2 243,202 £100,001 - £150,000 1 134,437 1 127,350 2 261,787 1 161,869 1 161,869 £150,001 - £200,000 - - - - - - 4 341,868 6 279,911 10 621,779 3 148,333 1 127,350 4 275,683 2022-23 2023-24 Compulsory Redundancies Other Departures Total Compulsory Redundancies Other Departures Total For the purposes of this note, Exit Packages include: • Redundancy payment; • Strain on the fund cost (the amount which the Council is required to pay to the pension fund because the employee has retired before the assumed retirement age); • Added Years Lump Sum (the amount which the Council pays to the individual in a one-off lump sum, according to the compensatory added years awarded – maximum three years); and • A capitalised value of the recurring Compensatory Added Years payment. This represents the amount which the Council has to pay to the pension fund because the employee has retired with enhanced service (maximum three years). This amount is paid on an annual basis once a person has left employment with the Council and is therefore a notional cost at 31 March 2024. Termination costs for all Council employees who have accepted redundancy by 31 March 2024 are recognised in the Exit Packages note in 2023-24, or in previous financial years. The total cost recognised in the Exit Packages note in 2023-24 is £0.276m for 4 employees and in 2022- 23 was £0.622m for 10 employees. The supplementary Termination Benefits Note 35 provides more information. FACILITY TIME STATEMENT Under the Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations 2017, the Council is required to collect and publish data in relation to its usage and spend of trade union facility time in respect of employees who are trade union representatives. Full details for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 are attached at Appendix A.
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Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________________________________________________ Page 51 Gross Expenditure Gross Income Net Expenditure Gross Expenditure Gross Income Net Expenditure £'000 £'000 £'000 Service Note £'000 £'000 £'000 26,810 18,209 8,601 Chief Executive and Financial Services 1,281 95 1,186 Executive Director Douglas Hendry 436 - 436 Executive Director 427 - 427 33,399 4,250 29,149 Commercial Services 23,010 3,857 19,153 106,026 13,620 92,406 Education 114,124 13,202 100,922 15,942 4,371 11,571 Legal and Regulatory Support 17,520 4,241 13,279 Executive Director Kirsty Flanagan 418 - 418 Executive Director 242 - 242 Financial Services 25,613 18,639 6,974 11,859 674 11,185 Customer Support Services 12,165 534 11,631 25,256 14,380 10,876 Development and Economic Growth 23,138 13,849 9,289 71,971 24,491 47,480 Roads and Infrastructure 75,990 29,300 46,690 - - 174,434 94,948 79,486 Social Work 181,285 103,209 78,076 9,897 2,303 7,594 Other Non-Departmental Costs 10,075 678 9,397 476,448 177,246 299,202 Net Cost of Services 484,870 187,604 297,266 2022-23 2023-24
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Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _______________________________________________________________________________________ Page 52 Other Operating Income and Expenditure: (437) Net (Gain)/loss on Disposal of Long Term Assets (262) 1,643 Other Operating Income and Expenditure 8 1,670 1,206 Total Other Operating Income and Expenditure 1,408 Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure: 10,514 Interest Payable and Similar charges 14,037 (2,966) Interest and Investment Income (4,779) 141 Net Pension Interest Expense (6,596) 7,689 Total Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure 2,662 Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income: (191,775) General Government Grants (187,193) (22,549) Government Capital Grants and Other Capital Contributions 13 (23,550) (33,179) Non-domestic Rates Redistribution (37,645) (647) Non-domestic Rates TIF (804) (53,900) Council Tax Income (61,909) (302,050) Total Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income (311,101) 6,047 (Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services 7.1 (9,765) (21,104) (Surplus)/Deficit on revaluation of Long Term Assets (10,097) (154,350) Other Post Employment Benefits (Pensions) 31.2 164,914 (175,454) Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 154,817 (169,407) Total Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 145,052 This statement shows the accounting cost in the year of providing services in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices, rather than the amount to be funded from taxation. Councils raise taxation to cover expenditure in accordance with regulations; this may be different from the accounting cost. The taxation position is shown in the Statement of Movement in Reserves.
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Balance Sheet www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _________________________________________________ Page 53 £'000 £'000 Note £'000 £'000 Long Term Assets Property Plant & Equipment 15 451,018 - Other Land and Buildings 457,369 10,872 - Vehicles, Plant, Furniture and Equipment 11,012 235,076 - Infrastructure Assets 239,372 8,892 - Community Assets 9,110 3,286 - Surplus Assets 4,620 21,440 - Assets Under Construction 35,724 730,584 Total Property Plant & Equipment 757,207 2,345 Heritage Assets 16 2,569 733 Intangible Assets 17 888 2,553 Investment Property 18 2,514 5,492 Long Term Investments 27 492 5,880 Long-Term Debtors 22 5,816 139,014 Other Long Term Debtors (Pensions) 31 - 886,601 Total Long Term Assets 769,486 Current Assets 1,130 Inventories 1,043 27,186 Short Term Debtors (Net of Impairment) 23 38,368 1,554 Assets Held for Sale 24 1,619 60,000 Short Term Investments 27,500 823 Cash and Cash Equivalents 25 (9,991) 90,693 Total Current Assets 58,539 Current Liabilities (11,818) Short-term Borrowing 27 (13,478) (50,044) Short-term Creditors 26 (52,374) (1,450) Provisions 29 (1,665) (5,280) Other Short Term Liabilities 28 (5,336) (68,592) Total Current Liabilities (72,853) Long-term Liabilities (132,155) Borrowing Repayable within a Period in Excess of 12 Months 27 (107,458) (107,033) Other Long-term liabilities 28 (101,697) - Other Long-term liabilities (Pensions) 31 (19,578) (2,444) Provisions 29 (2,855) - Capital Grant Receipts in Advance 30 (1,564) (241,632) Total Long-term Liabilities (233,152) 667,070 Total Assets less Liabilities 522,020 31 March 202431 March 2023
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Balance Sheet www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _________________________________________________ Page 54 The Balance Sheet is a snapshot of the value as at the 31 March 2024 of the assets and liabilities recognised by the Council. The net assets of the Council (assets less liabilities) are matched by the reserves held by the Council. Reserves are reported as follows: • Unusable Reserves: are reserves that the Council is not able to use to provide services. This category of reserves includes reserves that hold unrealised gains and losses (for example the revaluation reserve), where amounts would only become available to provide services if the assets are sold and reserves that hold timing differences shown in the Movement in Reserves Statement line “Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis under regulations”. • Usable Reserves: are reserves that the Council may use to provide services, subject to the need to maintain a prudent level of reserves and statutory limitations on their use (for example the capital receipts reserve that may only be used to fund capital expenditure or repay debt). The Unaudited Annual Accounts were issued on 27 June 2024 and the Audited Annual Accounts were authorised for issue on 20 December 2024. Kirsty Flanagan Section 95 Officer 20 December 2024 £'000 £'000 Note £'000 £'000 Unusable Reserves 32 174,952 - Revaluation Reserve 180,661 268,788 - Capital Adjustment Account 249,093 (1,871) - Financial Instruments Adjustment Account (1,585) 139,014 - Pensions Reserve (19,578) (7,588) - Accumulated Absences Account (8,272) 573,295 400,319 Usable Reserves 33 4,503 - Capital Funds 3,197 2,916 - Repairs and Renewals Funds 2,763 86,356 - General Fund Balance 115,741 93,775 121,701 667,070 Total Reserves 522,020 31 March 202431 March 2023
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Statement of Movement in Reserves www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 55 Unusable Reserves (Note 32) Movements in 2023-24 General Fund Balance Repairs and Renewals Fund Capital Funds Total Usable Reserves Revaluation Reserve Capital Adjustment Account Pensions Reserve Financial Instrument Adjustment Account Accumu- lated Absences Account Total Unusable Reserves Total Reserves £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 31 March 2023 (86,356) (2,916) (4,503) (93,775) (174,952) (268,788) (139,014) 1,871 7,588 (573,295) (667,070) (Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services (9,765) (9,765) - (9,765) Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure - (10,097) 164,914 154,817 154,817 Retrospective adjustment to the statutory repayment of debt for service concession arrangements - permitted flexibility (36,038) (36,038) 36,038 36,038 - Total Comprehensive Income and Expenditure (45,803) - - (45,803) (10,097) 36,038 164,914 - - 190,855 145,052 Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis under regulations: Disposal of Assets 99 (99) Amortisation of Intangible Assets - - - - Depreciation of Non-current Assets (21,443) (21,443) 21,443 21,443 - Impairment of Non-current Assets 2,576 2,576 (2,576) (2,576) - Capital Grants and Contributions credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement 23,550 23,550 (23,550) (23,550) - Capital Expenditure Charged to the General Fund 1,616 1,616 (1,616) (1,616) - Net Gain or Loss on Sale of Non-current Assets 262 (671) (409) 409 409 - Amount by which finance costs calculated in accordance with the Code are different from the amount of finance costs calculated in accordance with statutory requirements 286 286 (286) (286) - Employee Benefits (684) (684) 684 684 - Amount by which pension costs calculated in accordance with the Code are different from the contributions due under pension scheme regulations 6,322 6,322 (6,322) (6,322) - Usable Reserves (Note 33)
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Statement of Movement in Reserves www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 56 Unusable Reserves (Note 32) Movements in 2023-24 General Fund Balance Repairs and Renewals Fund Capital Funds Total Usable Reserves Revaluation Reserve Capital Adjustment Account Pensions Reserve Financial Instrument Adjustment Account Accumu- lated Absences Account Total Unusable Reserves Total Reserves £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Statutory Repayment of Debt - Loans Fund Advances 7,696 7,696 (7,696) (7,696) - Statutory Repayment of Debt - Finance Leases 48 48 (48) (48) - Statutory Repayment of Debt - NPDO Finance Lease Liability 5,232 5,232 (5,232) (5,232) - In year adjustment to the statutory repayment of debt for service concession arrangements - permitted flexibility (4,831) (4,831) 4,831 4,831 - Total Statutory Adjustments 20,630 - (671) 19,959 99 (14,134) (6,322) (286) 684 (19,959) - Net (Increase)/Decrease before Transfers to Other Statutory Reserves (25,173) - (671) (25,844) (9,998) 21,904 158,592 (286) 684 170,896 145,052 Transfer to/from Other Statutory Reserves 77 153 1,977 2,207 (2,207) (2,207) - Adjustments permitted by Accounting Standards for depreciation that is related to the revaluation balance rather than historic cost (4,289) (4,289) 4,289 4,289 - (Increase)/Decrease in Year (29,385) 153 1,306 (27,926) (5,709) 19,697 158,592 (286) 684 172,976 145,052 Balance at 31 March 2024 Carried Forward (115,741) (2,763) (3,197) (121,701) (180,661) (249,093) 19,578 1,585 8,272 (400,319) (522,020) Other Transfers required by Statute Usable Reserves (Note 33) Other Transfers This Statement shows the movement in the 2023-24 financial year on the different reserves held by the Council, analysed into ‘Usable Reserves’ (i.e. those that can be applied to fund expenditure or reduce local taxation) and “Unusable Reserves”. The ‘(Surplus)/Deficit on the Provision of Services’ line shows the true economic cost of providing the Council’s services, more details of which are shown in Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. These are different from the statutory amounts required to be charged to the General Fund Balance for Council Tax setting purposes. The ‘Net (Increase)/Decrease before Transfers to Other Statutory Reserves’ line shows the Statutory General Fund Balance before any discretionary transfers to or from earmarked reserves undertaken by the Council.
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Statement of Movement in Reserves www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 57 Unusable Reserves (Note 32) Comparative Movements in 2022-23 General Fund Balance Repairs and Renewals Fund Capital Funds Total Usable Reserves Revaluation Reserve Capital Adjustment Account Pensions Reserve Financial Instrument Adjustment Account Accumu- lated Absences Account Total Unusable Reserves Total Reserves £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 31 March 2022 (96,081) (2,682) (4,414) (103,177) (157,644) (241,331) (4,634) 2,198 6,928 (394,483) (497,660) (Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services 6,047 6,047 - 6,047 Other Comprehensive Expenditure and Income (21,104) (154,350) (175,454) (175,454) Total Comprehensive Expenditure and Income 6,047 - - 6,047 (21,104) - (154,350) - - (175,454) (169,407) Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis under regulations: Disposal of Assets 173 (173) Amortisation of Intangible Assets - - - Depreciation and of Non-current Assets (20,947) (20,947) 20,947 20,947 - Impairment of Non-current Assets (3,128) (3,128) 3,128 3,128 - Capital Grants and Contributions credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement 22,549 22,549 (22,549) (22,549) - Capital Expenditure Charged to the General Fund 2,938 2,938 (2,938) (2,938) - Net Gain or Loss on Sale of Non-current Assets 437 (568) (131) 131 131 - Amount by which finance costs calculated in accordance with the Code are different from the amount of finance costs calculated in accordance with statutory requirements 327 327 (327) (327) - Employee Benefits (660) (660) 660 660 - Amount by which pension costs calculated in accordance with the Code are different from the contributions due under pension scheme regulations (19,970) (19,970) 19,970 19,970 - Usable Reserves (Note 33)
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Statement of Movement in Reserves www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 58 Unusable Reserves (Note 32) Comparative Movements in 2022-23 General Fund Balance Repairs and Renewals Fund Capital Funds Total Usable Reserves Revaluation Reserve Capital Adjustment Account Pensions Reserve Financial Instrument Adjustment Account Accumu- lated Absences Account Total Unusable Reserves Total Reserves £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Statutory Repayment of Debt - Loans Fund Advances 20,317 20,317 (20,317) (20,317) - Statutory Repayment of Debt - Finance Leases 46 46 (46) (46) - Statutory Repayment of Debt - NPDO Finance Lease Liability 5,070 5,070 (5,070) (5,070) - Total Statutory Adjustments 6,979 - (568) 6,411 173 (26,887) 19,970 (327) 660 (6,411) - Net (Increase)/Decrease before Transfers to Other Statutory Reserves 13,026 - (568) 12,458 (20,931) (26,887) (134,380) (327) 660 (181,865) (169,407) Transfer to/from Other Statutory Reserves 322 (234) 480 568 (568) (568) - Adjustments permitted by Accounting Standards for depreciation that is related to the revaluation balance rather than historic cost (3,623) (3,623) 3,623 3,623 - (Increase)/Decrease in Year 9,725 (234) (88) 9,403 (17,308) (27,455) (134,380) (327) 660 (178,810) (169,407) Balance at 31 March 2023 Carried Forward (86,356) (2,916) (4,503) (93,775) (174,952) (268,788) (139,014) 1,871 7,588 (573,295) (667,070) Other Transfers required by Statute Usable Reserves (Note 33) Other Transfers This Statement shows the movement in the 2022-23 financial year on the different reserves held by the Council, analysed into ‘Usable Reserves’ (i.e. those that can be applied to fund expenditure or reduce local taxation) and “Unusable Reserves”. The ‘(Surplus)/Deficit on the Provision of Services’ line shows the true economic cost of providing the Council’s services, more details of which are shown in Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. These are different from the statutory amounts required to be charged to the General Fund Balance for Council Tax setting purposes. The ‘Net (Increase)/Decrease before Transfers to Other Statutory Reserves’ line shows the Statutory General Fund Balance before any discretionary transfers to or from earmarked reserves undertaken by the Council.
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Cash Flow Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 59 The Cash Flow Statement shows the changes in cash and cash equivalents of the Council during the reporting period. The statement shows how the Council generates and uses cash and cash equivalents by classifying cash flows as operating, investing and financing activities. The amounts of net cash flow arising from operating activities is a key indicator of the extent to which the operations of the Council are funded by way of taxation and grant income or from the recipients of services provided by the Council. Investing activities represent the extent to which cash outflows have been made for resources which are intended to contribute to the Council’s future service delivery. Cash flows arising from financing activities are useful in predicting claims on future cash flows by providers of capital (i.e. borrowing) to the Council. 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 Note £'000 6,047 Net (Surplus)/Deficit on the Provision of Services (9,765) (21,310) Adjustments to net surplus or deficit on the provision of services for non-cash movements 21,585 5,955 Adjustments for items included in the net surplus or deficit on the provision of services that are investing and financing activities 10,294 (9,308) Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities 39 22,114 (14,323) Net Cash Flows from Investing Activities 40 (38,637) 42,536 Net Cash Flows from Financing Activities 41 27,337 18,905 Net (Increase)/Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents 10,814 (19,728) Cash and Cash Equivalents at the beginning of the Reporting Period (823) (823) Cash and Cash Equivalents at the end of the Reporting Period 25 9,991
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 60 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 1.1 General Principles The Annual Accounts summarise the Council’s transactions for the 2023-24 financial year and its position at the year-end of 31 March 2024. The Council must ensure that its Annual Accounts are prepared in accordance with The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, which section 12 of the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 require to be prepared in accordance with proper accounting practices. These practices primarily comprise the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023-24, supported by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and statutory guidance issued under section 12 of the 2003 Act. The accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention, other than changes resulting from the revaluation of certain categories of non-current assets and financial instruments, and on a going concern basis. The accounting policies adopted are set out below and have been applied consistently throughout the year in dealing with any items that are considered material to the accounts. 1.2 Accruals of Income and Expenditure Activity is accounted for in the year that it takes place, not simply when cash payments are made or received. In particular: • Revenue from contracts with service recipients, whether for services or the provision of goods, is recognised when (or as) the goods or services are transferred to the service recipient in accordance with the performance obligations in the contract. • Supplies are recorded as expenditure when they are consumed – where there is a gap between the date supplies are received and their consumption; they are carried as inventories on the Balance Sheet. • Expenses in relation to services received (including services provided by employees) are recorded as expenditure when the services are received rather than when payments are made. • Interest receivable on investments and payable on borrowings is accounted for respectively as income and expenditure on the basis of the effective interest rate for the relevant financial instrument rather than the cash flows fixed or determined by the contract. • Where revenue and expenditure have been recognised but cash has not been received or paid, a debtor or creditor for the relevant amount is recorded in the Balance Sheet. Where debts may not be settled, the balance of debtors is written down and a charge made to revenue for the income that might not be collected. 1.3 Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty of notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are investments that mature in three months or less from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value. In the Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Council’s cash management. 1.4 Prior Period Adjustments, Changes in Accounting Policies, Estimates and Errors Prior period adjustments may arise as a result of a change in accounting policies or to correct a material error. Changes in accounting estimates are accounted for prospectively, i.e. in the current and future years affected by the change and do not give rise to a prior period adjustment. Changes in accounting policies are only made when required by proper accounting practices or the
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 61 change provides more reliable or relevant information about the effect of transactions, other events and conditions on the Council’s financial position or financial performance. Where a change is made, it is applied retrospectively by adjusting opening balances and comparative amounts for the prior period as if the new policy had always been applied.Material errors discovered in prior period figures are corrected retrospectively by amending opening balances and comparative amounts for the prior period. 1.5 Charges to Revenue for Non-Current Assets Services, support services and trading accounts are debited with the following amounts to record the cost of holding non-current assets during the year: • Depreciation attributable to the assets used by the relevant service. • Revaluation and impairment losses on assets used by the service where there are no accumulated gains in the Revaluation Reserve against which the losses can be written off. • Amortisation of intangible fixed assets attributable to the service. The council is not required to raise Council Tax to fund depreciation, revaluation and impairment losses or amortisation. However, it is required to make an annual contribution from revenue towards the reduction in its overall borrowing requirement equal to an amount calculated on a prudent basis determined by the Council in accordance with the Statutory Repayment of Loans Fund Advances. Depreciation, revaluation and impairment losses and amortisation are therefore replaced by Loans Fund principal repayments in the General Fund Balance by way of an adjusting transaction within the Capital Adjustment Account in the Movement in Reserves Statement for the difference between the two. 1.6 Employee Benefits 1.6.1 Benefits Payable during Employment Short-term employee benefits are those due to be settled wholly within 12 months of the year-end. They include such benefits as wages and salaries, paid annual leave, paid sick leave and non-monetary benefits (e.g. cars) for current employees. These benefits are recognised as an expense for services in the year in which employees render service to the Council. An accrual is made for the cost of holiday entitlements earned by employees but not taken before the year-end which employees can carry forward into the next financial year. The accrual is made at the wage and salary rates applicable in the following accounting year, being the period in which the employee takes the benefit. The accrual is charged to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services, but then reversed out through the Movement in Reserves Statement so that holiday entitlements are charged to revenue in the financial year in which the holiday absence occurs. 1.6.2 Termination Benefits Termination benefits are amounts payable as a result of a decision by the Council to terminate an officer’s employment before the normal retirement date or an officer’s decision to accept voluntary redundancy. They are charged on an accruals basis to the appropriate service segment in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement at the earlier of when the Council can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits or when the Council recognised costs for a restructuring. Where termination benefits involve the enhancement of pensions, statutory provisions require the General Fund Balance to be charged with the amount payable by the Council to the pension fund or pensioner in the year, not the amount calculated according to the relevant accounting standards. In the Movement in Reserves Statement, appropriations are required to and from the Pensions Reserve to remove the notional debits and credits for pension enhancement termination benefits and replace them with debits for the cash paid to the pension fund and pensioners and any such amounts payable but unpaid at the year-end.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 62 1.6.3 Post-Employment Benefits The Council participates in two separate pension schemes: • The Scottish Teachers’ Pension Scheme administered by the Scottish Government. • The Local Government (Scotland) Pensions Scheme administered by the Strathclyde Pension Fund. Both schemes provide defined benefits to members (retirement lump sums and pensions), earned while employees work for the Council. However, the arrangements for the teachers’ scheme mean that liabilities for these benefits cannot ordinarily be identified specifically to the Council. The scheme is therefore accounted for as if it were a defined contribution scheme. No liability for future payments of benefits is recognised in the Balance Sheet and the Education Services line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is charged with the employer’s contributions payable to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme in the year. Local Government Pension Scheme The Local Government Pension Scheme is accounted for as a defined benefits scheme: • The liabilities of the Strathclyde Pension Fund attributable to the Council are included in the Balance Sheet on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method – i.e. an assessment of the future payments that will be made in relation to retirement benefits earned to date by employees, based on assumptions about mortality rates, employee turnover rates and projected earnings for current employees. • Liabilities are discounted to their value at current prices, using a discount rate of 4.8% (based on the indicative rate of return on a “high quality corporate bond of equivalent term and currency to the liability” (as measured by the yield on iBoxx Sterling Corporates Index, AA over 15 years)). • The assets of the Strathclyde Pension Fund attributable to the Council are included in the Balance Sheet at their fair value: ▪ quoted securities – current bid price ▪ unquoted securities – professional estimate ▪ unitised securities – current bid price ▪ property – market value The change in the net pension’s liability is analysed into the following components: • Service cost comprising: ▪ Current service cost – the increase in liabilities as a result of years of service earned this year - allocated in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement to the services for which the employees worked. ▪ Past service cost – the increase in liabilities as a result of a scheme amendment or curtailment whose effect relates to years of service earned in earlier years, debited to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. ▪ Net interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset), i.e. net interest expense for the Council – the change during the period in the net defined benefit liability (asset) that arises from the passage of time charged to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line of the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. This is calculated by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the period to the net defined benefit liability (asset) at
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 63 the beginning of the period, taking into account any changes in the net defined liability (asset) during the period as a result of contribution and benefit payments. • Re-measurements comprising: ▪ The return on plan assets – excluding amounts included in the net interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset), charged to the Pension Reserve as Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure. ▪ Actuarial gains and losses – changes in the net pensions liability that arise because events have not coincided with assumptions made at the last actuarial valuation or because the actuaries have updated their assumptions, charged to the Pensions Reserve. ▪ Contributions paid to the Strathclyde Pension Fund – cash paid as employer’s contributions to the pension fund in settlement of liabilities; not accounted for as an expense. In relation to retirement benefits, statutory provisions require the General Fund Balance to be charged with the amount payable by the Council to the pension fund or directly to pensioners in the year, not the amount calculated according to the relevant accounting standards. In the Movement in Reserves Statement, this means that there are transfers to and from the Pensions Reserve to remove the notional debits and credits for retirement benefits and replace them with debits for the cash paid to the pension fund and pensioners and any such amounts payable to the fund but unpaid at the year-end. The negative balance that arises on the Pensions Reserve thereby measures the beneficial impact to the General Fund of being required to account for retirement benefits on the basis of cash flows rather than as benefits earned by employees. 1.6.4 Post Employment Discretionary Benefits The Council also has restricted powers to make discretionary awards of retirements benefits in the event of early retirements. Any liabilities estimated to arise as a result of an award to any member of staff (including teachers) are accrued in the year of the decision to make the award and accounted for using the same policies as are applied to the Local Government Pension Scheme. 1.7 Events after the Reporting Period Events after the Balance Sheet date are those events, both favourable and unfavourable, that occur between the end of the reporting period and the date when the Annual Accounts are authorised for issue. Two types of events can be identified: • Those that provide evidence of conditions that existed at the end of the reporting period – the Annual Accounts are adjusted to reflect such events. • Those that are indicative of conditions that arose after the reporting period – the Annual Accounts are not adjusted to reflect such events, but where a category of events would have a material impact, disclosure is made in the notes of the nature of the events and their estimated financial effect. Events taking place after the date of authorisation for issue are not reflected in the Annual Accounts. 1.8 Financial Liabilities Financial liabilities are recognised on the Balance Sheet when the Council becomes party to the contractual provisions of a financial instrument and initially measured at fair value and carried at their amortised cost. Annual charges to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement for interest payable are based on the carrying value of the liability, multiplied by the effective rate of interest for the instrument. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments over the life of the instrument to the amount at which it was originally recognised.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 64 For most of the borrowings that the Council has, this means that the amount presented in the Balance Sheet is the outstanding principal repayable (plus accrued interest) and interest charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is the amount payable for the year according to the loan agreement. Gains and losses on the repurchase or early settlement of borrowing are credited and debited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement in the year of repurchase/settlement. However, where repurchase has taken place as part of the restructuring of the loan portfolio that involves the modification or exchange of existing instruments, the premium or discount is respectively deducted from or added to the amortised cost of the new or modified loan and the write-down to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is spread over the life of the loan by an adjustment to the effective interest rate. Where premiums and discounts have been charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, regulations allow the impact on the General Fund Balance to be spread over future years. The Council has a policy of spreading the gain/loss over the term that was remaining on the loan against which the premium was payable or discount receivable when it was repaid. The reconciliation of amounts charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement to the net charge required against the General Fund Balance is managed by a transfer to or from the Financial Instruments Adjustment Account in the Movement in Reserves Statement. 1.9 Financial Assets Financial assets are classified based on a classification and measurement approach that reflects the business model for holding the financial assets and their cashflow characteristics. There are three main classes of financial assets measured at: • Amortised cost • Fair value through profit or loss, and • Fair value through other comprehensive income The Council’s business model is to hold investments to collect contractual cash flows. Financial assets are therefore classified as amortised cost, except for those whose contractual payments are not solely payment of principal and interest (i.e. where the cash flows do not take the form of a basic debt instrument). Financial Assets Measured at Amortised Cost Financial assets measured at amortised cost are recognised on the Balance Sheet when the Council becomes a party to the contractual provisions of a financial instrument and are initially measured at fair value. They are subsequently measured at their amortised cost. Annual credits to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement for interest receivable are based on the carrying amount of the asset multiplied by the effective rate of interest for the instrument. For most of the financial assets held by the Council, this means that the amount presented in the Balance Sheet is the outstanding principal receivable (plus accrued interest) and interest credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is the amount receivable for the year in the loan agreement. Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Financial assets that are measured at fair value through profit or loss are recognised on the Balance Sheet when the Council becomes a party to the contractual provisions of a financial instrument and are initially measured and carried at fair value. Fair value gains and losses are recognised as they arrive in the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services. The fair value measurements of the financial assets are based on the following techniques: • Instruments with quoted market prices – the market price
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 65 • Other instruments with fixed and determinable payments – discounted cash flow analysis The inputs to the measurement techniques are categorised in accordance with the following three levels: • Level 1 inputs – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for the identical assets that the Council can access at the measurement date. • Level 2 inputs – inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly. • Level 3 inputs – unobservable inputs for the asset. Any gains and losses that arise on the derecognition of the asset are credited or debited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Expected Credit Loss Model The Council recognises expected credit losses on all of its financial assets held at amortised cost, either on a 12-month or lifetime basis. The expected credit loss model also applies to lease receivables and contract assets. Only lifetime losses are recognised for trade receivables (debtors) held by the Council. 1.10 Government Grants and Contributions Whether paid on account, by instalments or in arrears, government grants and third-party contributions and donations are recognised as due to the Council when there is reasonable assurance that: • The Council will comply with the conditions attached to the payments; and • The grants or contributions will be received. Amounts recognised as due to the Council are not credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement until conditions attached to the grant or contribution have been satisfied. Conditions are stipulations that specify that the future economic benefits or service potential embodied in the asset in the form of the grant or contribution are required to be consumed by the recipient as specified, or future economic benefits or service potential must be returned to the transferor. Monies advanced as grants and contributions for which conditions have been satisfied are carried in the Balance Sheet as creditors. When conditions are satisfied, the grant or contribution is credited to the relevant service line (attributable revenue grants and contributions) or Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income and Expenditure (non-ringfenced revenue grants and all capital grants) in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Where capital grants are credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, they are reversed out of the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement. Where the grant has yet to be used to finance capital expenditure, it is posted to the Capital Grants Unapplied Account. Where it has been applied, it is posted to the Capital Adjustment Account. Amounts in the Capital Grants Unapplied Account are transferred to the Capital Adjustment Account once they have been applied to fund capital expenditure. 1.11 Heritage Assets The main heritage assets held by the Council are two art collections, an archaeology collection and a historic jail and courthouse which is operated as a “living” museum. The “Argyll Collection” is an art collection which was set up to provide the young people of Argyll and Bute with direct access to a wide range of quality art recognising that they had limited access to museums and galleries. In addition, the Council holds other works of art which are held at various libraries and the Campbeltown Museum. Heritage Assets are recognised and measured (including the treatment of revaluation gains and losses) in accordance with the Council’s accounting policies on property, plant and equipment. However, some of the measurement rules are relaxed in relation to heritage assets as detailed below. The Council’s main heritage assets are accounted for as follows:
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 66 The Art Collections The collections cover a range of media including acrylic, charcoal, embroidery, engraving, etching, gouache, lithography, oil, pastel, pencil, procion dye, screenprint, monoprint, watercolour, woodcut, ceramic, bronze and woodcarving. These items are reported in the Balance Sheet at insurance valuation which is based on market values. These valuations are updated periodically. The assets within the art collections are deemed to have indeterminate lives and a high residual value; hence the Council does not consider it appropriate to charge depreciation. Acquisitions are made by purchase or donation. Acquisitions are initially recognised at cost and donations are recognised at valuation with valuations provided by external valuers and with reference to appropriate commercial markets using the most relevant and recent information from sales at auctions. Inveraray Jail and Courthouse and “Other” Historic Buildings The building is owned by Argyll and Bute Council and leased out to an organisation which runs it as a “living museum”. The building is valued in accordance with the Council’s property, plant and equipment policy. Other buildings included in this category are McCaig’s Folly in Oban, the Argyll Mausoleum and Castle Lodge in Dunoon. Archaeology and “Other” Museum Exhibits The Council has obtained specialist valuations for the archaeology collection held within Campbeltown Museum which covers a range of objects including swords, bones, pottery, stone and leather remains. Similar to the Art Collections, these items are reported in the Balance Sheet at insurance valuation which is based on market values. These valuations will be updated periodically. The assets within the collection are deemed to have indeterminate lives and a high residual value; hence the Council does not consider it appropriate to charge depreciation. Heritage Assets – General The carrying amounts of heritage assets are reviewed where there is evidence of impairment for heritage assets, e.g. where an item has suffered physical deterioration or breakage or where doubts arise as to its authenticity. Any impairment is recognised and measured in accordance with the Council’s general policies on impairment (see note 1.19.3 in this summary of significant accounting policies). The proceeds of any disposals are accounted for in accordance with the Council’s general provisions relating to the disposal of property, plant and equipment. Disposal proceeds are disclosed separately in the notes to the financial statements and are accounted for in accordance with statutory accounting requirements relating to capital expenditure and receipts (see note 1.19.4 in this summary of significant accounting policies). 1.12 Intangible Assets Expenditure on non-monetary assets that do not have physical substance but are controlled by the Council as a result of past events (e.g. software licences) is capitalised when it is expected that future economic benefits or service potential will flow from the intangible asset to the Council. Expenditure on the development of websites is not capitalised if the website is solely or primarily intended to promote or advertise the Council’s goods or services. Intangible assets are measured initially at cost. Amounts are not revalued, as the fair value of the assets held by the Council cannot be determined by reference to an active market. The depreciable amount of an intangible asset is amortised over its useful life to the relevant service lines in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. An asset is tested for impairment whenever there is an indication that the asset might be impaired – any losses recognised are posted to the relevant service lines in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Any gain or loss arising on the disposal or abandonment of an intangible asset is posted to the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 67 Where expenditure on intangible assets qualifies as capital expenditure for statutory purposes, amortisation, impairment losses and disposal gains and losses are not permitted to have an impact on the General Fund Balance. The gains and losses are therefore reversed out of the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement and posted to the Capital Adjustment Account. 1.13 Interests in Companies and Other Entities The Council has material interests in companies and other entities that have the nature of subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures and requires to prepare Group Accounts. In the Council’s own single entity accounts, the interests in companies and other entities are recorded as financial assets at cost, less any provision for losses. 1.14 Inventories Inventories are included in the Balance Sheet at the lower of cost and net realisable value. The cost of inventories is assigned using the weighted average costing formula. 1.15 Investment Properties Investment properties are those that are used solely to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation. The definition is not met if the property is used in any way to facilitate the delivery of services or production of goods or is held for sale. Investment properties are measured initially at cost and subsequently at fair value, being the price that would be received to sell such an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As a non-financial asset, investment properties are measured at highest and best use. Properties are not depreciated but are revalued annually according to market conditions at the year-end. Gains and losses on revaluation are posted to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. The same treatment is applied to gains and losses on disposal. Rentals received in relation to investment properties are credited to the Financing and Investment Income line and result in a gain for the General Fund Balance. However, revaluation and disposal gains and losses are not permitted by statutory arrangements to have an impact on the General Fund Balance. The gains and losses are therefore reversed out of the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement and posted to the Capital Adjustment Account. 1.16 Leases Leases are classified as finance leases where the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the property, plant or equipment from the lessor to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases. Where a lease covers both land and buildings, the land and buildings elements are considered separately for classification. Arrangements that do not have the legal status of a lease but convey a right to use an asset in return for payment are accounted for under this policy where fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of specific assets. 1.16.1 The Council as Lessee a) Finance Leases Property, plant and equipment held under finance leases is recognised on the Balance Sheet at the commencement of the lease at its fair value measured at the lease’s inception (or the present value of the minimum lease payments, if lower). The asset recognised is matched by a liability for the obligation to pay the lessor. Initial direct costs of the Council are added to the carrying amount of the asset. Premiums paid on entry into a lease are applied to writing down the lease liability.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 68 Lease payments are apportioned between: • A charge for the acquisition of the interest in the property, plant or equipment – applied to write down the lease liability, and • A finance charge (debited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement). Property, plant and equipment recognised under finance leases is accounted for using the policies applied generally to such assets, subject to depreciation being charged over the lease term if this is shorter than the asset’s estimated useful life. The Council is not required to raise Council Tax to cover depreciation or revaluation and impairment losses arising on leased assets. Instead, a prudent annual contribution is made from revenue funds towards the deemed capital investment in accordance with statutory requirements. Depreciation and revaluation and impairment losses are therefore substituted by a revenue contribution in the General Fund Balance, by way of an adjusting transaction with the Capital Adjustment Account in the Movement in Reserves Statement for the difference between the two. b) Operating Leases Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as an expense of the services benefiting from use of the leased property, plant or equipment. Charges are made on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, even if this does not match the pattern of payments (e.g. there is a rent-free period at the commencement of the lease). 1.16.2 The Council as Lessor a) Finance Leases Where the Council grants a finance lease over a property or an item of plant and equipment, the relevant asset is written out of the Balance Sheet as a disposal. At the commencement of the lease, the carrying amount of the asset in the Balance Sheet (whether property, plant and equipment or assets held for sale) is written off to the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal. A gain, representing the Council’s net investment in the lease, is credited to the same line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement also as part of the gain or loss on disposal (i.e. netted off against the carrying value of the asset at the time of disposal), matched by a lease (long-term debtor) asset in the Balance Sheet. Lease rentals receivable are apportioned between: • A charge for the acquisition of the interest in the property – applied to write down the lease debtor (together with any premiums received); and • Finance income (credited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement). The gain credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement on disposal is not permitted by statute to increase the General Fund Balance and is required to be treated as a capital receipt. Where a premium has been received, this is posted out of the General Fund Balance to the Capital Receipts Reserve in the Movement in Reserves Statement. When the future rentals are received, the element for the capital receipt on disposal of the asset is used to write down the debtor. At this point, the deferred capital receipts are transferred to the Capital Receipts Reserve. The written-off value of disposals is not a charge against Council Tax, as the cost of fixed assets is fully provided for under separate arrangements for capital financing. Amounts are appropriated to the Capital Adjustment Account from the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 69 b) Operating Leases Where the Council grants an operating lease over a property or an item of plant or equipment, the asset is retained in the Balance Sheet. Rental income is credited to the relevant Service lines in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, with the exception of rental income from investment property which is credited to Interest and Investment Income. Credits are made on a straight line basis over the life of the lease, even if this does not match the pattern of payments (e.g. there is a premium paid at the commencement of the lease). Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging the lease are added to the carrying amount of the relevant asset and charged as an expense over the lease term on the same basis as rental income. 1.17 Overheads and Support Services The costs of overheads and support services are not charged to service segments in accordance with the Council’s arrangements for accountability and financial performance. 1.18 Assets Held for Sale Property, plant and equipment are classified as Assets Held for Sale when the following criteria are met: • The property is available for immediate sale in its present condition. • The sale must be highly probable; and an active programme to locate a buyer and complete the plan must have been initiated. • The asset must be actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value. • The sale should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year (although events or circumstances may extend the period to complete the sale beyond one year). When these criteria are met, assets within the category of Property, Plant and Equipment will be reclassified as Assets Held for Sale. 1.19 Property, Plant and Equipment Assets that have physical substance and are held for use in the production or supply of goods or services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes that are expected to be used during more than one financial year are classified as Property, Plant and Equipment. 1.19.1 Recognition Expenditure on the acquisition, creation, or enhancement of Property, Plant and Equipment is capitalised on an accruals basis, provided that it is probable that the future economic benefits or service potential associated with the item will flow to the Council and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. Expenditure that maintains but does not add to an asset’s potential to deliver future economic benefits or service potential (i.e. repairs and maintenance) is charged as an expense when it is incurred. 1.19.2 Measurement Assets are initially measured at cost, comprising: • The purchase price. • Any costs attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. • The initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located. The Council does not capitalise borrowing costs incurred while assets are under construction.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 70 The cost of assets acquired other than by purchase is deemed to be its fair value, unless the acquisition will not increase the cash flows of the Council. In the latter case, the cost of the acquisition is the carrying amount of the asset given up by the Council. Donated assets are measured initially at fair value. The difference between fair value and any consideration paid is credited to the Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income line of the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, unless the donation has been made conditionally. Until conditions are satisfied, the gain is held in the Donated Assets Accounts. Where gains are credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, they are reversed out of the General Fund Balance to the Capital Adjustment Account in the Movement in Reserves Statement. Assets are then carried in the Balance Sheet using the following measurement bases: • Infrastructure, community assets and assets under construction – depreciated historical cost. • Council offices – current value, determined as the amount that would be paid for the asset in its existing use (existing use value – EUV). • School buildings – current value, but because of their specialist nature, are measured at depreciated replacement cost which is used as an estimate of current value. • Surplus assets – the current value measurement base is fair value, estimated at highest and best use from a market participant’s perspective. • All other assets – current value, determined as the amount that would be paid for the asset in its existing use (existing use value – EUV). Where there is no market-based evidence of current value because of the specialist nature of an asset, depreciated replacement cost (DRC) is used as an estimate of current value. Where non-property assets have short useful lives or low values (or both), depreciated historical cost is used as a proxy for current value. Assets included in the Balance Sheet at current value are revalued sufficiently regularly to ensure that their carrying amount is not materially different from their current value at the year-end, but as a minimum every five years. Increases in valuations are matched by credits to the Revaluation Reserve to recognise unrealised gains. Exceptionally, gains might be credited to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services where they arise from the reversal of an impairment loss previously charged to a service. Where decreases in value are identified, they are accounted for by: • Where there is a balance of revaluation gains for the asset in the Revaluation Reserve, the carrying amount of the asset is written down against that balance (up to the amount of the accumulated gains). • Where there is no balance in the Revaluation Reserve or an insufficient balance, the carrying amount of the asset is written down against the relevant service line(s) in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. The Revaluation Reserve contains revaluation gains recognised since 1 April 2007, the date of its formal implementation. Gains arising before that date have been consolidated into the Capital Adjustment Account. 1.19.3 Impairment Assets are assessed at each year-end as to whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired. Where indications exist and any possible differences are estimated to be material, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated and, where this is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognised for the shortfall. Where impairment losses are identified, they are accounted for by:
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 71 • Where there is a balance of revaluation gains for the asset in the Revaluation Reserve, the carrying amount of the asset is written down against that balance (up to the amount of the accumulated gains) • Where there is no balance in the Revaluation Reserve or an insufficient balance, the carrying amount of the asset is written down against the relevant service lines in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Where an impairment loss is reversed subsequently, the reversal is credited to the relevant service lines in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, up to the amount of the original loss, adjusted for depreciation that would have been charged if the loss had not been recognised. 1.19.4 Disposals and Non-current Assets Held for Sale When it becomes probable that the carrying amount of an asset will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through its continuing use, it is reclassified as an Asset Held for Sale. The asset is re-valued immediately before reclassification and then carried at the lower of this amount and fair value less costs to sell. Where there is a subsequent decrease to fair value less costs to sell, the loss is posted to the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Gains in fair value are recognised only up to the amount of any previous losses recognised in the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services. Depreciation is not charged on Assets Held for Sale. Assets that are to be abandoned or scrapped are not reclassified as Assets Held for Sale. When an asset is disposed of or decommissioned, the carrying amount of the asset in the Balance Sheet (whether Property, Plant and Equipment or Assets Held for Sale) is written off to the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal. Receipts from disposals (if any) are credited to the same line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement also as part of the gain or loss on disposal (i.e. netted off against the carrying value of the asset at the time of disposal). Any revaluation gains accumulated for the asset in the Revaluation Reserve are transferred to the Capital Adjustment Account. Disposal receipts are categorised as capital receipts. All capital receipts are credited to the Capital Receipts Reserve, and can then only be used for new capital investment. Receipts are appropriated to the Reserve from the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement. The written-off value of disposals is not a charge against Council Tax, as the cost of non-current assets is fully provided for under separate arrangements for capital financing. Amounts are appropriated to the Capital Adjustment Account from the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement. 1.19.5 Depreciation Depreciation is provided for on all Property, Plant and Equipment assets by the systematic allocation of their depreciable amounts over their useful lives. An exception is made for assets without a determinable finite useful life (i.e. land and certain community assets) and assets that are not yet available for use (i.e. assets under construction). Where an asset has major components whose cost is significant in relation to the total cost of the item, the components are depreciated separately. Revaluation gains are also depreciated, with an amount equal to the difference between current value depreciation charged on assets and the depreciation that would have been chargeable based on their historical cost being transferred each year from the Revaluation Reserve to the Capital Adjustment Account. 1.20 Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and Similar Contracts PFI contracts are agreements to receive services, where the responsibility for making available the property, plant and equipment needed to provide the services passes to the PFI contractor. As the Council is deemed to control the services that are provided under its PFI schemes and as ownership of
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 72 the property, plant and equipment will pass to the Council at the end of the contracts for no additional charge, the Council carries the assets used under the contracts on the Balance Sheet. The original recognition of these assets at fair value was balanced by the recognition of a liability for amounts due to the scheme operator to pay for the capital investment. Non-current assets recognised on the Balance Sheet are revalued and depreciated in the same way as Property, Plant and Equipment owned by the Council. The amounts payable to the PFI operators each year are analysed into five elements: • Fair value of the services received during the year - debited to the relevant service in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. • Finance Cost – this is calculated by applying the implicit interest rate in the lease to the opening lease liability for the period, this is debited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. • Contingent rent – increases in the amount to be paid for the property arising during the contract, debited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. • Payment towards liability – applied to write down the Balance Sheet liability towards the PFI operator (the profile of write-downs is calculated using the same principles as for a finance lease). • Lifecycle replacement costs – proportion of the amounts payable is posted to the Balance Sheet as a prepayment and then recognised as additions to Property, Plant and Equipment when the relevant works are eventually carried out. 1.21 Provisions and Contingent Liabilities 1.21.1 Provisions Provisions are made where an event has taken place that gives the Council a legal or constructive obligation that probably requires settlement by a transfer of economic benefits or service potential, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. For instance, the Council may be involved in a court case that could eventually result in a settlement or the payment of compensation. Provisions are charged as an expense to the appropriate service line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement in the year that the Council becomes aware of the obligation, and measured at the best estimate at the Balance Sheet date of the expenditure required to settle the obligation, taking into account relevant risks and uncertainties. When payments are eventually made, they are charged to the provision set up in the Balance Sheet. Estimated settlements are reviewed at the end of each financial year and where it becomes more likely than not that a transfer of economic benefits will not now be required (or a lower settlement than anticipated is made), the provision is reversed and credited back to the relevant service. Where some or all of the payment required to settle a provision is expected to be recovered from another party (e.g. from an insurance claim), this is only recognised as income for the relevant service if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the obligation is settled. 1.21.2 Contingent Liabilities A contingent liability arises where an event has taken place that gives the Council a possible obligation whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or otherwise of uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the Council. Contingent liabilities also arise in circumstances where a provision would otherwise be made but either it is not probable that an outflow of resources will be required or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured reliably. Contingent liabilities are not recognised in the Balance Sheet but disclosed in a note to the accounts.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 73 1.22 Reserves Reserves are created by appropriating amounts out of the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement. When expenditure to be financed from a reserve is incurred, it is charged to the appropriate service in that year to score against the Surplus/Deficit on the Provision of Services in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. The reserve is then appropriated back into the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement so that there is no net charge against Council Tax for the expenditure. Certain reserves are kept to manage the accounting processes for non-current assets, financial instruments and retirement benefits and do not represent usable resources for the Council – these reserves are explained in the relevant policies above and Note 32 to the accounts. 1.23 VAT Income and expenditure excludes any amounts related to VAT, as all VAT collected is payable to HM Revenue and Customs and VAT paid is recoverable. 2. ACCOUNTING STANDARDS ISSUED BUT NOT YET ADOPTED The standards introduced by the 2024-25 Code where disclosures are required in the 2023-24 financial statements in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 3.3.4.3 of the code are: • IFRS 16 Leases which is applicable from 1st April 2024. This also includes amendments in respect of Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback transaction. • IAS 1 – Classification of Liabilities as Current or Non-current and Non-current Liabilities with Covenants. • IAS 12 – International Tax Reform • IAS 7 and IFRS 7 – Supplier Finance Arrangements It is anticipated that only IFRS16 will have a material impact in future years on the Financial Statements as the standard will require the Council to recognise the majority of its current operational leases on the balance sheet, eliminating the distinction between operating and finance leases. This will lead to the capitalisation of right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities increasing the value of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. On the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, operational lease expenses will be replaced by depreciation charges for the right-of-use assets and interest on the lease liability. This change will enhance transparency and comparability of financial statements, providing a clearer picture of the Council’s obligations and resources. To implement the IFRS16, the Council will review and evaluate the operational leases it has in place, update its accounting policies to accommodate the requirements of IFRS16 and will redesign its internal processes and procedures for starting and ending leases. There will be no material impact in future years from the adoption of these amendments in relation to IAS 1, IAS 12 and IAS 7. CIPFA/LASAAC has agreed to defer the implementation of IFRS 16 Leases until 1 April 2024. 3. CRITICAL JUDGEMENTS IN APPLYING ACCOUNTING POLICIES In applying the accounting policies set out in Note 1, the Council has had to make certain judgements about complex transactions or those involving uncertainty about future events. Where a critical judgement has been made this is referred to in the relevant note to the core financial statements; however a summary of those with the most significant effect is detailed below: • There is a high degree of uncertainty about future levels of funding for local government. However, the Council has determined that this uncertainty is not yet sufficient to provide an indication that the assets of the Council might be impaired as a result of a need to close facilities and reduce levels of service provision.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 74 • The Council currently operates three Private Finance Initiative (PFI), or similar, contracts which are accounted for as Service Concession arrangements under IFRIC12 – Service Concession Arrangements. The Council has determined that in the case of the Schools NPDO contract and the new Schools DBFM contract, the Council has control over the services provided through use of the schools and that a qualifying asset has been created. The appropriate accounting treatment is to bring the assets “on Balance Sheet” along with a finance lease liability. • The Council also operates a Waste Management Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract. In this case the Council determined that a “qualifying asset” had not been created and that the Council did not have significant control over the services being provided. The appropriate accounting treatment was therefore determined to be “off Balance Sheet” and that payments to the contractor are charged to the appropriate service line within the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Account. • The Council has considered its exposure to possible losses and made adequate provision where it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Where it has not been possible to measure the obligation, material contingent liabilities have been disclosed in Note 34. • Unused holiday entitlement earned at 31 March 2024 but not taken at that date has been quantified on the basis of a 5% sample of all non-term time Council employees. The calculation in respect of unused holidays for term time staff in schools is based on actual leave entitlement as at 31 March and no estimation is required for these staff. The liability shown in the 2023-24 financial statements in respect of the holiday pay accrual is £8.272m. 4. ASSUMPTIONS MADE ABOUT THE FUTURE AND OTHER MAJOR SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY The financial statements contain estimated figures that are based on assumptions made by the Council about which there is a degree of uncertainty. Estimates are made taking into account historical experience, current trends and other relevant factors. However, because balances cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could be materially different from the assumptions and estimates. The items in the Council’s Balance Sheet at 31 March 2024 for which there is a significant risk of material adjustment in the forthcoming financial year are outlined in the table that follows:
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 75 Item Uncertainties Effect if Actual Results Differ from Assumptions Property, Plant and Equipment Assets are depreciated over useful lives that are dependent on assumptions about the level of repairs and maintenance that will be incurred in relation to individual assets. The current economic climate makes it uncertain that the Council will be able to sustain its current spending on repairs and maintenance, bringing into doubt the useful lives. If the useful life of assets is reduced, depreciation increases and the carrying amount of the assets falls. It is estimated that the annual depreciation charge for buildings would increase by £1.142m for every year that useful lives had to be reduced. Rolling Programme Valuation The Council employs professional valuers who are registered with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. These valuers carry out regular reviews of the assets reported in the Balance Sheet and any significant changes in value are processed as an asset revaluation or impairment. These valuations are based on their professional opinion using available market information at the time of assessment. Due to the high number of assets, a rolling programme of asset valuations has been established for many years, with the aim of revaluing one fifth of the portfolio each financial year which is made up of various asset types. This is in addition to those assets which are valued annually; Surplus Assets, Investment Properties, Held for Sale assets and those where capital spend has exceeded £0.1m in the current year. This carries inherent risk that assets not revalued in-year have been subject to material changes in value particularly if affected by external factors such as inflation. The highest risk in this respect relates to assets valued using the depreciated Replacement Cost (DRC) method, which for Argyll & Bute Council includes schools. To mitigate this risk, a desktop assessment was undertaken for 2023-24 to estimate the potential increase in value of our assets valued using depreciated replacement cost using BCIS indices. As the BCIS indices have not increased materially, the impact on these assets was not deemed to be material so no adjustment was made. Consideration will be given on an annual basis to those assets which may have material impairment.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 76 Pensions Asset Estimation of the net asset to pay pensions depends on a number of complex judgements relating to the discount rate used, the rate at which salaries are projected to increase, changes in retirement ages, mortality rates and expected returns on pension fund assets. A firm of consulting actuaries is engaged to provide the Council with expert advice about the assumptions to be applied. The effects on the net pension’s liability of changes in individual assumptions can be measured. The sensitivities regarding the principal assumptions used to measure the scheme liabilities are set out as follows: Sensitivities at 31 March 2024 Approximate % Increase to Employer Liability Approximate monetary amount £’000 0.1% decrease in real discount rate 2% 10,827 1 Year increase in the member life expectancy 4% 26,766 0.1% increase in salary increase rate 0% 1,409 0.1% increase in pension increase rate 2% 9,594
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 77 5.1 EXPENDITURE AND FUNDING ANALYSIS Net Expenditure Chargeable to the General Fund Adjustments between the Funding and Accounting Basis (Note 5.2) Net Expenditure in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement Net Expenditure Chargeable to the General Fund Adjustments between the Funding and Accounting Basis (Note 5.2) Net Expenditure in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement £'000 £'000 £'000 Service £'000 £'000 £'000 7,538 1,063 8,601 Chief Executive and Financial Services 1,161 25 1,186 Executive Director Douglas Hendry 366 70 436 Executive Director 421 6 427 10,616 18,533 29,149 Commercial Services 12,232 6,921 19,153 95,943 (3,537) 92,406 Education 104,697 (3,775) 100,922 9,860 1,711 11,571 Legal and Regulatory Support 12,259 1,020 13,279 Executive Director Kirsty Flanagan 369 49 418 Executive Director 237 5 242 - - - Financial Services 6,885 89 6,974 8,139 3,046 11,185 Customer Support 9,403 2,228 11,631 9,070 1,806 10,876 Development and Economic Growth 8,904 385 9,289 31,855 15,628 47,480 Roads and Infrastructure 33,981 12,709 46,690 73,976 5,510 79,486 Social Work 77,137 939 78,076 8,226 (632) 7,594 Other Non-Departmental Costs 11,109 (1,712) 9,397 255,958 43,247 299,202 Net Cost of Services 278,426 18,840 297,266 2022-23 2023-24
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 78 (246,231) (46,924) (293,155) Other Income and Expenditure (307,811) 780 (307,031) 9,727 (3,677) 6,047 (Surplus) / Deficit (29,385) 19,620 (9,765) (96,081) Opening General fund Balance (86,356) 9,727 Plus (Surplus) or Deficit on General Fund Balance (29,385) (86,356) Closing General Fund Balance (115,741) The Expenditure and Funding Analysis shows how annual expenditure is used and funded from resources (government grants, council tax and business rates) by local authorities in comparison with those resources consumed or earned by authorities in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices. It also shows how this expenditure is allocated for decision making purposes between the council’s services. Income and expenditure accounted for under generally accepted accounting practices is presented more fully in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 79 5.2 EXPENDITURE AND FUNDING ANALYSIS RECONCILIATION This note provides a reconciliation of the main adjustments to Net Expenditure Chargeable to the General Fund to arrive at the amounts in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Adjustments for Capital Purposes Note (i) Net change for Pension Adjustments Note (ii) Capital element of Schools NPDO payment Note (iii) Other Adjustments Note (iv) Total Adjustments £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Chief Executive and Financial Services - 16 - 9 25 Executive Director (Douglas Hendry) Executive Director (Douglas Hendry) - 7 - (1) 6 Commercial Services 1,960 163 - 4,798 6,921 Education 3,888 443 - (8,106) (3,775) Legal and Regulatory Support 3,387 74 (5,232) 2,791 1,020 Executive Director (Kirsty Flanagan) Executive Director (Kirsty Flanagan) - 5 - - 5 Financial Services 89 89 Head of Customer Support 1,752 129 - 347 2,228 Head of Development and Economic Growth 344 149 - (108) 385 Roads and Infrastructure 10,977 341 - 1,391 12,709 Social Work 806 545 - (412) 939 Other Non-Departmental Costs - (1,687) - (25) (1,712) 23,114 274 (5,232) 684 18,840 Other Income and Expenditure 2,956 (6,596) 4,831 (411) 780 26,070 (6,322) (401) 273 19,620 Net Cost of Services Difference between General Fund Surplus and Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (Surplus)/Deficit Adjustments from General Fund to arrive at the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement amounts Adjustments between Funding and Accounting Basis 2023-24
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 80 (i) Adjustments for Capital Purposes This column adds in depreciation and impairment and revaluation gains and losses in the services line, and for: • Other operating expenditure – adjusts for capital disposals with a transfer of income on disposal of assets and the amounts written off for those assets. • Taxation and non-specific grant income and expenditure – capital grants are adjusted for income not chargeable under generally accepted accounting practices. Revenue grants are adjusted from those receivable in the year to those receivable without conditions or for which conditions were satisfied throughout the year. The Taxation and Non Specific Grant Income and Expenditure line is credited with capital grants receivable in the year without conditions or for which conditions were satisfied in the year. • Financing and investment income and expenditure – the statutory charges for capital financing (loans fund advances) and other revenue contributions are deducted from other income and expenditure as these are not chargeable under generally accepted accounting practices. (ii) Net change for the Pensions Adjustments Net change for the removal of pension contributions and the addition of IAS 19 Employee Benefits pension related expenditure and income: • For services this represents the removal of the employer pension contributions made by the Council as allowed by statute and the replacement with current service costs and past service costs. • For Financing and investment income and expenditure – the net interest on the defined benefit liability is charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. (iii) Capital element of schools NPDO payment • This is the capital cost of the annual payment to the schools NPDO operator and represents repayment of the Balance Sheet liability rather than a charge to Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. (iv) Other Adjustments • For Financing and investment income and expenditure the other differences column recognises adjustments to the General Fund for the timing differences for premiums and discounts. • For services an adjustment is made for the accrual of holiday pay and other similar entitlements, this is required under generally accepted accounting principles but the impact on the General Fund is mitigated by statute which allows the impact to be reversed out through the Movement in Reserves Statement.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 81 6.1 GENERAL FUND RESERVES The Council has ring-fenced £107.443m of the balance on the General Fund. Ring-fenced Balances Balance 1 April 2023 Funds Used Contributions to/from Funds New Earmarking agreed 2023-24 New Earmarking at end of 2023-24 Balance 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Strategic Housing Fund (Revenue from Additional Council Tax on Second Homes) 7,247 (1,057) 2,575 8,765 Investment in Affordable Housing 3,163 (139) 3,024 Capital Projects 16,059 (12,379) 2,327 2,509 29,442 37,958 Lochgilphead and Tarbert Regeneration 1,460 (410) 1,050 Support for Rural Growth Deal 756 (215) 541 Asset Management 2,098 (28) (2,070) - Piers and Harbours Investment Fund 2,789 1,336 4,125 Scottish Government Initiatives 2,834 (1,274) 1,219 2,779 CHORD 378 (89) 120 409 Devolved School Management Scheme (DSM) 1,394 (1,300) 645 739 Energy Efficiency Fund 218 20 238 Unspent Budget Required for Existing Legal Commitments 476 (476) - Unspent Third Party Contributions 13,179 (5,937) 5,016 3,528 15,786 Contributions Carried Forward 265 (44) 233 454 Other Previous Council Decisions 3,808 (513) 845 4,140 Redundancy Reserve 1,578 (115) 1,500 2,963 Connect for Success Fund 1,426 (745) 681 One Council Property 566 (566) - Fleet - Timing Delay 658 (174) 484 Hermitage Park 19 37 56 Electric Vehicle Chargers 17 (17) - Priorities Investment Fund - 4,742 4,742 COVID-19 5,512 - (5,512) - Unspent Budget Carried Forward 13,566 (2,989) (931) 173 8,690 18,509 Total Ring-fenced 79,466 (27,286) (2,351) 2,682 54,932 107,443 Contingency 5,691 - 348 - - 6,039 Unallocated 1,199 - 1,530 (470) - 2,259 Total General Fund Balance 86,356 (27,286) (473) 2,212 54,932 115,741
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 82 The contingency balance of £6.039m is 2% of the Council’s budgeted net expenditure for 2023-24. 6.2 Service Concessions During 2022/23 the Scottish Government announced revised regulations in relation to the treatment of service concessions: Local government finance circular 10/2022 - finance leases and service concession arrangements. The council currently operates two service concessions in relation to its Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and Design, Build, Finance, Maintain (DBFM) arrangements both within Education. The revised regulations allow for the debt costs associated with these schemes to be written off over the expected lives of the respective assets rather than over the contract period of each arrangement. This ensures repayments are aligned to the period over which benefit flows from the asset and provides scope to realign debt costs to reflect the asset lives. The cumulative value of the liability charged to the General Fund prior to applying the permitted flexibility was £43.376m up to and including the financial year 2023-24. After applying the permitted flexibility, there is a one-off historical debt cost saving of £36.038m and in year savings of £4.831m resulting in an overall benefit in 2023-24 of £40.869m. This saving has been earmarked for specific council priorities and has been included in Note 6.1 with balances allocated as detailed below: Reserve Description Amount Allocated £'000 Capital Projects 24,666 Priorties Investment Fund 4,742 Unspent Budget Carryied Forward 6,630 Total Allocation 36,038
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 83 7 SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES TO THE STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE 7.1 Expenditure and Income Analysed by Nature Council’s expenditure and income is analysed as follows: 2022-23 Expenditure/Income 2023-24 £'000 £'000 Expenditure 196,213 Employee benefits expenses 195,129 178,016 Other services expenses 189,024 74,391 Contribution to Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board 77,604 27,828 Depreciation, amortisation, impairment 23,113 10,655 Interest payments 7,441 1,253 Precepts and levies 1,254 390 Other operating expenditure 416 (437) Net Loss/(Gain) on the disposal of assets (262) 488,309 Total Expenditure 493,719 Income (102,855) Fees, charges and other service income (110,000) (74,391) Income to fund social care services (Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board) (77,604) (2,966) Interest and investment income (4,779) (87,726) Income from council tax and non-domestic rates (100,358) (214,324) Government grants and contributions (210,743) (482,262) Total Income (503,484) 6,047 (Surplus)Deficit on the Provision of Services (9,765)
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _________________________________________________ Page 84 7.2 Revenue from Contracts with Service Recipients 2022-23 Actual 2023-24 Actual £'000 £'000 32,900 34,201 32,900 34,201 Revenue from contracts with service recipients Total Included in Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement 8 OTHER OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE The expenditure of £1.670m shown in the Other Operating Income and Expenditure line on the Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure can be analysed as follows: 2022-23 2023-24 Actual Other Operating Income and Expenditure Actual £'000 £'000 1,253 Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Valuation Joint Board Requisition 1,254 (20) Equal Pay Settlements and Legal Costs - 410 Other Operating Income and Expenditure not attributable to Services 416 1,643 Total 1,670 9 AGENCY SERVICES The Council bills and collects non-domestic rates on behalf of the Scottish Government from ratepayers situated within Argyll and Bute. The Council also bills and collects, along with its own council tax, domestic water and sewerage charges on behalf of Scottish Water. In addition, the Council received funding from the UK Government to help people who met the Government’s eligibility criteria to pay their home energy bills. The Council had no discretion over the terms of the funding and could not use it for service delivery. This means the Council acted as agent only and the grant funding received and paid out are not included in the Council's reserves, CIES or Balance Sheet. In some cases, an administration grant was awarded to the Council to facilitate these payments. This is accounted for as operational income and expenditure and not disclosed here. 2022-23 2023-24 Actual Actual £'000 £'000 33,179 Scottish Government - Contributions (to)/from the non-domestic rates pool 37,645 15,106 Domestic water and sewarage charges collected 15,830 (15,106) Domestic water and sewarage charges paid over to Scottish Water (15,830) 265 Service income from Scottish Water for collection of domestic water and sewerage 367 7 Service income BID levy - Dunoon 8 7 Service income BID levy - Oban 7 7 Service income BID levy - Bute 7 (714) Scottish Child Payment - amount paid out - 714 Scottish Child Payment - amount received from the Scottish Government - (73) BIES Energy Grant - amount paid out (373) 73 BIES Energy Grant - amount received from the Scottish Government 373 (167) COVID - Financial Hardship and Self-Isolation grants paid out - 167 COVID - Financial Hardship and Self-Isolation funding received from Scottish Government - 33,465 Total 38,034 Agency Income
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _________________________________________________ Page 85 10 COMMUNITY CARE AND HEALTH (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002 From 1 April 2016 health and social care services were fully integrated as part of the new Health and Social Care Partnership. During 2023-24 the Partnership included provision of services to older people, supporting people with a learning disability and provision of support to adults who have a mental health difficulty. Budgets are currently aligned which means that each Partner organisation holds their own element of the budget and records the income and expenditure that relates to the part of the service for which they are responsible. During 2023-24 income received by the Council from this source amounted to £7.811m and the related expenditure was £10.953m. This can be analysed as follows: Income Expenditure Income Expenditure £'000 £'000 Purpose of Services £'000 £'000 3,300 5,402 Care of the Elderly 3,464 5,658 2,914 3,615 Provision of Services for People with Learning Disabilities 2,945 3,787 1,380 1,527 Provision of Services for People with Mental Health Needs 1,402 1,508 7,594 10,544 7,811 10,953 833 833 8,427 11,377 TOTAL 7,811 10,953 Additional Covid Response Funding received via NHS for 2022-23 2022-23 2023-24 11 FEES PAYABLE TO EXTERNAL AUDITORS In 2023-24 the following fees relating to external audit and inspection were incurred alongside comparative figures for 2022-23: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 310 Fees payable to External Auditors with regard to external audit services carried 325 out by the appointed Auditor 310 Total Remuneration 325 Auditor's Remuneration The figure above excludes fees for the audit of the Council’s charitable trusts. Forvis Mazars LLP did not undertake any non-audit work in 2022-23 or 2023-24.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _________________________________________________ Page 86 12 WASTE MANAGEMENT PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP The Council has entered into a Public Private Partnership for the provision of its waste disposal service. This agreement requires the provider to upgrade or replace three waste disposal sites, two transfer stations and five civic amenity sites. In addition, the provider will also provide composting facilities to meet waste diversion targets. When the agreement ends in September 2026, during financial year 2026- 27, the provider will hand back to the Council the waste disposal facilities with a remaining life of 5 years. The Council has paid a service charge of £7.268m which represents the value of the service provided from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 (£6.514m for 2022-23). Under the agreement the Council is committed to paying the following sums: Future Repayment Periods £'000 2024-2025 6,956 2025-2026 7,108 2026-2027 2,336 Total 16,400 The average service charge equates to £5.180m per annum over the life of the contract. 13 GRANT INCOME The Council credited the following grants to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement: 2022-23 Grant Income 2023-24 £'000 £'000 Credited to Taxation and Non Specific Grant Income 191,265 Revenue Support Grant 187,193 33,179 Non Domestic Rates 37,645 344 Specific Capital Grant 96 19,187 General Capital Grant 22,347 44 Heritage Lottery Fund - 728 Scottish Timber Transport Strategy 791 1,353 Scottish Government - 90 Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) 90 55 Revenue Contribution to Capital Projects 100 748 Other Grants 126 246,993 Total 248,388 Credited to Services 12,869 Scottish Government Specific Grants 12,555 809 General Capital Grant - Private Sector Housing Improvement Grants 855 16,581 Housing Benefit Subsidy 16,443 14,787 Other Revenue Government Grants 21,243 45,046 Total 51,096
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _________________________________________________ Page 87 14 RELATED PARTIES The Council is required to disclose material transactions with related parties – bodies or individuals that have the potential to control or influence the Council or to be controlled or influenced by the Council. Disclosure of these transactions allows readers to assess the extent to which the Council might have been constrained in its ability to operate independently or might have secured the ability to limit another party’s ability to bargain freely with the Council. The aim of the Financial Reporting Standard dealing with Related Parties is to highlight instances where influence and control has been exercised over an external organisation by the Council, and where an elected member, their close family or someone in their household, has the ability to exercise the influence or control. Elected members and Senior Officers have completed a signed declaration on Related Party Interests and these have been used to compile this disclosure. 14.1 Scottish Government The Scottish Government has effective control over the general operations of the Council – it is responsible for providing the statutory framework, within which the Council operates, provides the majority of its funding in the form of grants and prescribes the terms of many of the transactions that the Council has with other parties (e.g. council tax bills, housing benefits). Grants received from government departments are set out in Note 13 – Grant Income. 14.2 Members Members of the council have direct control over the Council’s financial and operating policies. The total of members’ allowances paid in 2023-24 is shown in the Remuneration Report. During the year there were two organisations in which members had a significant interest and where the total of transactions exceeded £10,000. 2022-23 Expenditure 2023-24 Expenditure £'000 Transactions in which Members have a significant interest £'000 21 Argyll and Bute Rape Crisis 0 81 S & C Crawford Building Contractors Ltd 337 69 Bookfan Ltd Trading as South Peak Services 81 171 Total 418
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _________________________________________________ Page 88 14.3 Other Related Bodies This category relates to transactions with entities which are controlled or significantly influenced by the Council. During the year transactions with other related bodies were as follows: 2022-23 Expenditure 2023-24 Expenditure £'000 Related Bodies £'000 4,197 Transactions with related bodies during the year totalled 4,418 Of these, transactions with the following exceeded £10,000: 210 ACHA 48 579 Dunbritton Housing Association Limited 590 34 LINK Group Ltd 30 96 West Highland Housing Association Ltd 312 14 Fyne Homes 26 548 Oban and Lorn Community Enterprise - Atlantis Leisure 606 100 Islay and Jura Community Enterprise 141 70 Mid Argyll Community Enterprise 110 73 Scotland Excel 65 97 Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureaux 55 227 Bute Advice 182 - Kintyre Recycling 10 92 SEEMIS 104 178 Argyll and the Isles Coast & Countryside Trust 200 411 Carr Gomm 429 127 Argyll & Bute Women's Aid 132 241 Argyll & Bute Care & Repair 252 161 HELP 168 97 COSLA 71 411 Strathclyde Passenger Transport 416 204 Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme 209 60 Glengorm Partnership - - Group Recycling in Argyll & Bute (GRAB) 73 91 North West Mull Community Woodland Company - 41 Mull & Iona Community Trust (MICT) 148 4,162 Total 4,377 Given the relationships the Council has with other organisations and partners it is possible that some related party transactions may exist. However, the purpose of the requirement to complete the disclosure is to provide additional information to the users of the Annual Accounts and, by declaring possible instances, there is no suggestion that any inappropriate transactions have taken place. Please refer to Group Accounts on pages 128 to 139.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ___________________________________________________________________________________ Page 89 15 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 15.1 Movement in Property, Plant and Equipment Other Land & Buildings Vehicles Plant & Equipment Community Assets Surplus Assets Assets Under Construction Total 2023-24 Infrastructure Assets £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2023 453,644 46,440 8,901 3,283 21,440 533,708 Additions 8,483 3,177 218 (18) 15,117 26,977 12,309 Additions financed under a new leasing arrangement - 5,217 653 5,870 813 69 882 Derecognition - Disposals (1,552) (1,552) Assets reclassified (to)/from Held for Sale (539) 630 91 Other movements in cost or valuation (833) (833) 833 At 31 March 2024 467,618 48,065 9,119 4,617 35,724 565,143 Depreciation and Impairments At 1 April 2023 (2,626) (35,568) (9) 3 - (38,200) (13,802) (3,037) (16,839) (8,846) 4,125 16 4,141 2,037 2,037 - - 1,552 1,552 Derecognition - Other 17 (16) 1 - At 31 March 2024 (10,249) (37,053) (9) 3 - (47,308) Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2024 457,369 11,012 9,110 4,620 35,724 517,835 239,372 Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2023 451,018 10,872 8,892 3,286 21,440 495,508 235,076 Movements in 2023-24 Revaluation increases/(decreases) recognised in the Revaluation Reserve Revaluation increases/(decreases) recognised in the Surplus/Deficit on the Provision of Services Depreciation Charge for 2023-24 Depreciation written out to the Revaluation Reserve Depreciation written out to the Surplus/Deficit on the Provision of Services Impairment losses/(reversals) recognised in the Revaluation Reserve Impairment losses/(reversals) recognised in the Surplus/Deficit on the Provision of Services Derecognition - Disposals Other movements in depreciation and impairment
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ___________________________________________________________________________________ Page 90 Other Land & Buildings Vehicles Plant & Equipment Community Assets Surplus Assets Assets Under Construction Total 2022-23 Infrastructure Assets £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2022 428,437 44,428 7,463 1,405 35,344 517,077 Additions 8,671 2,024 1,438 283 10,212 22,628 13,110 Additions financed under a new leasing agreement - - - - - - 2,499 1,237 3,736 (8,252) (18) - (8,270) Derecognition - Disposals (1,451) (12) - (1,463) Derecognition - Other - Assets reclassified (to)/from Held for Sale (376) 376 - Other movements in cost or valuation 24,116 - - (24,116) - At 31 March 2023 453,644 46,440 8,901 3,283 21,440 533,708 Depreciation and Impairments At 1 April 2022 (13,585) (32,630) (9) 3 - (46,221) (13,068) (2,944) (16,012) (8,512) 17,284 17,284 5,300 5,300 1,443 6 1,449 - - At 31 March 2023 (2,626) (35,568) (9) 3 - (38,200) Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2023 451,018 10,872 8,892 3,286 21,440 495,508 235,076 Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2022 414,852 11,798 7,454 1,408 35,344 470,856 230,478 Comparative Movements in 2022-23 Revaluation increases/(decreases) recognised in the Revaluation Reserve Revaluation increases/(decreases) recognised in the Surplus/Deficit on the Provision of Services Depreciation Charge for 2022-23 Depreciation written out to the Revaluation Reserve Other movements in depreciation and impairment Impairment losses/(reversals) recognised in the Surplus/Deficit on the Provision of Services Derecognition - Disposals
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ___________________________________________________________________________________ Page 91 As permitted by Finance Circular 09-2022 the council has adopted both Statutory Override 1 & 2 relating to infrastructure assets which allow for the following; Statutory Override 1: For accounting periods commencing from 1 April 2021 until 31 March 2024 a local authority is not required to report the gross cost and accumulated depreciation for infrastructure assets. Statutory Override 2: For accounting periods commencing 1 April 2010 until 31 March 2024 the carrying amount to be derecognised in respect of a replaced part of an infrastructure asset is to be taken and accounted for as a nil amount. No subsequent adjustment shall be made to the carrying amount of the asset with respect to that part.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 92 15.2 Valuation of Property, Plant and Equipment IAS 16 – Property, Plant and Equipment has been adapted for the public sector by IPSAS 17 – Property, Plant and Equipment. Under IPSAS 17 each category of Property, Plant and Equipment is valued as follows: • Infrastructure, community assets and assets under construction are valued at historical cost. • Vehicles, plant and equipment are valued at depreciated historical cost as a proxy for current value. • All other classes of assets are valued at current value. Where there is no market based evidence of current value because of the specialist nature of the asset and the asset is rarely sold then an estimate of current value is made using a depreciated replacement cost approach. The Council carries out a rolling programme that ensures that all Property, Plant and Equipment required to be measured is re-valued at least every five years. Assets identified as Corporate Surplus Assets are valued in accordance with IFRS 13 - Fair Value Measurement. The Balance Sheet value of Corporate Surplus assets at 31 March 2024 was £4.620m. Corporate Surplus assets are valued at their fair value on 31 March each year. Level 2 or 3 inputs were used for most Corporate Surplus asset valuations. Revaluations of Council owned land and property were carried out at 31 March 2024 in accordance with the Council’s rolling programme of revaluations. The revaluations have been carried out in house by the Council’s Estates Service. Valuations of land and buildings were carried out in accordance with the methodologies and basis for estimation set out in the professional standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. For assets not valued in-year a desktop assessment was undertaken for 2023-24 to estimate the potential increase in value of those assets valued using depreciated replacement cost using BCIS indices. As the BCIS indices have not increased materially, the impact on these assets was not deemed to be material so no adjustment was made. The following table shows the progress of the Council’s rolling programme for the revaluation of Other Land and Buildings: Estates Valuation Desktop Valuation Current Valuation £'000 £'000 £'000 31 March 2024 135,773 135,773 31 March 2023 179,234 5,007 184,241 31 March 2022 38,954 3,335 42,289 31 March 2021 50,140 3,164 53,304 31 March 2020 39,207 2,555 41,762 Total Cost or Valuation 443,308 14,061 457,369 Other Land & BuildingsValued at Current Value as at:
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 93 15.3 Depreciation The following useful lives and depreciation rates have been used in the calculation of depreciation: • Buildings – straight-line allocation over the useful life of the property as estimated by the valuer (20 to 60 years) • Infrastructure – straight-line allocation over 40 – 60 years • Vessels – straight line allocation over 25 years • Vehicles, Plant and Equipment - straight-line allocation over the useful life of the asset as determined by a suitably qualified officer (5 to 20 years) 15.4 Summary of Capital Expenditure and Financing Capital expenditure involves the creation of assets, the benefit of which will be available to future rates and Council taxpayers. It is financed from borrowing, capital receipts and capital grants. The cost of the asset is effectively borne over a period of years. In 2023-24 total spending on capital projects was £40.094m. 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 307,100 Opening Capital Financing Requirement 291,782 Capital Investment: 8,543 Property Plant and Equipment: Other Land and Buildings 8,483 2,024 Vehicles, Plant, Furniture and Equipment 3,177 13,110 Infrastructure Assets 12,309 1,438 Community Assets 218 283 Surplus Assets (18) 10,212 Assets Under Construction 15,117 128 Property Plant and Equipment acquired under Finance Leases: Other Land and Buildings - DBFM Schools - 246 Heritage Assets 224 174 Intangible Assets 202 12 Investment Assets 382 Assets Held for Sale 36,170 Total Capital Investment 40,094 Sources of Finance: - Capital Receipts - (22,549) Government Grants (23,550) (2,938) Capital Financed from Current Revenue (1,616) (4,276) Net Borrowing (6,111) (16,041) Earmarked Reserves (1,532) (5,116) Assets Aquired under Finance Leases/Schools NPDO (5,280) (568) Capital Receipts transferred to/(from) Capital Fund (2,207) - Service Concessions 40,869 - Other (55) (51,488) Total Funding 518 291,782 Closing Capital Financing Requirement 332,394
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 94 15.5 Commitments under Capital Contracts At 31 March 2024, the Council had commitments on capital contracts of £6.236m. This expenditure will be funded from a combination of Government Grants, borrowing and income from selling assets and contributions from Revenue Accounts. Similar commitments at 31 March 2023 were £13.745m. The major commitments are: Commitments Under Capital Contracts 2023-24 £'000 Tigh-A-Rudha Care Home - Internal Upgrade 1,859 Kilmory Business Park 979 Lochgilphead Community Education Centre 513 The Moat Centre - Electrical Upgrade 473 St Andrews Primary School - Window Upgrade 358 Port Charlotte Primary School - Electrical Works 306 Riverside Leisure Centre - Health Suite Upgrade 280 Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre - Occupation Certificate Work 267 Dalmally Primary School - Internal Upgrade 193 North Bute Primary School - Staff Toilet Alterations 150 Other projects each less than £0.150m in value 858 Total Capital Commitments 6,236 16 HERITAGE ASSETS The main heritage assets held by the Council are two art collections, an archaeology collection and Inveraray Jail and Courthouse. The Council holds other heritage assets which are not valued and shown on the Balance Sheet. Further details on the council’s heritage assets policy can be found in note 1.11. Reconciliation of the carrying value of heritage assets held by the Council: Art Collections Heritage Property Total £'000 £'000 £'000 Cost or Valuation Net Book Value at 1 April 2023 1,600 745 2,345 Additions - 224 224 Disposals - - - Revaluations - - - Impairment Losses/(Reversals) recognised in the Revaluation Reserve - - - - - - At 31 March 2024 1,600 969 2,569 Movements in 2023-24 Transfer from Assets Under Construction
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 95 17 INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible assets comprise software licences and carbon reduction commitment allowances purchased in advance. Purchased software licences are shown at cost and this cost is charged to the relevant service lines within the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement over the economic life of the licences, assessed as five years. The movement in intangible assets during the year was: £'000 £'000 Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2023 2,449 2,449 Additions 202 202 Disposals - - Revaluations - - Reclassifications - - At 31 March 2024 2,651 2,651 Amortisation and Impairments At 1 April 2023 (1,716) (1,716) Charge for 2023-24 (47) (47) Disposals - - At 31 March 2024 (1,763) (1,763) Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2024 888 888 Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2023 733 733 Movements in 2023-24 Purchased Software Licences Total Intangible Assets Total Intangible Assets Comparative Movements in 2022-23 £'000 £'000 Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2022 2,275 2,275 Additions 174 174 Disposals - - Revaluations - - Reclassifications - At 31 March 2023 2,449 2,449 Amortisation and Impairments At 1 April 2022 (1,671) (1,671) Charge for 2022-23 (45) (45) Disposals - - At 31 March 2023 (1,716) (1,716) Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2023 733 733 Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2022 604 604 Purchased Software Licences
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 96 18 INVESTMENT PROPERTY Investment property has been accounted for in accordance with IAS 4 - Investment Property, except where interpretations or adaptations to fit the public sector are detailed in the Code. The definition of an investment property in the context of the public sector is one that is used solely to earn rentals or for capital appreciation or both. The value of investment property is initially measured at cost and thereafter measured at fair value. The fair value of investment property reflects market conditions at 31 March 2024. Revaluations of investment properties were carried out at 31 March 2024 in house by the Estates Service. 18.1 Movement in Investment Property The movement in investment property during 2023-24 was: Investment Properties £'000 Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2023 2,553 Acquisitions 382 Disposals - Net Gains/Losses from fair value adjustments (42) Transfers (379) At 31 March 2024 2,514 Movements in 2023-24 18.2 Investment Property Income and Expenditure The following items of income and expenditure have been accounted for in the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 141 Rental income from investment property 144 (4) Direct operating expenses arising from investment property - 137 144 19 SCHOOLS BUILT UNDER PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CONTRACTS (PPP) Argyll and Bute Council have two schemes: Schools Non-Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO) During 2007-08 two secondary schools, two joint campuses and one primary campus, developed as part of the Non-Profit Distributing Organisation (NPDO) variant of a Public Private Partnership (PPP), became operational. When the agreement ends in 2035 the provider will hand the five school complexes back to the Council. Schools Hub Design, Build, Finance and Maintain Contract (DBFM) Campbeltown and Oban High Schools have been built under this type of arrangement which reached Financial Close in March 2016.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 97 Campbeltown Grammar School Construction Phase 1 was completed on 19 February 2018 and provided a new secondary school for pupils aged between 12 and 18. The new school has capacity for 500 pupils and replaces the existing Campbeltown Grammar School on the current school site at Hutcheon Road, Campbeltown. Phase 2 which included the demolition of the existing school buildings, provision of a car park, landscaping and 3G artificial turf pitch was completed during 2018-19. Oban High School Construction Phase 1 was completed on 5 April 2018 and provided a new secondary school for pupils between 12 and 18. The new school has capacity for 1300 pupils and replaces the existing Oban High School, on the current school site at Soroba Road, Oban. Phase 2 included the demolition of the existing school buildings, provision of a car park, landscaping and a pedestrian footway with lighting from the new school facilities to the grass pitches owned by the Council at Glencruitten, Oban was completed during 2018-19. 19.1 Assets Held under Schools NPDO and DBFM Contracts Five schools were constructed under the Schools NPDO Contract; Hermitage Academy, Dunoon Grammar, Lochgilphead Joint Campus, Rothesay Joint Campus and Oban Primary Campus. The construction costs of the buildings, adjusted for revaluations on 31 March 2024 and depreciation to date are included as part of Operational Land and Buildings. As noted above, two schools were completed under the Schools DBFM Contract. Oban High School and Campbeltown Grammar have been included within Operational Land & Buildings. Schools DBFM - Other Land & Buildings Schools NPDO - Other Land & Buildings Total Schools Built under PFI Contracts £'000 £'000 £'000 Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2023 71,539 134,178 205,717 Additions at Cost - - - Transfers - - - Revaluations 5,066 - 5,066 At 31 March 2024 76,605 134,178 210,783 Depreciation and Impairments At 1 April 2023 - - - Charge for 2023-24 (2,457) (3,355) (5,812) Transfers - - - Revaluations 2,457 - 2,457 At 31 March 2024 - (3,355) (3,355) Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2024 76,605 130,823 207,428 Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2023 71,539 134,178 205,717 Movements in 2023-24
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 98 Schools DBFM - Other Land & Buildings Schools NPDO - Other Land & Buildings Total Schools Built under PFI Contracts £'000 £'000 £'000 Cost or Valuation At 1 April 2022 66,018 136,962 202,980 Additions at Cost 128 - 128 Transfers - - - Revaluations 5,393 (2,784) 2,609 At 31 March 2023 71,539 134,178 205,717 Depreciation and Impairments At 1 April 2022 - - - Charge for 2022-23 (2,186) (3,162) (5,348) Transfers - - - Revaluations 2,186 3,162 5,348 At 31 March 2023 - - - Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2023 71,539 134,178 205,717 Balance Sheet amount at 31 March 2022 66,018 136,962 202,980 Comparative Movements in 2022-23 19.2 Schools NPDO and DBFM Finance Lease Liability The finance lease liability arising from the Schools NPDO and DBFM contracts are as follows: Schools DBFM Schools NPDO Total Schools Finance Lease Liability £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 1 April 2023 (51,876) (59,338) (111,214) Additions - - - Repayments 1,970 3,262 5,232 Prior year repayment adjustment - - - Schools Finance Lease Liability at 31 March 2024 (49,906) (56,076) (105,982) Split: Obligations payable within 1 year (1,990) (3,298) (5,288) Obligations payable after 1 year (47,916) (52,778) (100,694) Schools Finance Lease Liability at 31 March 2024 (49,906) (56,076) (105,982) Movements in 2023-24
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 99 Schools DBFM Schools NPDO Total Schools Finance Lease Liability £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 1 April 2022 (53,876) (62,408) (116,284) Additions - - - Repayments 2,000 3,070 5,070 Prior year repayment adjustment - - Schools Finance Lease Liability at 31 March 2023 (51,876) (59,338) (111,214) Split: Obligations payable within 1 year (1,970) (3,262) (5,232) Obligations payable after 1 year (49,906) (56,076) (105,982) Schools Finance Lease Liability at 31 March 2023 (51,876) (59,338) (111,214) Comparative Movements in 2022-23 19.3 Payments due to Operator under Schools NPDO Contract The Council is committed to paying the following sums under the Schools NPDO contract: Future Repayment Periods Lifecycle Costs Payment of Interest Service Charges Total Payments £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 2024 - 2025 631 5,796 7,032 16,757 2025 - 2029 2,593 20,035 29,716 69,220 2029 - 2034 4,072 13,592 42,567 91,891 2034 - 2035 318 717 4,301 9,577 Total 7,614 40,140 83,616 187,445 Repayment of Liability £'000 16,876 31,660 4,241 56,075 3,298 19.4 Payments due to Operator under Schools DBFM Contract The Council is committed to paying the following sums under the Schools DBFM contract: Future Repayment Periods Payment of Interest Service Charges Total Payments £'000 £'000 £'000 2024 - 2025 2,168 1,211 5,369 2025 - 2029 7,888 4,641 20,947 2029 - 2034 8,066 7,789 26,911 2034 - 2039 2,471 11,773 27,817 2039 - 2043 1,716 5,601 22,186 Total 22,309 31,015 103,230 49,906 Repayment of Liability £'000 8,418 11,056 1,990 13,573 14,869
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 100 20 OPERATING LEASES 20.1 Operating Leases – Amounts Paid to Lessors The Council uses land, buildings, vehicles, plant and equipment financed under the terms of an operating lease. The amounts paid under these arrangements were as follows: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 552 Land and Buildings 1,223 1,407 Vehicles 1,577 180 Plant and Equipment 181 2,139 Total 2,981 20.2 Assets Held Under Operating Leases The Council was committed at 31 March 2024 to making payments of £2.061m under operating leases comprising the following elements: Other Land and Buildings Vehicles, Plant and Equipment Other Land and Buildings Vehicles, Plant and Equipment £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 213 184 Due within 1 year 485 222 691 162 Due between 1 and 5 years 481 114 1,479 5 Due after 5 years 759 - 2,383 351 Value at 31 March 1,725 336 31st March 2023 31st March 2024 21 FINANCE LEASES 21.1 Finance Leases – Amounts Paid to Lessors During 2017-18 the Council purchased a new cremator for Cardross Crematorium under a finance lease arrangement. The amount paid under this arrangement in 2023-24 was as follows: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 63 Plant and Equipment 63 63 Total 63 21.2 Assets Held Under Finance Leases Assets purchased under a finance lease are included within the assets of the Council and depreciated over the life of the asset as follows: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 Vehicles, Plant and Equipment £'000 376 Value at 1 April 325 - Additions - (51) Depreciation (51) 325 Value at 31 March 274
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 101 21.3 Finance Lease Liability The Council was committed at 31 March 2024 to making payments of £0.301m under finance leases comprising the following elements: Movements in 2023-24 £'000 Balance at 1 April 2023 (349) Additions - Repayments 48 Finance Lease Liability at 31 March 2024 (301) Split: Obligations payable within 1 year (63) Obligations payable between 1 and 5 years (251) Obligations payable after 5 years (29) Finance Lease Obligations at 31 March 2024 (343) Less Interest element of lease 42 Finance Lease Liability at 31 March 2024 (301) Comparative Movements in 2022-23 £'000 Balance at 1 April 2022 (396) Additions - Repayments 47 Finance Lease Liability at 31 March 2023 (349) Split: Obligations payable within 1 year (63) Obligations payable between 1 and 5 years (251) Obligations payable after 5 years (92) Finance Lease Obligations at 31 March 2023 (406) Less Interest element of lease 57 Finance Lease Liability at 31 March 2023 (349)
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 102 22 LONG TERM DEBTORS 31st March 2023 31st March 2024 £'000 £'000 12 House Loans 11 750 Waste PPP Historic Contamination Fund 750 1,801 Charging Orders - Care Home Fees 2,099 3,024 Strategic Housing Fund Loans to Registered Social Landlords 2,879 293 Other Long Term Debtors 77 5,880 Total Long Term Debtors 5,816 23 DEBTORS £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 18,990 Arrears of Local Taxation 20,310 (16,844) Less: Impairment of Bad Debts (17,776) 2,146 2,534 435 Housing Benefits Overpayments 375 (299) Less: Impairment of Bad Debts (277) 136 98 3,382 Debtor Accounts 4,586 (1,172) Less: Expected Credit Loss (1,121) 2,210 3,465 2,742 Net Debtor to Scottish Government for Non Domestic Rates 1,670 4,316 VAT Recoverable from HMRC 2,807 139 Strategic Housing Fund Loans due within 1 Year 145 7,456 Accrued Income 14,576 8,041 Other Debtors 13,073 27,186 Total Debtors 38,368 31 March 202431 March 2023
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 103 24 ASSETS HELD FOR SALE The movement in assets held for sale was: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 1,509 1,554 17 286 - Additions - 84 Revaluation losses - 60 Revaluation gains 189 - Impairment losses - - Assets declassified as "Held for Sale" (Property, Plant and Equipment) - (116) Assets Sold (410) 1,554 Balance Sheet amount at 31st March 2024 1,619 Balance Sheet amount at 1st April 2023 Assets newly classified as "Held for Sale" (Property, Plant and Equipment) Movements 25 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The balance of Cash and Cash Equivalents is made up of the following elements: 31 March 2023 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 4 3 (218) Cash in transit 794 1,976 Short term deposits with banks 633 6,850 Short term deposits in Money Market Funds 1,400 (7,789) Bank Current Accounts (12,821) 823 Total Cash and Cash Equivalents (9,991) Cash held by the Authority
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 104 26 CREDITORS 31 March 2023 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 11,707 Accrued Payrolls and Superannuation 9,174 3,092 Accrued Employer's National Insurance Contributions and PAYE 3,495 7,588 Accrual for Short Term Accumulating Absences 8,272 96 Creditors System Liability (19) 9,095 Accrued Expenditure 10,774 5,006 Health and Social Care Partnership Creditor 3,389 1,022 RCGF Grant Income 2,060 854 Trust Funds 901 - Net Creditor to Scottish Government for Non Domestic Rates 1,408 11,584 Other Creditors 12,920 50,044 Total Creditors 52,374 27 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS DISCLOSURES 27.1 Types of Financial Instruments Accounting regulations require the “Financial Instruments” (investment, lending and borrowing of the Council) shown on the balance sheet to be further analysed into various defined categories. The investments, lending and borrowing disclosed in the Balance Sheet are made up of the following categories of “Financial Instruments”: Long Term Current Long Term Current £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Investments and Lending 11,372 78,669 Financial Assets at Amortised Cost 6,308 48,810 Borrowing 239,187 58,190 209,151 63,406 31 March 202431 March 2023 Financial Liabilities at amortised cost 27.2 Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Carried at Amortised Cost Financial assets (represented by lending and receivables) and financial liabilities (represented by borrowings) are carried in the Balance Sheet at amortised cost. Their fair value can be assessed by calculating the present value of the cash flows that will take place over the remaining period of the instrument, using the following assumptions: • Estimated interest rates at 31 March 2024 for loans from the PWLB were taken from the appropriate interest rate notice and for other loans receivable and payable from market rates obtained by our treasury advisors. • No early repayment or impairment is recognised. • Where an instrument will mature in the next 12 months, the carrying amount is assumed to approximate to fair value. • The fair value of trade and other receivables is taken to be the invoiced or billed amount. The fair values are calculated as follows:
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 105 Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Lending 90,041 90,041 Financial Assets at Amortised Cost 55,118 55,118 Borrowing 297,377 315,566 Financial Liabilities 272,557 272,797 31 March 2023 31 March 2024 The fair value is greater than the carrying amount because the Council’s lending figure includes a number of loans where the interest rate receivable is higher than the rates available for similar loans at the Balance Sheet date. The commitment to receive interest above the current market rates increases the amount the Council would receive if it agreed the early repayment of loans. 27.3 Gains and Losses on Financial Instruments There are no gains and losses recognised in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement in relation to Financial Instruments. 27.4 Nature and Extent of Risks arising from Financial Instruments The Council’s management of treasury risks actively works to minimise the Council’s exposure to the unpredictability of financial markets and to protect the financial resources available to fund services. The Council has fully adopted CIPFA’s Code of Treasury Management Practices and has written principles for overall risk management as well as written policies and procedures covering specific areas such as credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk. 27.5 Credit Risk Credit risk arises from the short-term lending of surplus funds to banks, money market funds, building societies and other local authorities as well as credit exposures to the Council’s customers. It is the policy of the Council to place deposits only with a limited number of high quality banks and money market funds whose credit rating is independently assessed as sufficiently secure by the Council’s treasury advisers and to restrict lending to a prudent maximum amount for each institution. The following analysis summarises the Council’s potential maximum exposure to credit risk, based on past experience and current market conditions. No credit limits were exceeded during the financial year and the Council expects full repayment on the due date of deposits placed with its counterparties. Amount at 31 March 2024 Historical Experience of Non-payment adjusted for Market Conditions at 31 March 2024 Estimated Maximum Exposure to Default and Uncollectability £'000 % £'000 2,033 - - Deposits with Banks and Money Market Funds The information in respect of the Council’s debtors can be found in Notes 22 and 23. The Debtor Accounts represents the amounts owed by the Council’s customers; Other Debtors include prepaid expenditure, accrued income and money owed to the Council in respect of projects being carried out under partnerships where the Council is the lead partner. The bad debt provision shown in Note 23 represents the Council’s assessment of the likely recoverability of the debt outstanding. The credit risk around unprovided for debt is considered to be low. Debtors relate to the normal business
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 106 of the Council and credit is issued on the Council’s standard credit terms. There are no significant amounts past due but not impaired where recoverability is considered to be an issue. 27.6 Liquidity Risk The Council’s main source of borrowing is the Treasury’s Public Works Loans Board (PWLB). There is no significant risk that the Council will be unable to raise finance to meet its commitments under Financial Instruments. The Council has safeguards in place to ensure that a significant proportion of its borrowings does not mature for repayment at any one time in the future to reduce the financial impact of re- borrowing at a time of unfavourable interest rates. The Council’s policy is to ensure that not more than 30% of the loans are due to mature within any financial year through a combination of prudent planning of new loans taken out and, where it is economic to do so, making early repayments. The maturity analysis of financial liabilities is as follows: 31 March 2023 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 63,958 Less than one year 63,404 5,357 Between one and two years 7,219 19,048 Between two and five years 25,773 209,014 More than five years 176,161 297,377 272,557 Maturity analysis of financial liabilities All other amounts due to the Council for council tax, non-domestic rates and other income are due to be paid in less than one year. 27.7 Market Risk Changes in market interest rates influence the interest payable on borrowings and on interest receivable on surplus funds invested. For example, a rise in interest rates would mean an increase in the interest charged on borrowing at variable rates and an increased cost to the taxpayer. An increase in interest rates would also mean an increase in the income received on lending at variable rates and a reduction in cost for the taxpayer. Changes in market rates also affect the notional “fair value” of lending and borrowing. For example, a rise in interest rates would reduce the “fair value” of both lending and borrowing at fixed rates. Changes in “fair value” of lending and borrowing do not impact upon the taxpayer and are confined to prescribed presentational aspects in the Accounts. The Council has a variety of strategies for managing the uncertainty of future interest rates and the financial impact on the Council. It is the policy of the Council to limit its exposure to variable rate borrowing to a maximum of 30% of what it borrows. During periods of falling rates and where it is economically advantageous to do so, the Council will consider the repayment and restructuring of fixed interest rate debt. The Council takes daily advice from its specialist treasury advisers and actively monitors changes in interest rates to inform decisions on the lending of surplus funds, new borrowings and restructuring of existing borrowings. Any potential for a financial impact on the Council is also significantly limited by the Scottish Government’s grant distribution mechanism that automatically adjusts for changes in interest rates in the Government Grant support the Council receives for “loan charges”. To illustrate the impact of changes in interest rates upon the Council, the following table shows the financial effect if rates had been 1% higher at 31 March 2024, with all other variables held constant:
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 107 31 March 2024 Impact on tax-payer £'000 Increase on interest payable on variable rate borrowings 53 Increase in interest receivable on variable rate lending - Increases in government grant receivable for “loan charges” - Net effect on Statement of Comprehensive Income & Expenditure 53 31 March 2024 Other accounting presentational changes £'000 13,965 A decrease in the “fair value” of fixed rate borrowing (disclosure confined to the notes to the financial statements) The impact of a 1% fall in the interest rates would be as above but with the changes being reversed. 27.8 Price Risk The Council has no investment classified as “available-for-sale”. 27.9 Foreign Exchange Risk The Council does not lend or borrow in foreign currencies and has no exposure to gains or losses arising from movements in exchange rates. 27.10 Short-Term Deposits The short-term deposits arise as a result of the timing of expenditure and associated income and movements in fund and revenue balances. The Council adopts a proactive but prudent approach to its Treasury Management operations, which are governed by the fully revised edition of CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management. 31 March 2023 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 8,826 Banks and Money Market Funds 2,033 27.11 Soft Loans The Council has no material soft loans at 31 March 2024, on which no interest was being charged. 27.12 Short-Term Borrowing The Common Good and the various Trust Funds administered by the Council had monies temporarily invested with the Council’s loans fund during the year. The amounts at 31 March 2024 are shown in the table below. Further details of the nature and amounts of the funds of the Common Good and Trust Funds are shown in Notes 36 and 37. 31 March 2023 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 144 Common Good 157 854 Trust Funds 901
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 108 28 OTHER LIABILITIES Other liabilities consist of liabilities which by arrangement are payable at some point in the future or paid off by an annual sum over a period of time. Other liabilities total £107.033m as at 31 March 2024 and comprise the following: Opening Balance 1 April 2024 Movement in Year Closing Balance 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 (349) 48 (301) (111,214) 5,232 (105,982) (750) - (750) Total Other Liabilities (112,313) 5,280 (107,033) Split: Short Term Liabilities (due within 1 year) (5,336) Long Term Liabilities (due after 1 year) (101,697) Total Other Liabilities (107,033) Movements in 2023-24 Finance Lease Liability (See note 21.3) Schools Finance Lease Liability (See note 19.2) Land Contamination 29 PROVISIONS Opening Balance 1 April 2023 Additional Provision Amounts Used Unused Amounts Reversed Closing Balance at 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 (13) (13) Employee Settlement Provision (51) 51 - SRC Intromissions (19) 19 - SW - Mull Homecare Backdated Pay (13) (13) (108) (7) (115) (53) 16 (37) Service Choices Redundancy Costs (16) (137) 14 2 (137) (2,336) (404) (2,740) (237) (44) 37 (244) Litigation Claims (196) (196) Insurance Excess Provision - - (865) (487) 195 132 (1,025) Total Provisions (3,894) (1,092) 279 187 (4,520) Split: Short Term Provisions (due within 1 year) (1,665) Long Term Provisions (due after 1 year) (2,855) Total Other Liabilities (4,520) NPDO and Hub DBFM Payments Equal Pay Claims Commercial Rent Balances Income due to Registered Social Landlords Landfill Sites - Restoration and Aftercare Costs Utilities Provision A provision was created at the end of 2005-06 in relation to employees in catering, cleaning and home care services who had not accepted the Council’s equal pay settlement. There may be further outstanding claims where the settlement amount cannot be estimated reliably enough to provide for the costs.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 109 The Council reduced the discount on Council Tax from second homes to 10% during 2005-06. The additional Council Tax income invoiced during 2023-24 amounted to £2.575m; this amount is to be paid to registered social landlords to invest in social housing. A provision for cash not yet collected has been created amounting to £0.115m. There is a provision for Commercial Rents where arrangements have been put in place for repayment over a number of years. The provision reflects the uncertainty of collection of the debt. Liabilities have arisen in respect of employees who will be made redundant as a result of savings options agreed. The cost for any employee, whose contract has been terminated on or before 31 March 2024 has been incurred in year. For the employees who have confirmed acceptance of redundancy but have left or are leaving after 31 March 2024, a provision of £0.137m has been created. A provision for landfill sites was created in 2014-15 reflecting the Council’s liability for restoration and ongoing maintenance in respect of landfill sites operated by the Council, at Glengorm, Gartbreck and Gott Bay. The landfills sites were revalued at 31 March 2024 and the provision for restoration and aftercare increased to £2.740m. These have been provided for based on the net present value of estimated future costs. The utilities provision was created during 2011-12 to cover a potential liability in relation to discrepancies in charges for utility costs, £0.044m has been reversed during 2023-24 and a further £0.037m additional provision has been added resulting in a total provision of £0.244m. A legal litigation provision was created in 2020-21 as the Council is currently involved in several ongoing cases that will incur costs into future years. The provision is based on sums invoiced and anticipated future costs. The NPDO provision for withheld sums from the Unitary Charge paid to ABC Schools relates to unbilled utility costs, Authority related damage and contract variations. The HUB DBFM provision for withheld sums from the Monthly Service Payment paid to Hub North Scotland (O&C) Ltd relates to unbilled Authority related damage and contract variations. 30 CAPITAL GRANTS RECEIVED IN ADVANCE A Capital Grant of £1.564m was received in advance for 2023-24 in respect of the Cuan Sound/Jura Ferry Programme. Opening Balance 1 April 2023 Capital Grants Received Amounts Used Closing Balance 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 - 1,564 1,564 - - - Total Other Liabilities - 1,564 - 1,564 Split: Capital Grant Receipts in Advance (due within 1 year) - Capital Grant Receipts in Advance (due after 1 year) 1,564 Total Other Liabilities 1,564 HITRANS
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 110 31 DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION SCHEMES Participation in Pension Schemes As part of the terms and conditions of employment of its officers, the Council makes contributions towards the cost of post-employment benefits. Although these benefits will not actually be payable until employees retire, the Council has a commitment to make the payments (for those benefits) and to disclose them at the time that employees earn their future entitlement. The Council participates in two separate pension schemes which meet the needs of employees in particular services. Both schemes provide members with defined benefits related to pay and service. The schemes are as follows: Teachers The Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme is an unfunded scheme administered by the Scottish Government. This means that liabilities for the benefits provided cannot be identified by the Council. The scheme is therefore accounted for as if it were a defined contribution scheme where no liability for future payments of benefits is recognised in the balance sheet and revenue accounts are charged with the employer’s contributions payable to the Scottish Government in the year. Local Government Pension Scheme This is administered by Strathclyde Pension Fund – this is a funded defined benefit final salary scheme, meaning that the Council and employees pay contributions into a fund, calculated at a level intended to balance the pension’s liabilities with investment assets. The contributions are based on rates determined by the Fund’s professionally qualified actuary and based on triennial valuations of the Fund. The principal risks to the Council of the scheme are the longevity assumptions, statutory changes to the scheme, changes to inflation, bond yields and the performance of the equity investments held by the scheme. These are mitigated to a certain extent by the statutory requirements to charge to the General Fund the amounts due by statute as described in the accounting policies note. Legal and Regulatory Uncertainty – Virgin Media vs NTL Pension Trustees II Limited In June 2023, the High Court (Virgin Media Limited v NTL Pension Trustees II Limited) ruled that amendments to certain defined benefit pension schemes were void if they were not accompanied by section 37 actuarial certificates. The Court of Appeal rejected an appeal of this decision in July 2024. The Local Government Pension Scheme is affected by this ruling. The Government Actuary’s Department is the actuary for the Local Government Pension Scheme and has so far failed to evidence that section 37 certificates are in place for all amendments. Work is ongoing to discover whether the evidence exists. Until this work is complete, it is not possible to conclude whether there is any impact on the value of retirement benefits under IAS26 or if it can be reliably estimated. Although this is the current position in law, the Government is being lobbied to make a change to the regulations which would retrospectively validate amendments which would otherwise be void because of a failure to have obtained section 37 certificates. The Government has an existing power to make the necessary regulations but not yet said whether it will do anything. There is also the possibility that Virgin Media could seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. Developments are being monitored. In the current circumstances, it is not considered necessary to make any allowance for the potential impact of the Virgin Media case in the disclosure of the value of retirement benefits in the financial statements. 31.1 Accrued Pensions Contribution Due to the timing of salary processing, not all employee and employer contributions have been paid to the pension schemes by the 31 March 2024. These payments have been accrued and are included within the creditors figure on the Balance Sheet. These have been paid during April 2024. The amounts are as follows: • Local Government Pension Scheme – £2.040m
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 111 • Teachers’ Scheme – £1.304m 31.2 Transactions in Respect of the Local Government Pensions Scheme The latest formal valuation of the Strathclyde Pension Fund for funding purposes was at 31 March 2020. The independent actuaries appointed by the Council are Hymans Robertson and they have assumed that employees have continued to earn new benefits on the same basis as the latest formal valuation and that the employer’s pensionable payroll over the year to 31 March 2024 remains substantially stable with new entrants replacing any leavers. We recognise the cost of retirement benefits in the Net Cost of Services when they are earned by employees, rather than when the benefits are eventually paid as pensions. However, the charge we are required to make against Council Tax is based on the cash payable in the year, so the real cost of retirement benefits is reversed out of the General Fund via the Movement in Reserves Statement. The following transactions have been made in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement and the General Fund via the Movement in Reserves Statement during the year: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 36,689 Current Service Cost 19,119 637 Past Service Cost (Including Curtailments) - 37,326 Net Cost of Services 19,119 141 Net Interest Expense (11,307) - Interest on the Effect of IAS 19 Asset Ceiling 4,711 37,467 12,523 37,377 Return on Assets (excluding amounts included in net interest) (43,972) 46,257 Other Experience (see note (i) below) 56,060 (337,163) Change in Financial and Demographic Assumptions (32,078) - Reversal of 2022-23 IAS 19 Asset Ceiling and Interest Adjustment (103,890) 99,179 IAS 19 Asset Ceiling Adjustment 288,794 (116,883) 177,437 Statement of Movement in Reserves: (19,970) 6,322 17,497 Employer's Contributions Payable to the Scheme 18,845 Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement: Cost of Services: Total Post Employment Benefit Charged to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services Other Post Employment Benefit Charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement Total Post Employment Benefits Charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement Reversal of net charges made to the Surplus or Deficit for the Provision of Services for post employment benefits in accordance with the Code Actual Amount charged against the General Fund Balance for pensions in the year: Service cost comprising:
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 112 (i) A measure of the difference between actual experience and that expected based upon a set of actuarial assumptions, during the period between two actuarial valuation dates, as determined in accordance with a particular cost method. (ASOP No. 4) 31.3 Assets and Liabilities in Relation to Post-Employment Benefits Reconciliation of present value of the scheme liabilities (defined benefit obligation): Reconciliation of fair value of the scheme (plan) assets: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 875,876 861,065 Re-measurement (Gains) and Losses: (37,377) Expected Rate of Return on Pension Fund Assets 43,972 - Actuarial (Gains) and Losses (1,455) 23,634 Interest Income on Plan Assets 40,760 17,497 Employers Contributions 18,845 4,833 Contributions by Scheme Participants 5,280 (23,398) Estimated Benefits Paid (30,102) 861,065 Fair Value of Employer Assets at 31 March 24 938,365 Fair Value of Employer Assets at 1 April 23 The expected return on scheme assets is determined by considering the expected returns available on the assets underlying the current investment policy. Expected yields on fixed interest investments are based on gross redemption yields as at the Balance Sheet date. Expected returns on equity investments reflect long-term real rates of return experienced in the respective markets. An asset ceiling adjustment was included in 2022-23 and 2023-24 to ensure compliance with IAS 19 which limits the measurement of a net defined benefit asset to the lower of the surplus in the defined benefit plan and the asset ceiling. The asset ceiling is defined as the present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan. 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 871,242 622,872 36,689 19,119 637 - 23,775 29,453 4,833 5,280 (311,081) 2,949 (23,398) (30,102) 602,697 649,571 20,175 19,578 622,872 669,149 Defined Benefit Obligation at 1 April 23 Defined Benefit Obligation at 31 March 24 Present Value of Unfunded Liabilities Defined Benefit Obligation at 31 March 24 Re-measurement (Gains) and Losses Contributions by Scheme Participants Interest Cost Past Service Costs including Curtailments Current Service Cost Estimated Benefits Paid
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 113 31.4 Pensions Assets and Liabilities Recognised in the Balance Sheet 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 Local Government Pension Scheme £'000 (602,697) Present Value of Funded Liabilities (649,571) 861,065 Fair Value of Employer Assets 938,365 (99,179) IAS19 Asset Ceiling Adjustment (288,794) 159,189 Surplus/(Deficit) in the Scheme - (20,175) Present Value of Unfunded Liabilities (19,578) 139,014 Net Surplus/(Deficit) in the Scheme (19,578) The liabilities show the underlying commitments that the Council has in the long run to pay post- employment (retirement) benefits.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 114 31.5 Analysis of Pension Fund’s Assets Argyll and Bute Council’s share of the Pension Fund’s assets at 31 March 2024 comprised: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 16,312 Cash and Cash Equivalents 17,395 Equity Instruments (by industry type) 38,629 Consumer 43,350 48,013 Manufacturing 54,078 4,310 Energy and Utilities 8,511 18,331 Financial Institutions 26,936 30,629 Health and Care 25,047 29,776 Information Technology 31,804 - Other - 169,688 Sub-total Equity Instruments 189,726 Bonds (by sector) - Corporate - - Government - - Sub-total Bonds - Real Estate 70,994 UK Property 73,783 - Overseas Property - 70,994 Sub-total Real Estate 73,783 211,640 Private Equity (All) 224,026 Investment Funds and Unit Trusts 285,352 Equities 323,600 99,304 Bonds 109,461 336 Commodities 374 5,529 Infrastructure - 1,911 Other - 392,432 Sub-total Investment Funds and Unit Trusts 433,435 Derivatives (1) Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts - - Other - (1) Sub-total Derivatives - 861,065 Total Assets 938,365
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 115 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 Fair Value of Pension Fund Assets £'000 Equity Securities 168,144 Quoted in an Active Market 189,520 1,544 Not Quoted in an Active Market 206 169,688 Sub-total Equity Securities 189,726 31.6 Basis for Estimating Assets and Liabilities The Council’s share of the liabilities of Strathclyde Pension Fund have been assessed on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method, an estimate of the pensions that will be payable in future years dependent on the assumptions about mortality rates, salary levels, etc. The principal assumptions used by the actuary have been: 2022-23 2023-24 Years Mortality assumptions Years 19.3 Longevity at 65 for current pensioners: Men 20.0 22.2 Women 22.7 20.5 Longevity at 65 for future pensioners: Men 20.9 24.2 Women 24.7 2022-23 2023-24 % Financial Assumptions % 3.0% Rate of Inflation (CPI) 2.8% 3.7% Rate of Increase in Salaries 3.5% 3.0% Rate of Increase in Pensions (CPI) 2.8% 4.8% Rate for discounting scheme liabilities 4.8% 2022-23 2023-24 % Long-term Expected Rate of Return on Assets in the Fund % 4.8% Equity Investments 4.8% 4.8% Bonds 4.8% 4.8% Property 4.8% 4.8% Cash 4.8% An allowance is included for future retirements to elect to take 50% of the maximum additional tax- free cash up to HMRC limits for pre-April 2009 service and 75% of the maximum tax-free cash for post- April 2009 service. For sensitivity analysis on the net pension asset please see Note 4 on page 76.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 116 31.7 Asset and Liability Matching (ALM) Strategy The main fund (Fund 1) of Strathclyde Pension fund does not have an asset and liability matching strategy (ALM) as this is used mainly by mature funds. The Fund does match, to the extent possible, the types of assets invested to the liabilities in the defined benefit obligation. As is required by the pensions and investment regulations, the suitability of various types of investment has been considered, as has the need to diversify investments to reduce the risk of being invested into too narrow a range. 31.8 Impact on the Council’s Cash Flow The objectives of the Fund are to keep employers’ contributions at as constant a rate as possible. The Fund has agreed a strategy to achieve a funding rate of 100% in the longer term. The Scheme is a multi-employer defined benefit plan and employers’ contributions have been determined so that employee and employer rates are standard across all participating Local Authorities. Employer’s contributions have been set at 6.5% for 2024-2025. The total contributions expected to be made to the Local Government Pension Scheme by the Council in the year to 31 March 2025 is £5.780m. This is based on an assumed pensionable payroll of £88.926m. The assumed weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligation for the Council falls into the “Medium” duration category which is between 17 and 23 years (this is different from the mortality assumptions quoted in the table above in “Basis for Estimating Assets and Liabilities”). 31.9 Teachers Pensions – Administered By Scottish Public Pensions Agency Teachers employed by the Council are members of the Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme, administered by the Scottish Public Pensions Agency. The Scheme is an unfunded statutory public service pension scheme with benefits underwritten by the UK Government. The Scheme is financed by payments from employers and from those current employees who are members of the Scheme and paying contributions at progressively higher marginal rates based on pensionable pay, as specified by the regulations. Employers currently pay a contribution rate of 23% - about two thirds of the cost of an individual's pension. This took effect from 1 September 2019. The Council has no liability for other employers’ obligations to the multi-employer scheme. As the scheme is unfunded there can be no deficit or surplus to distribute on the wind-up of the Scheme or withdrawal from the Scheme. The scheme is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme. It is accepted that the scheme can be treated for accounting purposes as a defined contribution scheme in circumstances where the Authority is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme. At the last valuation a shortfall of £1.3 billion was identified in the notional fund which will be repaid by a supplementary rate of 4.5% of employers’ pension contributions for fifteen years from 1 April 2015. This contribution is included in the 23% employers’ contribution rate. As a proportion of the total contributions into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme during the year ended 31 March 2024, the council’s own contributions equate to 1.53%.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 117 9,853 Amount Paid Over (£'000) 10,779 23.00% Rate of Contribution (%) 23.00% 508 Amount of Added Years Awarded by the Council (£'000) 507 2023-242022-23 The contributions due to be paid to the Teacher’s Scheme by the Council in the next financial year are estimated to be £12.707m. 32 UNUSABLE RESERVES Movements in the Council’s unusable reserves are detailed in the Statement of Movement in Reserves. 32.1 Revaluation Reserve The Revaluation Reserve contains the gains made by the Council arising from increases in the value of its Property, Plant and Equipment. The balance is reduced when assets with accumulated gains are: • Revalued downwards or impaired and the gains are lost • Used in the provision of services and the gains are consumed through depreciation, or • Disposed of and the gains are realised. The reserve contains only revaluation gains accumulated since 1 April 2007, the date that the Reserve was created. Accumulated gains arising before that date are consolidated into the balance on the Capital Adjustment Account. 32.2 Capital Adjustment Account The Capital Adjustment Account absorbs the timing differences arising from the different arrangements for accounting for the consumption of non-current assets and for financing the acquisition, construction or additions to those assets under statutory provisions. The Account is debited with the cost of acquisition, construction or subsequent costs as depreciation, impairment losses and amortisations which are charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (with reconciling postings from the Revaluation Reserve to convert current and fair value figures to a historical cost basis). The Account is credited with the amounts set aside by the Council as finance for the costs of acquisition, construction and subsequent costs. The Account contains accumulated gains and losses on Investment Properties. The Account also contains revaluation gains accumulated on Property, Plant and Equipment before 1 April 2007, the date the Revaluation Reserve was created to hold such gains. 32.3 Financial Instruments Adjustment Account The Financial Instruments Adjustment Account absorbs the timing differences arising from the different arrangements for accounting for income and expenses relating to certain financial instruments and for bearing losses or benefiting from gains per statutory provisions. The Council uses the Account to manage premiums paid on the early redemption of loans. Premiums are debited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement when they are incurred, but reversed out of the General Fund Balance to the Account in the Movement in Reserves Statement. Over time, the expense is posted back to the General Fund Balance in accordance with statutory arrangements for spreading the burden on Council Tax.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 118 32.4 Pensions Reserve The Pensions Reserve absorbs the timing differences arising from the different arrangements for accounting for post-employment benefits and for funding benefits in accordance with statutory provisions. The Council accounts for post-employment benefits in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as the benefits are earned by employees accruing years of service, updating the liabilities recognised to reflect inflation, changing assumptions and investment returns on any resources set aside to meet the costs. However, statutory arrangements require benefits earned to be financed as the Council makes employer’s contributions to pension funds. The Pensions Reserve shows a negative position at the end of 2023-24 due to the impact of the inclusion of the asset ceiling to meet the requirements of IAS 19. 32.5 Accumulated Absences Account The Accumulated Absences Account absorbs the differences that would otherwise arise on the General Fund Balance from accruing for compensated absences earned but not taken in the year, e.g. annual leave entitlement carried forward at 31 March. Statutory arrangements require that the impact on the General Fund Balance is neutralised by transfers to or from the Account. 33 USABLE RESERVES Movements in the Council’s usable reserves are detailed in the Statement of Movement in Reserves. 33.1 Capital Funds The Council holds two funds which make up the Capital Funds total in the Statement of Movement in Reserves, these are: Usable Capital Receipts Reserve During the 2006-07 financial year, and prior to the transfer of the Council’s housing stock during November 2006, the receipts from the sale of council houses were transferred to the Usable Capital Receipts Reserve. The amounts held in this reserve can only be used for social housing capital expenditure. Capital Fund During the 2007-08 financial year the Council established a Capital Fund under Section 22 of Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975. All receipts from capital disposals are to be paid into this fund with effect from 14 February 2008. The movement in the Usable Capital Receipts Reserve and Capital Fund are as follows: Usable Capital Receipts Reserve Capital Fund Total Capital Funds £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 1 April 2023 2,935 1,568 4,503 Proceeds of Disposals - 671 671 Transfer to Capital Adjustment Account - (2,207) (2,207) Contribution to Capital Fund From Revenue - - - Interest Earned 145 85 230 Balance at 31 March 2024 3,080 117 3,197 Movements in 2023-24
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 119 33.2 Repairs and Renewals Fund The movement in the Education Repairs and Renewals Fund is as follows: Balance at 1 April 2023 Contribution from Revenue Interest Earned Contribution to Revenue Balance at 31 March 2024 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Education 2,916 (860) 135 572 2,763 Total 2,916 (860) 135 572 2,763 Movements in 2023-24 34 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 34.1 Equal Pay Claims The Council settled a number of equal pay claims during 2017-18, however there are a small number remaining where the outcome of the applications are unknown and there is insufficient information to allow the potential cost of these claims to be provided for. There is also the potential for other equal pay claims whose costs may be met by the Council. 34.2 Goodwin Judgement The Social Security Act 1986 introduced changes to survivor pensions which resulted in most public service pension schemes providing survivor benefits to widowers (male survivors in opposite-sex marriages) based on the female spouse’s service from 6 April 1988 onwards. Since the introduction of civil partnerships and same sex marriages, public service pension schemes have provided survivor benefits in respect of both which have been in line with those paid to widowers. An employment tribunal (the Goodwin case) concluded on 30 June 2020 that a female member in an opposite sex marriage is treated less favorably than a female in a same sex marriage or civil partnership, and that treatment amounts to direct discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. Where schemes contain provisions deemed discriminatory, those provisions must be dis-applied as being contrary to the non-discrimination rule set out in section 61 of the Equality Act 2010. In light of this ruling the Chief Secretary to the Treasury has confirmed that amendments would be made to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and other public service pension schemes so that “surviving male same-sex and female same-sex spouses and civil partners will, in certain cases, receive benefits equivalent to those received by widows of opposite sex marriages” There is still uncertainty surrounding the potential remedy to the Goodwin judgement however the Council’s actuaries have estimated the potential impact of implementing a solution to correct the past underpayment of spouses’ benefits to be circa 0.1% of gross obligations. This would amount to £0.669m at 0.1% for the Council. As there is still uncertainty over the remedy and the potential impact no provision has been made in the accounts at the current time. 34.3 SRC Intromissions The Local Government (Transitional Financial Provisions) (Scotland) Order 1996, ‘the Order’ provided for the appointment of Glasgow City Council (GCC), as the relevant Accounting Authority for residual matters relating to the former Strathclyde Regional Council (SRC), on behalf of the successor authorities. This places a duty on GCC to account to successor authorities in respect of all expenditure and income attributable to its duties as Accounting Authority, to be shared across successor authorities on a Council Tax Band D Equivalent basis. Actual claims to date have already been accounted for within the financial statements however an
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 120 exercise has now been completed by GCC to collate known information in relation to any outstanding ex- SRC cases. This information and information already known to GCC was identified within the claims management system giving a total of 256 outstanding claims at this time. All outstanding claims has been assigned an estimated cost, however they have not yet been subject to any due diligence by the council’s claim team and must therefore be considered notional. The actual settlement value remains uncertain until the legal/settlement process has been completed. 34.4 Other Legal Challenges There may be other legal challenges on-going which could result in future liabilities. 35 TERMINATION BENEFITS A number of savings options have been agreed at Council budget meetings to balance the Council budget. A number of these savings options were reliant on a reduction in the Councils staffing levels. The Council had forewarning of the level of savings required to balance the budget and had previously asked all Council employees to express an interest in voluntary redundancy. As a result of the budget savings options approved by the Council a number of employees have had their redundancy application accepted. Redundancy costs have been incurred by the Council since the 2010-11 financial year in relation to the budget savings agreed. In each year, provision was made within the financial year for the costs of all employees who had accepted redundancy or where redundancy was probable as at 31 March ending that year, including accounting for costs for employees who confirmed redundancy by 31 March but left or were leaving after this date. Termination costs for all Council employees who have accepted redundancy by 31 March 2024 are recognised in the Exit Packages note in 2023-24, or in previous financial years. The total cost recognised in the Exit Packages note in 2023-24 is £0.276m for 4 employees and in 2022-23 was £0.622m for 10 employees. These costs are detailed further in the Remuneration Report on page 50. The reduction in the staffing establishment includes posts from all services across the Council and reductions were in line with the savings agreed by the Council. There will be further redundancy costs incurred as the Council is required to make further savings to balance the budget in future years and the council have earmarked monies from the loans fund one-off reprofiling gain.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 121 36 TRUST FUNDS AND OTHER THIRD PARTY FUNDS The Council acts as sole or custodian trustee for 57 trust funds. The funds do not represent assets of the Council, and as such have not been included in the Balance Sheet. Funds for which the Council act as sole trustee: Income Expenditure Net Assets Reserves £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 23 17 707 707 3 3 67 67 35 - 1,208 1,208 22 16 470 470 Total Trust Funds 83 36 2,452 2,452 Argyll Education Trust GM Duncan Trust MacDougall Trust Various Other Trust Funds Argyll Education Trust: this is made up of a number of small trusts to award prizes, bursaries, etc. to pupils and ex-pupils of schools within the former Argyll County Council area. GM Duncan Trust: for the provision of fuel, clothing and foodstuffs for the needy of Campbeltown. MacDougall Trust: for the provision of sheltered housing on the Ross of Mull. Further information on the Trust Funds, administered by the Council, can be obtained from Financial Services within the Chief Executive’s Unit. A number of the trust funds administered by the Council are charitable trusts and as such are required to comply with current Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator (OSCR) financial reporting requirements. Arrangements have been put in place to ensure that all charities administered by the Council comply and will continue to comply with these requirements. 37 COMMON GOOD FUNDS The Council administers the Common Good Accounts for the former Burghs of Oban, Campbeltown, Rothesay, Dunoon, Lochgilphead, Inveraray, Cove and Kilcreggan. The figures below summarise the aggregate income and expenditure for the year as well as providing a snapshot picture of the assets and liabilities at 31 March 2024. The Common Good Funds are for the benefit of the geographical areas of the former burghs. Further information on the Common Good Funds can be obtained from Financial Services. 37.1 Common Good Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31 March 2024 Oban Common Good Other Common Goods Total Common Good Oban Common Good Other Common Goods Total Common Good £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 258 74 332 Expenditure 129 54 183 (57) (42) (99) Income (232) (150) (382) 201 32 233 (Surplus)/Deficit for the Year (103) (96) (199) 2022-23 2023-24
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 122 37.2 Common Good Balance Sheet at 31 March 2024 Oban Common Good Other Common Goods Total Common Good Oban Common Good Other Common Goods Total Common Good £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 5,711 319 6,030 Tangible Fixed Assets 5,622 319 5,941 1,939 1,148 3,087 Investments 2,113 1,252 3,365 147 183 330 Current Assets 171 176 347 (15) - (15) Current Liabilities (21) (1) (22) 7,782 1,650 9,432 Total Assets less Liabilities 7,885 1,746 9,631 5,711 323 6,034 Revaluation Reserve 5,620 323 5,943 2,071 1,327 3,398 Common Good Fund 2,263 1,423 3,686 7,782 1,650 9,432 Total Net Worth 7,883 1,746 9,629 2022-23 2023-24 38 TAX INCREMENTAL FINANCING (TIF) PROJECTS The Council entered into an agreement with the Scottish Government in May 2014 in respect of the Lorn Arc Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) scheme. This agreement essentially allows for the repayment of debt arising from infrastructure investment from incremental Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) revenue. The assets to be funded by the TIF project largely comprise public realm and infrastructure improvements within the Lorn Arc area of Oban. The project is for 25 years, with the first material capital investment incurred during the financial year ended 31 March 2015. During the TIF project period, the Council is entitled to retain the TIF revenue from its NDR revenue, a pro-rata amount of NDR equal to the amount (if any) by which the collected amount exceeds the collectable amount. The Council is required to apply 100% of the TIF revenue towards repayment of the TIF debt. If all projects are delivered and debt is fully paid, the Council can retain 50% of the TIF revenue for further infrastructure investment until the end of the TIF period. Net capital expenditure incurred in the year to 31 March 2024, to be funded from borrowing, in respect of TIF assets totalled £0.016m (2022-23 £0.023m). This is reflected in the “Summary of Capital Expenditure and Financing” outlined within Note 15.4. The total TIF debt to be repaid over the project period, in respect of investment to 31 March 2024, has been calculated in accordance with finance circular No. 4/2014 at £1.027m (2022-23 £1.011m). There is a retention of £0.804m of TIF income during 2023-24 (2022-23 £0.623m) to repay the notional borrowing for TIF. Principal sums accumulated by 2023-24 amount to £0.139m (2022-23 £0.137m) and cumulative interest £0.118m (2022-23 £0.117m) resulting in a net cumulative surplus of £2.551m (2022- 23 £1.749m) which will be used to pay down TIF debt per the TIF agreement and the balance of £1.663m will be placed in earmarked reserves to be used in future years to repay debt costs.
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 123 39 CASH FLOW STATEMENT – OPERATING ACTIVITIES The Net Cash Flows for Operating Activities can be reconciled to the Net (Surplus)/Deficit on the Provision of Services as follows: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 6,047 Net (Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services (9,765) 3,356 Statutory Adjustments through Statement of Movement in Reserves 16,341 322 Transfer to/from Other Statutory Reserves 77 288 Increase/(Decrease) in Inventories (87) 6,355 Increase/(Decrease) in Debtors 12,763 (6,503) (Increase)/Decrease in Creditors and Provisions (3,246) (16,041) Earmarked Reserves (1,532) (2,938) Capital Financed from Current Revenue (1,616) (4,277) Loans Fund Repayments (6,111) (1,872) Other Revenue Adjustments 4,996 (21,310) 21,585 11,071 Non Cash Capital 10,743 (5,116) Capital Element of Finance Lease Payments (449) 5,955 10,294 (9,308) Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities 22,114 6,742 Interest Paid on Borrowings 5,097 8,887 Interest Paid on Finance Leases 8,599 (748) Interest Received on Bank Deposits (3,469) 14,881 Net Cash Outflow from Servicing of Finance 10,227 Adjustments to Net (Surplus)/Deficit on the Provision of Service for Non Cash Movements: Adjustments for items included in the Net (Surplus)/Deficit on the Provision of Services that are Investing and Financing Activities: The cash flows for Operating Activities include the following items: 40 CASH FLOW STATEMENT – INVESTING ACTIVITIES The cash flows for Investing Activities include the following items: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 25,659 25,221 (17,500) (37,500) (568) (671) (21,914) (25,687) (14,323) Net Cash Outflow from Investing Activities (38,637) Purchase of Property, Plant and Equipment, Investment Property and Intangible and Heritage Assets Proceeds from the Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment and Investment Property Other Receipts from Investing Activities Investments made/(disposed of) during year
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Notes to the Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 124 41 CASH FLOW STATEMENT – FINANCING ACTIVITIES The cash flows for Financing Activities include the following items: 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 (35,228) (31,128) 2,021 (1,072) 5,116 5,280 70,627 54,257 42,536 Net Cash (Inflow)/Outflow from Financing Activities 27,337 Cash Payments for the Reduction of the Outstanding Liabilities relating to Finance Leases and on Balance Sheet PFI Contracts Other Receipts from Financing Activities Repayments of Short and Long Term Borrowing Cash Receipts of Short and Long Term Borrowing
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Council Tax Income Account www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 125 The Council Tax Income Account shows the gross income raised from council tax levied and deductions made under the Local Government Finance Act 1992. The resultant net income is transferred to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement of the Council. 2022-23 2023-24 Actual Actual £'000 £'000 72,340 Gross Council Tax Levied and Contributions in Lieu excluding RSL Second Home Additional Income 76,511 Less: (13,269) Other Discounts and Reductions (14,008) (4,300) Cost of living contribution (grant funded) - (1,411) Provision for Bad and Doubtful Debts (1,490) 53,360 Total 61,013 540 Adjustment to Previous Years' Community Charge and Council Tax 896 53,900 Transfers to General Fund 61,909
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Notes to the Council Tax Income Account www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 126 1. CALCULATION OF THE COUNCIL TAX Dwellings are valued by the Assessor and placed within a valuation band ranging from the lowest “A” to the highest “H”. The Council Tax charge is calculated using the Council Tax Base, Band D equivalent as below. This value is then decreased or increased dependent upon the band of the dwelling. The charge for each band for 2023-24 was as follows: Band Valuation Band £ per year A Up to £27,000 986.13 B £27,001 - £35,000 1,150.49 C £35,001 - £45,000 1,314.84 D £45,001 - £58,000 1,479.20 E £58,001 - £80,000 1,943.50 F £80,001 - £106,000 2,403.70 G £106,001 - £212,000 2,896.77 H Over £212,000 3,624.04 6/9 7/9 8/9 9/9 473/360 585/360 705/360 882/360 Ratio Band D 2. CALCULATION OF THE COUNCIL TAX BASE 2023-24 Council Tax Base A B C D E F G H Total Total Number of Properties 7,447 10,136 9,564 6,415 7,769 4,520 3,035 258 49,144 Less - 1,036 792 1,003 534 637 271 167 52 4,491 - 932 1,145 821 494 471 229 123 6 4,220 Effective Number of Properties 5,479 8,199 7,740 5,388 6,661 4,021 2,746 201 40,434 Band D Equivalent Factor (ratio) 67% 78% 89% 100% 131% 163% 196% 245% 3,653 6,377 6,880 5,388 8,752 6,533 5,378 491 43,452 Add Contribution in lieu in respect of Class 18 dwellings (Band D Equivalent) 518 Nominal Tax Yield 43,970 Less Provision for Council Tax Reduction Scheme 9.08% 3,994 Council Tax Base 2023-24 - Number of Band D equivalents 39,976 Exemptions / Deductions Adjustment for Single Chargepayers Band D Equivalent Number of Properties
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Non Domestic Rate Income Account www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 127 The Non-Domestic Rate Income Account is an agent’s statement that reflects the statutory obligation for billing authorities to maintain a separate Non-Domestic Rate Account. The statement shows the gross income from the rates and deductions made under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 as amended by the Local Government Finance Act 1992 on non-domestic property. The net income is paid to the Scottish Government as a contribution to the national non-domestic rate pool. 2022-23 2023-24 Actual Actual £'000 £'000 56,489 Gross rates levied and Contributions in Lieu 68,224 Less: (17,430) Reliefs and other deductions (21,766) - Payment of Interest - (391) Write-off of Uncollectable Debts and Allowance for Impairment (464) 38,668 Total Net Non-Domestic Rate Income 45,994 (3,487) Adjustments for prior years (858) - Business Rate Incentivisation Scheme (BRIS) NDR Income Retained - (647) Tax Incremental Finance (TIF) Scheme NDR Income Retained (804) 34,534 Contribution to National Non-Domestic Rate Pool 44,332 (1,355) Difference between Distributable and Contributable NDR Income amounts (6,687) 33,179 Distribution from Non-Domestic Rate Pool credited to Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement 37,645
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Notes to the Non Domestic Rate Income Account www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 128 1. ANALYSIS OF RATEABLE VALUES 2022-23 2023-24 £ £ 9,490,265 Industrial and freight transport subjects 11,125,355 74,472,465 Miscellaneous including Telecomms, Rail, Gas and Electricity Companies 87,231,569 Commercial subjects: 13,921,035 Shops 16,202,980 5,773,370 Offices 6,187,070 8,818,450 Hotels, Boarding Houses etc. 13,919,931 1,916,145 Others 2,395,685 114,391,730 Total Rateable Value 137,062,590 2. NON-DOMESTIC RATE CHARGE 2022-23 2023-24 Pence Pence 49.8p Rate Per Pound 49.8p 1.3p Supplementary Rate Per Pound for Properties between £51,000 and £95,000 1.3p 2.6p Supplementary Rate Per Pound for Properties over £95,000 2.6p 3. CALCULATION OF RATE CHARGE FOR EACH PROPERTY The rates charge for each subject is determined by the rateable value placed upon it by the Assessor multiplied by the Rate per £ announced each year by the Government.
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Group Accounts - Introduction www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ______________________________________________ Page 129 INTRODUCTION The Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023-24: Based on International Financial Reporting Standards, places a requirement on Councils to consider all their interests in external organisations including limited companies and other statutory bodies. Where the interest is considered to be material, the Council is required to prepare a full set of group accounts in addition to those prepared for Argyll and Bute Council. The Group Accounts are designed to show “a true and fair view” of the financial performance and position of the Council’s Group. THE GROUP ACCOUNTS The Group Accounts comprise the following financial statements: • Group Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure: this statement shows the accounting cost in the year of providing the Council’s services and its share of the results of its associates in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards, rather than the amount to be funded from taxation. Local authorities raise taxation to cover expenditure in accordance with regulations, and this is different from the accounting cost. The taxation position is shown in the Statement of Movement in Reserves. • Group Balance Sheet: The Balance Sheet is a snapshot of the value at the 31 March 2024 of the assets and liabilities recognised by the Council and its share of the net assets or liabilities of its associates and Common Good funds. The net assets of the Council (assets less liabilities) are matched by the reserves held by the Council. The net investment or liability in its associates is matched by its share of the reserves of the associates (i.e. its group reserves). • Group Statement of Movement in Reserves: this statement shows the movement in the year on the reserves held by the Council plus its share of the reserves of its associates. The Common Good reserves are also fully consolidated into the Group Accounts. The Council’s reserves are analysed into those which are “Usable Reserves” (i.e. those that can be applied to fund expenditure or reduce local taxation) and other reserves. The Council’s share of the reserves of Associates is an unusable reserve (i.e. it cannot be used to fund expenditure or reduce taxation). The Council’s Statement of Movement in Reserves gives a more detailed analysis of the movement in the Council’s usable and unusable reserves during 2023-24. • Group Cash Flow Statement: The Cash Flow Statement shows the changes in cash and cash equivalents of the Council and its associates Common Good Funds. The statement shows how the Group generates and uses cash and cash equivalents by classifying cash flows as operating, investing and financing activities. The amounts of net cash flow arising from operating activities is a key indicator of the extent to which the operations of the Group are funded by way of taxation and grant income or from the recipients of services provided by the Group. Investing activities represent the extent to which cash outflows have been made for resources which are intended to contribute to the Group’s future service delivery. Cash flows arising from financing activities are useful in predicting claims on future cash flows by providers of capital (i.e. borrowing) to the Group.
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www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ____________________________________________________________________________________ Page 130 Group Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Gross Expenditure Gross Income Net Expenditure Gross Expenditure Gross Income Net Expenditure £'000 £'000 £'000 Service £'000 £'000 £'000 26,810 18,209 8,601 Chief Executive and Financial Services 1,281 95 1,186 160,700 25,514 135,186 Executive Director - Douglas Hendry 159,449 25,620 133,829 109,504 39,545 69,959 Executive Director - Kirsty Flanagan 137,148 62,322 74,826 174,434 94,948 79,486 Health and Social Care Integration 181,285 103,209 78,076 10,228 2,303 7,925 Other Non-Departmental Costs 9,979 678 9,301 1,577 (837) 2,414 Associates and Joint Ventures Accounted for on an Equity Basis 1,364 2,716 (1,352) 483,253 179,682 303,571 Net Cost of Services 490,506 194,640 295,866 Other Operating Income and Expenditure: (437) Net (Gain)/loss on Disposal of Fixed Assets (262) 1,643 Other Operating Income and Expenditure 1,670 1,206 Total Other Operating Income and Expenditure 1,408 Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure: 10,416 Interest Payable and Similar charges 14,037 (2,966) Interest and Investment Income (4,881) 141 Net Pension Interest Expense (6,596) 7,591 Total Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure 2,560 Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income: (191,775) General Government Grants (187,193) (22,549) Government Capital Grants and Other Capital Contributions (23,550) (33,826) Non-domestic Rates Redistribution and Retained Non-domestic Rates (TIF & BRIS) (38,449) (53,900) Council Tax Income (61,909) (302,050) Total Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income (311,101) 10,318 (Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services (11,267) (21,104) (Surplus)/Deficit on revaluation of Fixed Assets (10,097) (159,031) Other Post Employment Benefits (Pensions) 165,164 0 Share of Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure of Associates and Common Good Funds 2 (180,135) Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 155,069 (169,817) Total Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 143,802 2022-23 2023-24
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Group Balance Sheet www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ________________________________________________ Page 131 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Long Term Assets Property Plant & Equipment 451,018 - Other Land and Buildings 457,369 10,872 - Vehicles, Plant, Furniture and Equipment 11,012 235,076 - Infrastructure Assets 239,372 14,922 - Community Assets 15,051 3,286 - Surplus Assets 4,620 21,440 - Assets Under Construction 35,724 736,614 Total Property Plant & Equipment 763,148 2,345 Heritage Assets 2,569 733 Intangible Assets 888 2,553 Investment Property 2,514 5,880 Long-Term Debtors 5,816 8,579 Long-Term Investments 3,857 139,014 Other Long-Term Debtors (Pensions) - 296 Investment in Associates and Joint Ventures 299 896,014 Total Long Term Assets 779,091 Current Assets 1,145 Inventories 1,059 27,256 Short Term Debtors (Net of Impairment) 38,544 1,554 Assets Held for Sale 1,619 60,000 Short Term Investments 27,500 3,279 Cash and Cash Equivalents (7,923) 8,927 Investment in Associates and Joint Ventures 10,238 102,161 Total Current Assets 71,037 Current Liabilities (11,676) Short-term Borrowing (13,323) (50,725) Short-term Creditors (53,076) (1,450) Provisions (1,665) (5,280) Other Short Term Liabilities (5,336) (45) Liabilities in Associates and Joint Ventures (6) (69,176) Total Current Liabilities (73,406) Long-term Liabilities (132,155) Borrowing Repayable within a Period in Excess of 12 Months (107,458) (107,033) Other Long-term liabilities (101,697) (75) Other Long-term liabilities (Pensions) (19,578) (2,444) Provisions (2,855) - Capital Grant Receipts in Advance (1,564) - Liabilities in Associates and Joint Ventures (78) (241,707) Total Long-term Liabilities (233,230) 687,292 Total Assets less Liabilities 543,492 31 March 202431 March 2023
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Group Balance Sheet www.argyll-bute.gov.uk ________________________________________________ Page 132 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Unusable Reserves 174,952 - Revaluation Reserve 180,661 268,788 - Capital Adjustment Account 249,093 (1,871) - Financial Instruments Adjustment Account (1,585) 139,014 - Pensions Reserve (19,578) (7,588) - Accumulated Absences Account (8,272) 573,295 400,319 Usable Reserves 4,503 - Capital Funds 3,197 2,916 - Repairs and Renewals Funds 2,763 86,356 - General Fund Balance 115,741 93,775 121,701 10,791 Group Reserves 11,846 9,431 Common Good Reserves 9,626 687,292 Total Reserves 543,492 31 March 202431 March 2023 The Unaudited Annual Accounts were issued on 27 June 2024 and the Audited Annual Accounts were authorised for issue on 20 December 2024. Kirsty Flanagan Section 95 Officer 20 December 2024
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Group Statement of Movement in Reserves www.argyll-bute.gov.uk __________________________________________________________________________________ Page 133 Movements in 2023-24 General Fund Balance Repairs and Renewals Fund Capital Funds Total Usable Reserves Total Unusable Reserves Total Reserves of the Council Total Live Argyll Reserves Usable Total Live Argyll Reserves Unusable £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 31 March 2023 (86,356) (2,916) (4,503) (93,775) (573,295) (667,070) (9,103) (1,689) - (9,431) (687,293) (Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services (9,765) - - (9,765) - (9,765) (1,352) 49 - (198) (11,266) Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure (36,038) - - (36,038) 190,855 154,817 2 250 - - 155,069 Total Comprehensive Income and Expenditure (45,803) - - (45,803) 190,855 145,051 (1,350) 299 - (198) 143,802 Total Statutory Adjustments (See Page 55 to 56) 20,630 - (671) 19,959 (19,959) - - - - - Net (Increase)/Decrease before Transfers to Other Statutory Reserves (25,173) - (671) (25,844) 170,896 145,051 (1,350) 299 - (198) 143,802 Transfer to/from Other Statutory Reserves 77 153 1,977 2,207 (2,207) - - - - - - Adjustments permitted by Accounting Standards (4,289) - - (4,289) 4,289 - - (Increase)/Decrease in Year (29,385) 153 1,306 (27,926) 172,976 145,051 (1,350) 299 - (198) 143,802 Balance at 31 March 2024 Carried Forward (115,741) (2,763) (3,198) (121,702) (400,319) (522,020) (10,453) (1,390) - (9,629) (543,492) Council's Share of Reserves of Associates Total Common Good Reserves Total Reserves Other Transfers required by Statute Argyll and Bute Council Usable Reserves
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Group Statement of Movement in Reserves www.argyll-bute.gov.uk __________________________________________________________________________________ Page 134 Comparative Movements in 2022-23 General Fund Balance Repairs and Renewals Fund Capital Funds Total Usable Reserves Total Unusable Reserves Total Reserves of the Council £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 Balance at 31 March 2022 (96,081) (2,682) (4,414) (103,177) (394,483) (497,660) (11,647) (2,055) 3,550 (9,664) (517,476) Surplus/(Deficit) on Provision of Services 6,047 - - 6,047 - 6,047 2,416 1,625 - 233 10,321 Other Comprehensive Expenditure and Income - - - - (175,454) (175,454) 128 (4,809) - - (180,136) Total Comprehensive Expenditure and Income 6,047 - - 6,047 (175,454) (169,407) 2,544 (3,184) - 233 (169,815) Total Statutory Adjustments (See Page 57 to 58) 6,979 - (568) 6,411 (6,411) - - 3,550 (3,550) - - Net (Increase)/Decrease before Transfers to Other Statutory Reserves 13,026 - (568) 12,458 (181,865) (169,407) 2,544 366 (3,550) 233 (169,815) Transfer to/from Other Statutory Reserves 322 (234) 480 568 (568) - - - - - - Adjustments permitted by Accounting Standards (3,623) (3,623) 3,623 (Increase)/Decrease in Year 9,725 (234) (88) 9,403 (178,810) (169,407) 2,544 366 (3,550) 233 (169,815) Balance at 31 March 2023 Carried Forward (86,356) (2,916) (4,503) (93,775) (573,295) (667,070) (9,103) (1,689) 0 (9,431) (687,292) Other Transfers Total Common Good Reserves Total Reserves Other Transfers required by Statute Argyll and Bute Council Usable Reserves Council's Share of Reserves of Associates Total Live Argyll Reserves Usable Total Live Argyll Reserves Unusable
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Group Cash Flow Statement www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 135 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 Group Note £'000 10,318 Net Deficit on the Provision of Services (11,267) (26,155) Adjustments to net surplus or deficit on the provision of services for non-cash movements 26,740 5,809 Adjustments for items included in the net surplus or deficit on the provision of services that are investing and financing activities 5,741 (10,028) Net Cash OutFlow from Operating Activities 8 21,214 (13,252) Investing Activities 9 (37,362) 42,536 Financing Activities 10 27,350 19,256 Net (Increase)/Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents 11,202 (22,535) Cash and Cash Equivalents at the beginning of the Reporting Period (3,279) (3,279) Cash and Cash Equivalents at the end of the Reporting Period 7,923
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Notes to the Group Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 136 1. GROUP ACCOUNTING POLICIES The group accounts are prepared in accordance with the policies set out in Note 1 to the Financial Statements. 2. COMBINING ENTITIES The Council has an interest in a number of Associate Entities. For the purposes of consolidation and incorporation within the Group Accounts recognition has been made of the Council’s significant influence over Joint Boards and other entities. The Associates which have been incorporated are: • Dunbartonshire and Argyll & Bute Valuation Joint Board Under accounting standards, the Council is required to include the results of the above organisations as “associates” because it has “significant influence” over their financial and operating policies. The Council has no shares in or ownership of any of these organisations which are entirely independent of the Council under law and for taxation. Live Argyll is a wholly owned subsidiary of Argyll and Bute Council and is consolidated within the group accounts on a line by line basis. The accounting period for all entities is 31 March 2024. 3. NON MATERIAL INTEREST IN OTHER ENTITIES The Council has an interest in Scotland Excel. Scotland Excel took up the activities of the Authorities Buying Consortium and similar bodies across the Scottish Local Authority sector on 1 April 2008. Renfrewshire Council prepare the financial statements for Scotland Excel in its role as lead authority. Scotland Excel is a not-for-profit organisation funded mainly by the 32 participating Scottish Local Authorities. The Council contributed £0.065m towards Scotland Excel in the 2023-24 financial year. The Council also has an interest in the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS). The Partnership was established as one of the seven Scottish Regional Transport Partnerships. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 requires these Partnerships to prepare Transport Strategies for their regions which will enhance economic well-being; promote safety; social inclusion and equal opportunity; plan for a sustainable transport system; and integrate across boundaries with other partnerships. The Council has an interest in 57 Trust Funds where it acts as sole or custodian trustee. The funds do not represent assets of the Council. These entities are part of the Council’s group for the purposes of Group Accounts. As such it is recognised that the nature of the relationship with these bodies should be included within these notes. However, it has been decided that the Council’s share of the net worth of these entities is not material to a fair understanding of the financial position of the Council, and so they have not been consolidated into the Group Accounts. The Council inherited its interest in these entities following the reorganisation of local government in 1996. 4. ARGYLL AND BUTE INTEGRATION JOINT BOARD The Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board was established as a body corporate by order of Scottish Ministers on 27 June 2015. The partnership between the Council and NHS Highland has been established in accordance with the provisions of the Public Bodies (Joint Working)(Scotland) Act 2014 and associated Regulations. The Integration Joint Board has responsibility for all health and social care functions relating to adults and children and will oversee the Strategic Planning and budgeting of these, together with corresponding service delivery for the residents of Argyll and Bute. The Council contributed
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Notes to the Group Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 137 £77.604m towards the Argyll and Bute Integration Joint Board in the 2023-24 financial year. The Council and NHS Highland are required to treat the IJB as a Joint Venture in their annual accounts and recognise a share of the overall surplus or deficit of the IJB for the year. 5. FINANCIAL IMPACT OF CONSOLIDATION The effect of inclusion of the Associates, Joint Ventures, Subsidiaries and Common Good Funds on the Group Balance Sheet is to increase both reserves and net worth by £21.472m. This gives an overall net asset position for the Group of £543.492m. All associates and subsidiaries have prepared their accounts on a ‘going concern’ basis. For the Joint Valuation Board funding arrangements between the Scottish Government and constituent authorities remains assured. In common with these public bodies, the Council’s Group Accounts have been prepared on a ‘going concern’ basis as there is no reason to suggest that future funding will not continue. 6. FURTHER DETAILS ON CONSOLIDATION Live Argyll Live Argyll was established by Argyll and Bute Council and is limited by guarantee and was fully incorporated and commenced trading on 2 October 2017. The Trust is a charitable company registered in Scotland and provides a wide range of services within the Argyll and Bute area including libraries, leisure facilities, halls, sports development and community centres the assets of which are owned by the Council. During 2023-24 Argyll and Bute Council paid £3.835m in the form of a Management Fee to Live Argyll and increased the overall net worth of the Group Balance Sheet by £1.389m. The board is made up of 3 independent board members, 3 Councillors and a Trade Union representative. Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Valuation Joint Board This body was formed in October 1995 at Local Government reorganisation by a Statutory Instrument and is responsible for the maintenance of the electoral, council tax and non-domestic rates registers for Argyll and Bute, West Dunbartonshire and East Dunbartonshire Councils. The Board’s running costs are met by the three Councils. During 2023-24 Argyll and Bute Council contributed £1.254m towards estimated running costs and accounted for £0.084m of Balance Sheet Liabilities within the Group Balance Sheet. The accounts of the Board are subject to independent audit and will be available from the Valuation Joint Board’s website www.saa.gov.uk /dab-vjb/ and West Dunbartonshire Council’s website https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/performance-and-spending/service- performance/financial-performance/ from 1 July 2023. The following disclosures are also required for Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute Valuation Joint Board because the Council’s interest exceeds the 25% threshold for accounting purposes:- 2022-23 2023-24 £'m £'m Argyll and Bute Council has a 44.41% share of: 2.851 Gross Income 2.861 0.453 Net (Surplus)/Deficit 0.209 0.668 Long Term Assets 0.675 0.972 Current Assets 0.670 (0.101) Liabilities due within one year (0.014) Liabilities due over one year (0.170) Pension Asset/(Liability) (0.175) 1.369 Capital and Revenue Reserves 1.156
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Notes to the Group Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 138 7. REPORTING AUTHORITY ADJUSTMENTS A number of adjustments are required to the Council’s Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure (pages 51 to 52) for group accounting purposes. These can be summarised as follows: • All intra-group transactions have been removed from the Group Accounts as part of the subsidiary consolidation process. • The Common Good Funds described in Note 37 of the Notes to the Financial Statements on pages 120 to 121 have been fully consolidated into the Group Accounts. This adjustment increases the net assets and reserves of Argyll and Bute Council’s Group by £9.629m. 8. PRIOR PERIOD ADJUSTMENTS Prior period errors are omissions from, and misstatements in, the authorities financial statements for one or more prior periods arising from a failure to use, or misuse of, reliable information that a) Was available when the financial statements for those periods were authorized for issue; and b) Could reasonably be expected to have been obtained and taken into account in the preparation and presentation of those financial statements. In the 2022-23 Group Financial Statements the final audited accounts were not available for either the Valuation Joint Board or Live Argyll at the time of publishing the Councils Annual Accounts. These are now available therefore the 2022-23 Group Accounts have been restated to reflect any changes. The amendments mainly relate to changes in the Pension Asset/Liability.
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Notes to the Group Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 139 9. GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT – OPERATING ACTIVITIES 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 10,318 Net (Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services (11,267) 11,819 Statutory Adjustments through Statement of Movement in Reserves 16,341 322 Transfer to/from Other Statutory Reserves 77 (13,230) Transfer Group Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure 282 Increase/(Decrease) in Inventories (86) 6,306 Increase/(Decrease) in Debtors 12,869 (6,433) (Increase)/Decrease in Creditors and Provisions (916) (16,041) Earmarked Reserves (1,532) (2,938) Capital Financed from Current Revenue (1,616) (2,477) Loans Fund Repayments (6,111) (3,765) Other Revenue Adjustments 7,714 (26,155) 26,740 10,925 Non Cash Capital 11,021 (5,116) Capital Element of Finance Lease Payments (5,280) 5,809 5,741 (10,028) Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities 21,214 6,742 Interest Paid on Borrowings 5,097 8,887 Interest Paid on Finance Leases 8,599 (748) Interest Received on Bank Deposits (3,469) 14,881 Net Cash Outflow from Servicing of Finance 10,227 Adjustments to Net (Surplus)/Deficit on the Provision of Service for Non Cash Movements: Adjustments for items included in the Net (Surplus)/Deficit on the Provision of Services that are Investing and Financing Activities: The cash flows for Operating Activities include the following items: 10. GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT – INVESTING ACTIVITIES 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 25,637 25,221 (17,500) (37,500) (568) (671) 1,093 1,275 (21,914) (25,687) (13,252) Net Cash Outflow from Investing Activities (37,362) Investments made/(disposed of) during year Purchase of Property, Plant and Equipment, Investment Property and Intangible and Heritage Assets Net Receipts from Investment in Associates and Joint Ventures Proceeds from the Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment and Investment Property Other Receipts from Investing Activities
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Notes to the Group Financial Statements www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 140 11. GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT – FINANCING ACTIVITIES 2022-23 2023-24 £'000 £'000 (35,228) (31,128) 2,021 (1,072) 5,116 5,280 70,627 54,257 - 13 42,536 Net Cash (Inflow)/Outflow from Financing Activities 27,350 Other Payments from Financing Activities Cash Receipts of Short and Long Term Borrowing Other Receipts from Financing Activities Cash Payments for the Reduction of the Outstanding Liabilities relating to Finance Leases and on Balance Sheet PFI Contracts Repayments of Short and Long Term Borrowing
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Independent Auditors Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 141 Independent auditor’s report to the members of Argyll and Bute Council and the Accounts Commission Report on the audit of the financial statements Opinion on the financial statements We certify that we have audited the financial statements in the annual accounts of Argyll and Bute Council and its group for the year ended 31 March 2024 under Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. The financial statements comprise the Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Movement in Reserves, the Cash Flow Statement, the Council Tax Income Account, and the Non- domestic Rate Account, the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income and Expenditure, the Group Balance Sheet, the Group Statement of Movement in Reserves, the Group Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including material accounting policy information. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code). In our opinion the accompanying financial statements: • give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Council and its group as at 31 March 2024 and of its income and expenditure of the Council and its group for the year then ended; • have been properly prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the 2023/24 Code; and • have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003. Basis for opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)), as required by the Code of Audit Practice approved by the Accounts Commission for Scotland. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We were appointed by the Accounts Commission on 18 May 2022. Our period of appointment is five years, covering 2022/23 to 2026/27. We are independent of the Council and its group in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK including the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. Non-audit services prohibited by the Ethical Standard were not provided to the Council and its group. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Conclusions relating to going concern basis of accounting We have concluded that the use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate. Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Council and its group’s ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue. These conclusions are not intended to, nor do they, provide assurance on the Council and its group’s current or future financial sustainability. However, we report on the Council’s
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Independent Auditors Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 142 arrangements for financial sustainability in a separate Annual Audit Report available from the Audit Scotland website. Risks of material misstatement We report in our Annual Audit Report the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement that we identified and our judgements thereon. Responsibilities of the Section 95 Officer and the Audit and Scrutiny Committee for the financial statements As explained more fully in the Statement of Responsibilities, the Section 95 Officer is responsible for the preparation of financial statements, that give a true and fair view in accordance with the financial reporting framework, and for such internal control as the Section 95 Officer determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, the Section 95 Officer is responsible for assessing each year the Council and its group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless there is an intention to discontinue the operations of the Council and its group. The Audit and Scrutiny Committee is responsible for overseeing the financial reporting process. Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities outlined above to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. Procedures include: • using our understanding of the local government sector to identify that the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014, and the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 are significant in the context of the Council and its group; • inquiring of the Section 95 Officer as to other laws or regulations that may be expected to have a fundamental effect on the Council and its group; • inquiring of the Section 95 Officer concerning the Council’s policies and procedures regarding compliance with the applicable legal and regulatory framework; • discussions among our audit team on the susceptibility of the financial statements to material misstatement, including how fraud might occur; and • considering whether the audit team collectively has the appropriate competence and capabilities to identify or recognise non-compliance with laws and regulations. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is affected by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the Council and its group’s controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud are inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error as fraud may involve collusion, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. The capability of the audit to detect
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Independent Auditors Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 143 fraud and other irregularities depends on factors such as the skillfulness of the perpetrator, the frequency and extent of manipulation, the degree of collusion involved, the relative size of individual amounts manipulated, and the seniority of those individuals involved. A further description of the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report. Reporting on other requirements Opinion prescribed by the Accounts Commission on the audited parts of the Remuneration Report We have audited the parts of the Remuneration Report described as audited. In our opinion, the audited parts of the Remuneration Report have been properly prepared in accordance with The Local Authority Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2014. Other information The Section 95 Officer is responsible for the other information in the annual accounts. The other information comprises the Management Commentary, Annual Governance Statement, Statement of Responsibilities and the unaudited part of the Remuneration Report. Our responsibility is to read all the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon except on the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement to the extent explicitly stated in the following opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission. Opinions prescribed by the Accounts Commission on the Management Commentary and Annual Governance Statement In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit: • the information given in the Management Commentary for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with statutory guidance issued under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003; and • the information given in the Annual Governance Statement for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements and that report has been prepared in accordance with the Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework (2016). Matters on which we are required to report by exception We are required by the Accounts Commission to report to you if, in our opinion: • adequate accounting records have not been kept; or • the financial statements and the audited part of the Remuneration Report are not in agreement with the accounting records; or • we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit. We have nothing to report in respect of these matters. Conclusions on wider scope responsibilities In addition to our responsibilities for the annual accounts, our conclusions on the wider scope responsibilities specified in the Code of Audit Practice, including those in respect of Best Value, are set out in our Annual Audit Report.
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Independent Auditors Report www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 144 Use of our report This report is made solely to the parties to whom it is addressed in accordance with Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and for no other purpose. In accordance with paragraph 108 of the Code of Audit Practice, we do not undertake to have responsibilities to members or officers, in their individual capacities, or to third parties. Mark Outterside, Director For and on behalf of Forvis Mazars LLP Bank Chambers 26 Mosley Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1DF 20 December 2024
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Glossary of Terms www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 145 Existing Use Value. The market value of a particular Council property, less the difference between the average rental income between public and private sector properties. Expected Rate of Return on Pension Assets. The average rate of return, including both income and changes in fair value but net of scheme expenses, expected over the remaining life of the related obligation on the actual assets held by the Scheme. Fair Value. This is the price at which an asset could be exchanged in an arm’s length transaction less any grants receivable towards the purchase or use of the asset. Financial Asset. A right to future economic benefits controlled by the Council that is represented by cash, an equity instrument of another entity, a contractual right to receive cash from another entity or a financial right to exchange financial instruments under conditions that are potentially favourable to the Council. Financial Instrument. Any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and financial liability or equity instrument of another. Financial Instruments Adjustment Account. This holds the accumulated difference between the financing costs included in the Income and Expenditure Account and the accumulated financing costs required in accordance with regulations to be charged to the General Fund Balance. Financial Liability. An obligation to transfer economic benefits controlled by the Council that is represented by a contractual obligation to deliver cash or another financial asset to another entity or a contractual obligation to exchange financial instruments under conditions which are potentially unfavourable to the Council. Financial Reporting Standard (FRS). Financial Reporting Standards are issued by the Accounting Standard Board and define proper accounting practice for a given transaction or event. Fixed Assets. Tangible assets that yield benefits to the Council and the services it provides for a period of more than one year. Gains/losses on settlements and curtailments. The result of actions to relieve the Council of liabilities or events that reduce the expected future service or accrual of benefits of employees. This is charged or credited to Non Distributed costs in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. General Fund Balance. This contains the net surplus on the provision of Council services combined with any balances from previous years and any contributions to other funds or reserves made during the year. Group Accounts. The purpose of group accounts is to show the Council’s interest in organisations and companies within the Financial Statements. The Council’s shares of the assets and liabilities of these other entities are shown in the Group Movement in Reserves Statement, Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement and Group Balance Sheet. Government Grants. Assistance by government and inter- government agencies and similar bodies, whether local, national or international, in the form of cash or transfers of assets to an authority in return for past, or future, compliance with certain conditions relating to the activities of the Council. Heritage Assets. Assets which are intended to be preserved in trust for future generations because of their cultural, environmental and historical associations and are held by the Council of the maintenance of heritage. International Accounting Standards (IAS). International Accounting Standards are issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and define proper accounting practice for a given transaction or event. IAS’s take precedence over other accounting standards in the hierarchy of technical accounting standards. International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS), a set of accounting standards issued by the IPSAS Board for use by public sector entities around the world in the preparation of financial statements. Impairment. A reduction in the value of fixed or financial asset below the valuation held on the balance sheet. Infrastructure Assets. Fixed assets that are inalienable, expenditure on which is recoverable only by continued use of the asset created. Examples of infrastructure assets are highways and footpaths. Intangible Assets. Non-financial assets which do not have physical substance but are identifiable and are controlled by the Council. Interest Cost (Pensions). The expected increase during the period in the present value of the scheme liabilities because the benefits are one period closer to settlement. Inventories. Inventories may comprise the following: goods or other assets purchased for re-sale; consumable stores; raw materials and components purchased for incorporation into products for sale; products and services in intermediate stages of completion; long term contract balances; and finished goods. Liquid Resources. Current asset investments that are readily disposable by the Council without disrupting its business and are either readily convertible to known amounts of cash at or close to the carrying amount, or traded on the active market.
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Glossary of Terms www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 146 Materiality. Information is included where the information is of such significance as to justify its inclusion, and omission or misstatement could, individually or collectively, influence the decisions or assessments of users made on the basis of the financial statements. National Non-Domestic Rates Pool. All non-domestic rates collected by Council’s are remitted to the national pool and, thereafter, distributed to Councils by the Scottish Government. Net Book Value. The amount at which fixed assets are included in the Balance Sheet, i.e. their historical cost or current value less cumulative amounts provided for depreciation. Net Realisable Value. The open market value of the asset in its existing use, or open market value in the case of non- operational assets, less the expenses to be incurred in realising the asset. Non-Current Assets. Non-current assets are not expected to be realised within 12 months and are held to provide future economic benefits to the Council. Non-operational assets. Are assets held by the Council but not directly occupied, used or consumed in the delivery of services. Examples of non-operational assets are investment properties and assets that are surplus to requirements, pending sale or redevelopment. Officers’ Remuneration. All sums paid to or receivable by an employee and sums due by way of expenses allowances (as far as those sums are subject to UK Income Tax). Operating Leases. A lease other than a finance lease, i.e. a lease which does not transfer the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. Operating Assets. All items which derive from events or transactions that fall within the ordinary activities of the Council and which need to be disclosed separately by virtue of their size or incidence to give fair presentation of the accounts. Past Service Costs (Pensions). The increase in the present value of the scheme liabilities related to employee service in prior periods arising in the current period as a result of the introduction of, or improvement to, retirement benefits. Pensions Reserve. The Pensions Reserve absorbs the timing differences arising from different arrangements for accounting for post-employment benefits and for funding benefits in accordance with statutory provisions. Prior Period Adjustments. Those material adjustments applicable to prior years arising from changes in accounting policies or from the correction of fundamental errors. They do not include normal recurring corrections or adjustments of accounting estimates made in prior years. Public Private Partnerships (PPP). Those partnerships enable the Council to purchase services from the private sector and pay a fee based on pre-defined output criteria. The private sector uses this fee to repay loans taken out to finance the building or refurbishment of the assets. Residual Value. The net realisable value of an asset at the end of its useful life. Related Party Transactions. A related party transaction is the transfer of assets or liabilities, or the performance of services by, to or for a related party irrespective of whether a charge is made. Renewal and Repairs fund. This contains funds credited at the Council’s discretion from the General Fund and is available for use on capital or revenue expenditure on Council assets. Revaluation Reserve. Records unrealised gains arising since 1 April 2007 from holding fixed assets not yet realised through sales. Service Expenditure Analysis (SEA). An analysis which groups together expenditure on services within headings or divisions as defined in the Service Reporting Code of Practice (SeRCOP). Specific Government Grants. These are grants received from Central Government in respect of a specific purpose or service. Unusable Reserves. Those reserves which hold unrealised gains and losses where amounts would only become available to provide services if the assets are sold and reserves that hold timing differences. Usable Reserve. Those reserves which the Council may use to provide services, subject to the need to maintain a prudent level of reserves and any statutory limitations on their use. Useful Life. The period over which the Council will derive benefits from the use of a fixed asset.
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www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 147 Appendix A Trade Union Facility Time Statement 2023-24 This information is published under the Trade Union (Facility Time Publication Requirements) Regulations 2017 Schedule 2 (Regulation 8) 1. Relevant union officials Total number of employees who were relevant union officials during the relevant period. Number of employees who were relevant union officials during the relevant period Full time equivalent employee number Central Function 21 20.8 Education Function 7 7 Note: The headcount figure for relevant union officials includes all stewards and school-based reps who are elected by their peers to provide first line support for members. 2. Percentage of time spent on facility time Number of employees who were relevant union officials employed during the relevant period spent who spent 0%, 1%- 50%, 51% - 99% or 100% of their working hours on facility time. Percentage of time Number of employees Central Function Education Function 0% 0 3 1% - 50% 19 2 51% - 99% 2 2 100% 0 0
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www.argyll-bute.gov.uk _____________________________________ Page 148 3. Percentage of pay bill spent on facility time The percentage of the total pay bill spent on paying employees who were relevant union officials for facility time during the relevant period. Central Function Education Function The total cost of facility time £171,701 £71,016 The total pay bill (Finance figures) £123,318,713 £64,175,618 The percentage of the total pay bill spent on facility time 0.14% 0.11% 4. Paid Trade Union activities Percentage of total paid facility time hours spent by employees who were relevant union officials during the relevant period on paid trade union activities. Central Function Education Function Time spent on paid trade union activities as percentage of total paid facility time hours calculated as: (total hours spent on paid trade union activities by relevant union officials during the relevant period ÷ total paid facility time hours) x 100 0% 0%
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Argyll and Bute Council Comhairle Earra Gháidheal agus Bhóid Executive Director (Section 95 Officer): Kirsty Flanagan Argyll and Bute Council Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Argyll PA31 8RT Tel: 01546 604268 E-mail: Kirsty.Flanagan@argyll-bute.gov.uk Website: www.argyll-bute.gov.uk Ask For: Kirsty Flanagan Our Ref: KF/CE/SS Mark Outterside Forvis Mazars The Corner Bank Chambers 26 Mosley Street Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1DF December 2024 Dear Mark Argyll and Bute Council - Audit for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 This representation letter is provided in connection with your audit of the financial statements of Argyll and Bute Council (the Council) and its group for the year ended 31 March 2024 for the purpose of expressing an opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view in accordance with the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code). I confirm that the following representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience (and, where appropriate, inspection of supporting documentation) sufficient to satisfy myself that I can properly make each of the following representations to you. My responsibility for the financial statements and accounting information I believe that I have fulfilled my responsibilities for the true and fair presentation and preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code). My responsibility to provide and disclose relevant information I have provided you with: • access to all information of which I am aware that is relevant to the preparation of the financial statements such as records, documentation and other material; Appendix 4
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• additional information that you have requested from us for the purpose of the audit; and • unrestricted access to individuals within the Council you determined it was necessary to contact in order to obtain audit evidence. I confirm as Section 95 Officer that I have taken all the necessary steps to make me aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that you, as auditors, are aware of this information. As far as I am aware there is no relevant audit information of which you, as auditors, are unaware. Accounting records I confirm that all transactions undertaken by the Council have been properly recorded in the accounting records and are reflected in the financial statements. All other records and related information, including minutes of all management and Board meetings, have been made available to you. Accounting policies I confirm that I have reviewed the accounting policies applied during the year in accordance with International Accounting Standard 8 and consider these policies to faithfully represent the effects of transactions, other events or conditions on the Council’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Accounting estimates, including those measured at fair value I confirm that the methods, significant assumptions and the data used by the Council in making the accounting estimates, including those measured at fair value are appropriate to achieve recognition, measurement or disclosure that is in accordance with the applicable financial reporting framework. Contingencies There are no material contingent losses including pending or potential litigation that should be accrued where: • information presently available indicates that it is probable that an asset has been impaired, or a liability had been incurred at the balance sheet date; and • the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. There are no material contingent losses that should be disclosed where, although either or both the conditions specified above are not met, there is a reasonable possibility that a loss, or a loss greater than that accrued, may have been incurred at the balance sheet date. There are no contingent gains which should be disclosed. All material matters, including unasserted claims, that may result in litigation against the Council have been brought to your attention. All known actual or possible litigation and claims whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements have been disclosed to you and accounted for and disclosed in accordance with the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code).
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Laws and regulations I confirm that I have disclosed to you all those events of which I are aware which involve known or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations, together with the actual or contingent consequences which may arise therefrom. We have complied with all aspects of contractual agreements that would have a material effect on the accounts in the event of non-compliance. Fraud and error I acknowledge my responsibility as Section 95 Officer for the design, implementation and maintenance of internal control to prevent and detect fraud and error. I have disclosed to you: • all the results of my assessment of the risk that the financial statements may be materially misstated as a result of fraud; • all knowledge of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the Council involving: ▪ management and those charged with governance; ▪ employees who have significant roles in internal control; and ▪ others where fraud could have a material effect on the financial statements. I have disclosed to you all information in relation to any allegations of fraud, or suspected fraud, affecting the Council's financial statements communicated by employees, former employees, analysts, regulators or others. Related party transactions I confirm that all related party relationships, transactions and balances, have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in accordance with the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code). I have disclosed to you the identity of the Council’s related parties and all related party relationships and transactions of which I are aware. Future commitments I am not aware of any plans, intentions or commitments that may materially affect the carrying value or classification of assets and liabilities or give rise to additional liabilities. Ultimate parent company I confirm that the ultimate parent company for Argyll and Bute Council and its Group is the Scottish Government. Other Matters I confirm in relation to the following matters that: • COVID-19 – I have assessed the continued impact of the COVID-19 Virus pandemic on the Council and the financial statements and those of the Group, including the impact of mitigation measures and uncertainties, and am satisfied that the financial statements and supporting notes fairly reflect that assessment.
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• Ukraine – I confirm that I have carried out an assessment of the potential impact of the continued conflict in Ukraine on the Council and its Group and there is no significant impact on the Council’s operations from restrictions or sanctions in place. • RAAC - I confirm the Council has assessed the potential impact of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete on the Council, and whether there are indications of a need for an impairment of the Council’s property, plant and equipment balances. I confirm there are no such indications of impairment in those assets. Going concern To the best of my knowledge there is nothing to indicate that the Council and its Group will not continue as a going concern in the foreseeable future. The period to which I have paid particular attention in assessing the appropriateness of the going concern basis is not less than twelve months from the date of approval of the accounts. Performance related allocations I confirm that I am not aware of any reason why the Council’s funding allocation limits would be changed. Subsequent events I confirm all events subsequent to the date of the financial statements and for which the Part VII of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 and UK adopted international accounting standards, as interpreted and adapted by the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2023/24 (the 2023/24 Code), require adjustment or disclosure have been adjusted or disclosed. Should further material events occur after the date of this letter which may necessitate revision of the figures included in the financial statements or inclusion of a note thereto, I will advise you accordingly. Annual Governance Statement I am satisfied that the Annual Governance Statement fairly reflects the Council and its Group's risk assurance and governance framework and I confirm that I am not aware of any significant risks that are not disclosed within the Annual Governance Statement. Annual Report The disclosures within the Annual Report and the Remuneration Report fairly reflect my understanding of the Council and its Group’s financial and operating performance over the period covered by the financial statements. Unadjusted misstatements I confirm that the effects of the unadjusted misstatements are immaterial, both individually and in aggregate, to the financial statements as a whole. Yours sincerely, Kirsty Flanagan Section 95 Officer