Item 8-Appendix 3
West Dunbartonshire Council · 26 March 2025
Back to West Dunbartonshire Council — 26 March 2025 and its agenda
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % Audit 19 70 51 265% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Cost of Collection of Council Tax (823) (1,015) (192) 23% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Corporate Assets (2,645) (1,980) 666 -25% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance Resources Internal audit of council services. Variance due to a £100k reduction in projected fraud recovery target which is offset by an underspend in staff costs due to vacancies. The National Fraud Initiative is indicating a lower than expected recovery of fraudulent transactions this year. The service is also experiencing resource constraints. These two factors will result in a lower value of income recovery than anticipated in the budget. Adverse variance is anticipated. This service collects Council tax from local residents. The services also provides support and advice to those residents regarding council tax. A higher than anticipated favourable income outturn is anticipated from Statutory Additions. None required. Favourable variance is anticipated. This service provides asset and estate management The main reason for overspend is due to property costs of £660k. This is due to the level of repairs and maintenance required. The remaining £6k overspend is across the service. None currently available Overspend anticipated
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance Democratic and Registration Service 781 707 (74) -9% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Environmental Health 616 566 (50) -8% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Legal Services 884 788 (96) -11% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Planning 566 515 (52) -9% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Regulatory and Regeneration This service deals with the administration functions and Democratic Services within the Authority. The favourable variance is due to a number of vacancies that are yet to be filled (£49k) and the remaining balance being driven by an increase in income from fees and charges. Recruitment is being undertaken to fill necessary vacancies. Favourable variance is anticipated. The 3 Groups within this service (Food and Business Group, Environmental Pollution Group and Community Health Protection Group) are responsible for all aspects of Environmental Health work. The reason for the favourable variance is the number of ongoing vacancies. None required. Favourable variance is anticipated. This services provides legal advice to the Council. The reason for the favourable variance is the number of ongoing vacancies. None required. Adverse variance is anticipated. This Service provides Building & Planning services. A £208k favourable variance in employee costs is due to delays and difficulties filling vacancies. This is partly offset by a £30k adverse variance in Payments to Other Bodies and £119k adverse variance in projected income driven by reduced building warrant submissions. None required. Favourable variance is anticipated.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance Catering 4,732 4,678 (54) -1% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Building Cleaning 1,875 1,811 (65) -3% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Facilities Assistants 2,410 2,278 (132) -5% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Facilities Management 504 560 57 11% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Citizens, Culture and Facilities Catering Services across WDC There is a favourable variance against employee costs due to a number of vacancies. None. Favourable variance anticipated. This service provides cleaning services across all council buildings. There has been greater than anticipated expenditure on cleaning material costs (£69k) and urgent equipment replacements (£57k) . However, there is a favourable variance against employee costs due to a number of vacancies (£193k). Material costs and usage will be monitored. Favourable variance anticipated. This service provides Facility Assistants throughout WDC buildings. There is a favourable variance against employee costs due to a number of vacancies. None. Favourable variance anticipated. Management and Team Leaders for Facilities Services such as Cleaning, Catering and Facilities Assistants. There is an adverse variance against employee costs principally because turnover is not being achieved. None at present. Adverse variance anticipated.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance Primary Schools 34,325 34,055 (271) -1% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Secondary Schools 35,513 35,275 (238) -1% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Specialist Educational Provision 21,567 21,987 420 2% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Education , Learning and Attainment This service area includes all Primary Schools. The favourable variance is attributable to the average unpromoted teacher salary being slightly less than forecast when the budget was set. This offsets the adverse variance against non-domestic rates (£219k).Shortfalls from the early start clubs will be covered from the smoothing fund (£92k). None Favourable variance This service area includes all Secondary Schools. The favourable variance is attributable to the average unpromoted teacher salary being slightly less than forecast when the budget was set. This has offset the adverse variance which has arisen due to a number of items being higher than anticipated when the budget was set : accidental/malicious damage (£25k), upkeep of grounds (£19k) and non-domestic rates (£239k). None Favourable variance This service area covers all ASN Services. The largest budget pressure is an increased cost for taxis (£330k). Following a review of internal transport recharges transport costs are £125k higher than budget. None possible at present Overspend anticipated
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance PPP 18,082 18,187 106 1% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Central Admin 868 1,050 182 21% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome This service area includes Vale of Leven, Clydebank High and St Peter the Apostle High Schools and St Eunan's Primary School. The costs charged to this service are Property costs and the Unitary charge. Non-domestic rates/water charges are higher than anticipated when the budget was set (£182k) although other property costs (eg cleaning) have been less than budgeted (£69k). None possible Adverse variance This service area covers Education Directorate There is an adverse variance against Summer Programme activities (£100k) which will be covered by an earmaked balance. The remaining adverse variance is attributable to school meal holiday payments (£82k) being in excess of the sum allocated by the Scottish Government - our eligible caseload is about 15% higher than the caseload implicit in our actual allocation.In addition, FSM payments were made for the day the schools closed because of Storm Eowyn in late January. None possible Overspend anticipated
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance Transport, Fleet & Maintenance Services (779) (673) 106 -14% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Roads Services 2,583 3,156 572 22% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Roads and Neighbourhood This service relates to Roads operations, design, structures, street lighting, road safety and school crossing patrols Employee costs are anticipated to underspend by £170k due to current levels of vacancies and planned roads programme. Transport and plant costs are anticipating an overspend of £183k, mainly due to plant hire costs of £153k and diesel of £30k. This is due to inflationary pressures and plant required to carry out planned programme. Salt for gritting is anticipated to overspend by £50k due to requirements for winter gritting programme. Street lighting is overspending by £45k due to increased utility costs. Income is projected to under recover by £104K, £325K is due to parking enforcement income saving which was not achieved and will be met by the smoothing fund however this is offset by increased projection of staffing recharges to capital projects. The remaining overspend (£360k) is mainly in relation to general increased costs and inflationary pressures to undertake works required. Costs within the service are recharged to capital however, costs recharged are not sufficient to offset all costs incurred by the service. The Service will continue to monitor and review costs and reduce overspends as appropriate. Overspend anticipated. Transport services across WDC Employee Costs are showing an anticipated overspend of £205k due to staffing levels required to meet user needs some of which is undertaken through overtime. Transport and Plant costs are underspending by £220k due to a reduction in the number of vehicles being hired. Supplies and Services are anticipating an overspend of £82k mainly due to level of equipment required to undertake the current service. An under recovery is anticipated on income at the WDC MOT station of £60k which is offset by favourable income variance within the service. The Service will continue to monitor and review costs and reduce overspends as appropriate. Overspend anticipated.
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance Outdoor Services 206 280 74 36% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Burial Grounds (296) (143) 153 -52% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Crematorium (1,229) (1,002) 227 -18% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome This service covers the outdoor sporting facilities provided by WDC and public conveniences There is an anticipated underspend of £60k on employee costs due to current level of vacancies. Income is anticipated as under recovering by £109k mainly due to the golf club as income assumed when setting the budget is higher than has been realised. This is an uncontrollable cost. The remaining £25k variance is due to small variances throughout the service. None at the moment. Overspend anticipated. This service provides burial services within the Council area Income from burials is less than budgeted (153k) which is uncontrollable. None at the moment. Under recovery of income anticipated This service provides crematorium services within the Council area Income from cremations is less than budgeted (£223k) which is uncontrollable. The remaining variance is due to small variances throughout the service. None at the moment. Under recovery of income anticipated
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance Waste Services 9,004 9,478 474 5% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Ground Maintenance & Street Cleaning Trading A/c (2,399) (2,155) 244 -10% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Waste Collection and Refuse disposal services Employee costs are overspending by £153k mainly due to overtime costs to cover public holidays and periods of annual leave/sickness. Transport costs are anticipating an overspend of £411k principally due to internal recharges of £316k and vehicle hire costs of £95k. Supplies and Service are anticipating an underspend of £206k mainly due to waste removal. Various other areas are overspending by £18k which is due to current service requirements. Income is anticipated to under recover by £98k mainly due to sales being lower than anticipated. The Service will continue to monitor and review costs and reduce overspends as appropriate. overspend anticipated Trading operation providing grounds maintenance and street cleaning services Employee costs are underspending by £149k mainly due to current levels of vacancies and overtime anticipated. Property costs are anticipating an overspend of £74k mainly due to recharges from Grounds of £33k, and utilities of £30k. Transport costs are anticipating to overspend by £61k. This is due to an anticipated overspend on insurance costs of £150k and internal fleet maintenance charges of £43k, partially offset by a projected underspend of £132k in vehicle hire charges. The overspend on supplies and services is forecast to be £225k. This is mainly due to payments being made to contractors of £108k, £45k for materials and £43k for the repair and maintenance of vehicles. The remaining variance of £33k is due to small overspends in various areas. None at the moment. overspend anticipated
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance Housing Maintenance Trading A/c (589) 0 589 -100% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Sundry Services 5,988 6,209 221 4% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Loan Charges 18,342 18,672 330 2% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome None at the moment. Housing and Employability overspend anticipated This service delivers maintenance and investment services to the council's housing stock At its meeting on 5 March 2025, Council agreed to transfer the 2024/25 HMTO surplus from the general fund to the Housing Revenue Account. Miscellaneous This service area budgets for non departmental specific costs such as pensions costs, external grants, external audit fees and insurance costs. The service heading also holds a number of general savings options which have still to be fully allocated eg procurement targets. The main reason for this adverse variance is due to the unbudgeted cost of historic child abuse compensation claims (£0.292m). This adverse variance is offset partly by underspends across several other budget headings. Income and expenditure will continue to be monitored throughout the year. An overall adverse variance is anticipated at this time Other This budget covers the servicing of the Council's external borrowing requirements The adverse variance is due to higher than forecast interest rates which were originally expected to fall within quarter 1 of the financial year, however, this reduction is now being forecast in quarter 4 of 2024/25 and is the main reason for the adverse variance. None possible at present Overspend anticipated
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WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE COUNCIL APPENDIX 3 REVENUE BUDGETARY CONTROL 2024/25 ANALYSIS FOR VARIANCES OVER £50,000 PERIOD END DATE Total Budget Projected Spend RAG Status £000 £000 £000 % 31 January 2025 Budget Details Variance Analysis Variance Requisition (HSCP) 89,342 89,830 488 1% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome Non GAE Allocation (9,055) (8,555) 500 -6% Service Description Main Issues / Reason for Variance Mitigating Action Anticipated Outcome The budget represents the funding contribution towards the West Dunbartonshire Health & Social Care Partnership. At its meeting on 5 March 2025, Council agreed to pass through to the HSCP, their share of the 24/25 pay award funding made available by the Scottish Government, which reflects the adverse variance shown. None possible at present Overspend anticipated The main reason for this adverse variance is due to a reduction in employee costs driven by the reduction in pension contributions. None Overspend anticipated This budget represents the recharge of central support services to non GAE services ie HRA