Public reports pack PDF 3 MB - Blaby District Council

during the second half of the financial year although the ongoing requirement
for temporary support within planning and benefits means that the forecast
outturn costs will exceed the original approved budget by around £51,000.
Redundancy costs incurred during the first half of the year, arising from
restructuring, amount to £37,005, and this sum will be charged against the
Council’s balances in line with the existing policy.
6.3 Specific Cost Centres
The half-year budget monitoring information has also highlighted a number of
non-establishment expenditure and income matters in relation to the General
Fund Revenue Account which needs to be brought to Members attention.
These are set out in more detail below.
6.3.1 Fuel Costs
Fuel expenditure represents a significant cost to the Council with an annual
budget of £351,965. At the half year stage expenditure is £175,624 against a
profiled budget of £175,985. This represents a small underspend and full
year costs remain on course to outturn within the annual budget.
6.3.2 Legal Costs
External legal costs incurred at the half-year stage amount to £24,119 against
a full year budget of £62,383. The highest levels of spend relates to planning
conditions and enforcement work. Based on the information available to date
there is no requirement to increase the full year budget for these areas.
A further £38,700 is expected to be incurred on legal work in connection with
the Lubbesthorpe planning application, although this sum will be funded from
the earmarked reserve set aside specifically for this purpose.
There are no known additional costs to date in respect of Planning appeals
costs, which are charged directly to the Council’s balances.
6.3.3 Income Variances
Income generation from fees and charges forms a key part of the Council’s
overall financial health and variations have a significant impact on net outturn
expenditure. The table below sets out the actual position at the half year,
relating to the key income streams together with a full year revised forecast.
Full Year Profiled Actual Variance Full Year
Income Half Year Half Year +/(-) Income
Budget Income Income
Revised
Budget
Forecast
£
£
£
£
£
Development Control Fees 400,000 200,000 130,686 (69,314) 325,000
Building Control Fees 235,000 136,300 130,371 (5,929) 235,000
Local Land Charge Fees 170,000 85,000 90,674 5,674 170,000
Scottish Widows Investment 60,689 29,131 45,275 16,144 63,717
Internally Managed Funds 60,000 30,000 79,295 49,295 160,000
Refuse/Recycling 1,704,147 977,352 906,409 (70,943) 1,541,550
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