Public reports pack PDF 3 MB - Blaby District Council

Portfolio Holder’s Quarterly Statement
PRIORITY 1 - Understand costs and deliver a responsive, cost effective and high quality financial
service.
As well as working with all managers to understand their costs and the resulting efficiencies from
service improvements the Finance team continues to explore ways to automate processes in the
finance function itself in order to free up staff time and improve on the quality and timeliness of
data provided.
The use of electronic time sheets and expense claims has reduced the need for keying of paper
based forms, releasing staff to perform other tasks within the department and as a consequence
increase resilience. During quarter 2 the Finance team has introduced a more streamlined
approach to the production of monthly management team reports, such as the establishment
report and key income report, with a view to reducing the double-keying of financial data. Work
has commenced on the annual budget process which has seen the Finance team meeting with
group managers and services to review their budgeted expenditure and income for the next
financial year. As a result of these meetings, and ongoing discussions with managers, the draft
budget is currently being compiled.
The introduction on 1 st April 2013 of business rates pooling, and localisation of council tax
support poses a significant challenge to the Authority’s future financial position, and the Finance
team is working closely with colleagues in other services as well as other Leicestershire
authorities to ensure that the impact of these new initiatives is closely managed.
As a support service the Finance department continues to assist with the implementation of the
new Website, Pavilion on-line booking system and Revenues System, with the aim of ensuring
that the interfaces into the Financial system are correctly implemented. This assurance will retain
the Financial Control mechanisms across systems in addition to automating tasks currently
carried out manually within the Finance function.
The Finance department continues to provide and maintain financial information in support of the
monitoring of S106 contributions and the asset function is working in partnership with the
Planning Obligations Officer and Parish Councils to both enhance the Authority’s relationship
with Parishes and to maximise the use of the S106 monies with community engagement.
The Authority’s annual Financial Statement was approved by Audit Committee on 27 th
September 2012. Once again the Authority received an unqualified opinion on it’s Accounts from
the external auditors Pricewaterhouse Cooper.
The team’s new trainee accountant has commenced studying towards the first stage of the
CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountants) qualification, with initial examinations
to be taken in December 2012. Finance Services continues to engage with CIPFA with a view to
becoming an accredited employer, which will enable the Authority to develop training and
development programs for our Finance staff and ensure that we are able to fully support our staff
in reaching their full potential.
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Page 92
September 2012