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Contents
Part A: Fourth Quarter Revenue Budget 2023/24
A1) Revenue Budget
A2) Significant Variances
Part B: Fourth Quarter Capital Budget 2023/24
B1) Capital Budget
B2) Significant Variances
A1) Revenue
Budget: Housing and Community Cohesion (HCC) PAC
A2.1 The table below provides a detailed summary of the budgeted net expenditure position for the services reporting directly into HCC PAC at the end of Quarter 4. The financial figures are presented on an accruals basis (i.e. expenditure for goods and services received, but not yet paid for, is included).
A2.2 This table now shows the variance split between expenditure and income to give more of an insight into the nature of the variance.
HCC PAC Revenue Budget: NET EXPENDITURE (@ 4th Quarter 2023/24)
A2) HCC Revenue Budget: Significant Variances
A2.1 Within the headline figures, there are a number of both adverse and favourable net expenditure variances for individual cost centres. It is important that the implications of variances are considered at an early stage, so that contingency plans can be put in place and, if necessary, be used to inform future financial planning. Variances have been reported to each of the Policy Advisory Committees on a quarterly basis throughout 2023/24.
A2.2 The table below highlights and provides further detail on the most significant variances at the end of Quarter 4.
|
Positive Variance Q4 |
Adverse Variance Q4 |
Housing and Community Cohesion |
£000 |
|
Homeless Temporary Accommodation - This continued to be a significant issue as the demand for the service continued to be high. The cost-of-living crisis and issues with getting people out of temporary accommodation are the main challenges at present. Further properties are continuing to be acquired through the capital programme to help alleviate the pressure on this budget. |
|
-971 |
Marden Caravan Site (Stilebridge Lane) – The site has seen a significant overspend on electricity costs and repairs and maintenance. There have been particular issues with the waste water treatment plant on the site as well as a high level of general repairs that were needed. |
|
-94 |
B1) Capital Budget 2023/24 (@ 4th Quarter 2023/24)
B2) Capital Budget Variances (@ 4th Quarter 2023/24)
Housing and Community Cohesion |
Private Rented Sector Housing/1,000 Homes Affordable Housing Programme - A number of schemes are at various stages of development at present. Some schemes will also contain elements of both private rented and affordable housing so the costs may change depending on the mix at the sites where this happens. |
Temporary Accommodation - There have been a significant number of acquisitions this year, and the team will continue to seek suitable properties. There were a number of acquisitions in progress at the year-end date, and the unused budget will be rolled forward to 2024/25 to allow these to be completed. |
Flood Action Plan - This budget was set up to allow the Council to deliver, or contribute towards, schemes that would mitigate flood risk. At this stage, the only schemes that have been identified have been small scale natural flood management schemes. Officers are discussing with counterparts in the Environment Agency, Kent County Council and the Upper Medway Internal Drainage Board what can be done to promote appropriate and practical schemes in the future. |
Purchase of New Waste Collection Vehicles – The new waste collection contract came into effect in March 2024, but only around half of the vehicles to be purchased had been delivered at that point. The unused budget will be rolled forward to 2024/25 to fund the remainder of the vehicles when they are delivered. |
CCTV Upgrade & Relocation – This is an unbudgeted cost relating the scheme which took place in 2020. The contractor contacted the Council and advised us that there was a final payment due. Officers reviewed the position and agreed that this was the case, and the payment was made. |