Agenda item

(Mr. R. Cregan, Director of Finance and Resources, attended in connection with this item.)

            The Committee considered a report, which had been prepared by the Director of Finance and Resources, regarding its Estimates of Revenue Expenditure for the Financial Year 2014/2015.  A copy of that section of the report, in so far as it related specifically to the Parks and Leisure Department, is set out hereunder:

“Parks and Leisure Committee

2.9    A spending limit of £23,971,115 is recommended for the Department in respect of the financial year 2014/15. This represents a decrease of 0.5% on last year.

         The main budgetary intentions of the Department for next year are set out below:

         There are a number of areas where change has occurred from last year.

2.11  Increased costs

         Additional costs of £117,813 must be borne by the Department in respect of superannuation increased provision.

2.12  Increased electricity, gas and water charges have been provided based on current projections of costs which have added £137,252 to the budget.

         Income

2.13  The leisure centres have projected growth in income for 2014/15 due to a review of charging policies and also a focus on retention and loyalty within the service.  £108k of additional income has been provided in the estimate.

2.14  Belfast Castle and Malone House have both reflected no growth in income from fees and charges for 2014/15. The franchise fee for each site has also been reduced as aftermarket testing through a tendering process the fee received is down £111k overall. A reduction of income of £31,000 and £70,000 for Malone House and Belfast Castle respectively has been reflected in the estimates.

2.15  Income from High Hedges legislation has not been received as the majority of the work has been to give advice and support and very few legal challenges have taken place.  The provision of £54k income has been taken out of the 2014/15 estimate.

2.16  The Cemeteries and Crematorium income is up by 7% to reflect in the increased income in relation to increases in charges as per previous committee decisions.  The crematorium income has also increased significantly due to the availability of extra slots each week as a result of the new opening hours.

2.17  It is projected that income from fees associated with the enforcement of Dog Control orders will result in £50k of income for the service and this has been provided it the estimates

2.18  The department has delivered efficiencies as it has been able to absorb additional operating requirements in relation to new and refurbished assets under the investment programme Efficiency savings have been delivered in relation to agency and overtime reductions and the more effective procurement of contracts.

3       Recommendations

3.1    The Parks and Leisure Committee is requested to note the contents of the report and agree the cash limit for the Parks and Leisure Committee for 2014/15 of £ 23,971,115.

APPENDIX 1

TOTAL                                                                                  23,971,115      24,097,132”

            The Director of Parks and Leisure outlined the factors which had been taken into account in the preparation of the Estimates and highlighted the savings identified which had contributed to a decrease of 0.5% on the previous year’s figure.  He informed the Committee that, at its meeting on 10th January, the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee had agreed that the cash limit for the Parks and Leisure Committee be set at £23,971,115.

            The Committee agreed that its Estimate of Expenditure for the Financial Year 2014/2015 be set at £23,971,115.

            The Committee agreed also that the Director would undertake a review of the Council’s policy of levying additional charges for burials or cremations on Saturdays and submit a report to a future meeting which would outline a range of options in this regard.