2015-03-31 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                  31 MARCH 2015


Detailed commentary for significant items appears below:
 Rates – Current YTD revenue has achieved 98.3% of the full year budget, with adjustments
   in the December budget review for waste charges and prepaid rates to be reflected in the
   March 2015 performance report.
 Fees and Charges – Fees and charges received totals 72% of full year budget (compared to
   YTD benchmark of 67%). Development related activity, parking fines and search fees remain
   ahead of forecasts, although general waste disposal fees are still trailing the YTD budget
   forecast. All areas will be monitored for possible further adjustments to budgets in the next
   review.
 Interest Received – remains ahead of forecasts due to higher levels of cash available for
   investment (adjusted in the December budget review), although the recent reduction in the
   Official Cash Rate by the Reserve Bank Board will have an impact on revenue levels for the
   remainder of the financial year.
 Grants and Subsidies – the downward revision in the Commonwealth Financial Assistance
   Grant will be reflected in the YTD budget in March, but overall receipts to date are in
   accordance with budgeted levels.
 Other Revenue – generally in accordance with budget predictions, with sale of waste
   recyclables continuing to show a favourable variance compared to YTD budget.

3.           Operating Expenses

Operating expenditure is generally below forecast levels and shows an accumulated favourable
variance of $1.9 million.

             14,000                                                     120,000

             12,000                                                     100,000
             10,000
                                                                        80,000
              8,000
     $,000




                                                                        60,000
              6,000
                                                                        40,000
              4,000

              2,000                                                     20,000

                 0                                                      0
                      Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

                Budget     Actual     Accum Budget (RHS)   Accum Actual (RHS)


Detailed commentary for significant items appears below:
 Employee Costs – YTD actuals are generally in accordance with the revised forecast, noting
   that the adjustments from the December quarter review will be reflected in the March YTD
   figures. Allocation of internal labour to capital projects is a potential risk for the operating
   budget, but with acceleration in the level of capital works delivery from March, it is expected
   that this matter will be resolved by June 2015.
 Materials and Services – contract services are generally behind budgeted levels, and will
   continue to be monitored for possible review with the March quarter review.
 Finance Costs – generally in accordance with budget, and with the credit card surcharge
   applying from January, there has been a favourable impact on the net cost of merchant fees.
 Depreciation expenses are currently running in accordance with budget forecasts.
 Other Expenses – generally in accordance with budget (note that the refund of special rate
   levies has been moved to this area, with the YTD budget to be reflected from March).

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