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Summary of accounts 2007-08

During 2007/08 the Council faced significant challenges in keeping spending within the budget set.

Despite these pressures, robust budget management procedures helped to ensure that spending remained within budget and timely correct action was taken where necessary.

At the year end our spending was in line with our approved budget. Although the council has to live within the funds given by Central Government we endeavour to achieve continuous improvement and ensure local people get value for money.

We continue to focus on ensuring that spending is concentrated on our priority areas as set out in our Community Plan (Pride of Place) and Corporate Plan (Aiming High), both of which are available on the website.

What we did last year...

  • Educated 32,900 children in our schools.
  • Protected 349 children from harm and supported a further 1,152 children in need.
  • Helped 2,677 vulnerable older people remain in their own homes and 1,061 cared for in residential and nursing homes.
  • Maintained 419 miles (675km) of road.
  • Loaned out 1,048,971 library books and 38,575 CDs last year.
  • Dealt with 62,211.97 tonnes of domestic waste.
  • Protected 1,899 consumers and 4,407 businesses.
  • Maintained over 25,000 street lights.
  • Subsidised 30 bus routes.
  • Provided an average of 14,304 properties for rent to Council Tennants. 

What we spent...

  Gross Expenditure 2007/08
£m
Children's and Education Services 252
Adult Social Care 61
Cultural, Environment and Planning Services 61
Highways 25
Corporate Services 37
Private Sector Housing 91
Council Housing 51
Financing Costs 14
Contribution to and from reserves and balances -13
Total Spend

579

 

This was paid for by...

  £m
Specific Grants and Other Income 283
Dedicated Schools Grant 132
General Government Grants 13
Council Taxpayers 71
Business Rates 80
Total 579

 

Capital Investment

We also spent money on improving our assets...
  2007/08 £m
Business Partnerships 15.4
Housing Strategy 18.3
Housing Revenue 13.3
Schools 10.9
Regeneration 11.2
Adult Care 0.6
Learners & Young People 4.4
Environmental Management 2.9
Other 2.0
Total capital spend 79.0
 
Paid for by...
  £m
External Borrowing 16.1
Government Grants 46.4
Income from sale of assets 6.9
Contributions from Revenue 0.5
Major Repairs Reserve 9.1
Accumulated Reserves 0.0
Total capital financing 79.0
 

Summarised Balance Sheet as at 31/3/08

  £m
Capital Assets 988
Cash in bank and investments 86
Money owed to Council Group 100
Money owed by Council Group (79)
Long-Term Borrowing (369)
Pensions and other Liabilities (141)
Total Assets Less Liabilities 585

 

Reserves & Balances

  £m
Accounting Reserves 528
Earmarked Reserves 34
General Balances 23
Total Reserves & Balances 585

 

Cash Flow

  2007/08 £m
Cash at 1 April 2007 0.8
Cash In 155.7
Cash Out (164.5)
Cash at 31 March 2008 (8.0)

 

Earmarked Reserves

The Council Group earmarked reserves are as follows;
  £m
Schools 9.9
Investments 5.7
Insurance 17.6
Other Reserves 0.7
Total Reserves 33.9

 

General Balances

We had £23.4 million in Revenue Balances at 31 March 2008.  This consisted of £13.6m on the Council's General Fund, £9.3m on the Housing Revenue Account (Council Housing), (£0.7m) on the Collection Fund (Council Tax and Business Rates) and £1.3m on RBH's balances.  £8.3m of the General Fund balance is committed for use in 2008/09.