Concerns over North Lincolnshire Council's use of contingency cash
Opposition councillors have attacked the use of contingency funding to cover pressures in North Lincolnshire Council's budget.
A report prepared for the latest meeting of the authority's cabinet revealed overall spending against its £128.95 million revenue budget was on target.
But the council is set to use £660,000 from its £2.48 million contingency fund to cover a variety of extra costs and balance the budget.
The report states issues to be dealt with using the contingency fund include a £144,000 increase in electricity costs and £325,000 to cover drainage works following the wet weather in June and July.
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A savings shortfall of £98,000 comes from the late implementation of a car allowance review. Also, a contingency provision of £28,000 is needed for the redundancy of a member of staff who could not be redeployed.
The remaining £95,000 comes from the retention of senior management staff for a transitional period to undertake specialist project work.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Councillor Len Foster, deputy leader of the opposition Labour group, criticised the ruling Conservatives for using contingency money.
He said: "The report says the council is still able to contain its spending within the budget set. The council can only contain it by using contingencies and reserves. Five months into a financial year, that is a condemnation of the way this authority is operating."
In response, Conservative council leader Councillor Liz Redfern said the authority was only five months into a 12-month budget.
And she said similar pressures had been evident in budgets prepared by the previous Labour administration.
She said: "I am explaining clearly where we are in September."
Comments
by Hazzers
Sunday, October 14 2012, 11:44AM
“I would call the revelation of this information as being 'Open & Transparent' by the ruling group.
Perhaps on the electricity bill thing... they should install more of those energy saving LED type lights like what's along the Queensway.”
by englander61
Saturday, October 13 2012, 2:34PM
“Wish they would get rid of some of these so called council planners from the state of town looks like we have no proper planners , traffic problems parking , The public should be allowed more say in matter we pay the wages , The council rules over us should be working for us , Big pay off s . In private sector they sack none producers . Must agree with JohnJohn2011 Those in charge of public organisations from whatever political party, most of them are inept / stupid and some corrupt."”
by AnonTaxPayer
Friday, October 12 2012, 3:31PM
“What is the point of having a contingency fund if it's not going to be used for unexpected expenses? Are the current council opposition so bereft of anything to say that this all they can come up with?
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.”
by HeavenlyManna
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:25PM
“Encouraging to see the Telegraph exercising some good old fashioned investigative journalism to probe and report on these serious publicised concerns and allegations!
Moreso to hold our local council and dubious politicos come supposed community leaders (particularly their party political point scoring stunts) to account!! ;)
Albeit it would be greatly appreciated if the ST would equally get to the bottom of the reported claims and concerns that NLC are alleged to be £3 million over budget:
http://tinyurl.com/9jnybmx
The same concern and attacks on this alleged overspend have been recently and widely expressed and reported by several other of Scunthorpe's Labourites and lefty hangers on, via their social media propaganda outlets!!
Perhaps if the ST would equally get to the bottom of and confirm whether or not there is any foundation and truth behind this latest revelation and allegations over the financial probity of our conservative led NLC?!
OR should we merely put it down to what I perceive and believe to be Scunthorpe Labourites' typically sore loser, desperate, opportunistic politicking?! And their characteristic tactics of misinformation, half truths and allegations to brow beat, scaremonger and/or mislead the many clearly naive, apahetic and gullible voters of Scunthorpe??!! ;-)
Would be useful for the ST to explore these allegations further and thereby help us to decide whether we should file it with say NLC Labour councillors' recent false allegations and untruths over the alleged conduct of one of the key players in this conservative led NLC.
Or indeed their constant petty and pathetic rants over dates of council meetings having to be rescheduled?! OR better still, their rants over a change in colour of NLC canteen chairs!? I kid you not!!
All this petty and dubious politicking when Scunthorpe's hospital; schools; colleges; town centre and local economy are widely reported as inadequate, failing , being in serious decline and dragging along the bottom of the UK performance league tables?!!
You couldn't make it up, how ever hard you tried!?”
by HeavenlyManna
Friday, October 12 2012, 1:22PM
“Encouraging to see the Telegraph exercising some good old fashioned investigative journalism to probe and report on these serious publicised concerns and allegations!
Moreso to hold our local council and dubious politicos come supposed community leaders (particularly their party political point scoring stunts) to account!! ;)
Albeit it would be greatly appreciated if the ST would equally get to the bottom of the reported claims and concerns that NLC are alleged to be £3 million over budget:
http://tinyurl.com/9jnybmx
The same concern and attacks on this alleged overspend have been recently and widely expressed and reported by several other of Scunthorpe's Labourites and lefty hangers on, via their social media propaganda outlets!!
Perhaps if the ST would equally get to the bottom of and confirm whether or not there is any foundation and truth behind this latest revelation and allegations over the financial probity of our conservative led NLC?!
OR should we merely put it down to what I perceive and believe to be Scunthorpe Labourites' typically sore loser, desperate, opportunistic politicking?! And their characteristic tactics of misinformation, half truths and allegations to brow beat, scaremonger and/or mislead the many clearly naive, apahetic and gullible voters of Scunthorpe??!! ;-)
Would be useful for the ST to explore these allegations further and thereby help us to decide whether we should file it with say NLC Labour councillors' recent false allegations and untruths over the alleged conduct of one of the key players in this conservative led NLC.
Or indeed their constant petty and pathetic rants over dates of council meetings having to be rescheduled?! OR better still, their rants over a change in colour of NLC canteen chairs!? I kid you not!!
All this petty and dubious politicking when Scunthorpe's hospital; schools; colleges; town centre and local economy are widely reported as inadequate, failing , being in serious decline and dragging along the bottom of the UK performance league tables?!!
You couldn't make it up, how ever hard you tried!?”
by dellboy1959
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:53AM
“@ HattyTood,
Would you like fries with that Sir lol.”
by HattyTood
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:25AM
“Apparently many of the higher echelon at NLC are on a substantial wage in order to prevent them being 'head-hunted' by other companies
I'd say that if Macdonalds want them they can have them, sooner the better”
by JohnJohn2011
Friday, October 12 2012, 11:10AM
“£144,000 increase in electricity costs. (A) Pitwoodhouse and other council offices / buildings where most staff do not want or who are unable to turn off some lights and equipment. Also these people should be aware that energy costs are always rising. They do not care as it isn't their own money.
£325,000 to cover drainage works. (A) Once again those in charge failed to plan ahead and have an adequate maintenance program going forward.
Savings shortfall of £98,000 comes from the late implementation of a car allowance. (A) Says it all really as those in certain positions just want to keep the gravy train going.
£28,000 is needed for the redundancy of a member of staff who could not be redeployed. (A) Redeploy the person anywhere within the authority like most others have to undertake other tasks when required by the employer, must be well in with the boss I think.
Remaining £95,000 comes from the retention of senior management staff for a transitional period to undertake specialist project work. Just bull s**t really, if it was a dustbin person / parks dept or road worker they would be gone with the bat of an eye lid. Again this person must be well in with those at the top.
This all sums up the mentality of those in charge of public organisations from whatever political party, most of them are inept / stupid and some corrupt.”