Annual Budget 2013 - Roscommon County Council

Manager’s Foreword
Furthermore, there are ongoing increases in the costs imposed on us for energy and fuel in respect of
public lighting, road maintenance, water pumping, and sewage treatment to mention but a few. Despite
competitive tendering, shared services and national procurement the fuel and energy bill for Roscommon
County Council has risen incrementally annually over the past five years due to suppliers increasing their
charges at a time we are reducing our commercial rate charges. The fact is that utility charges form a far
greater portion of business costs than do commercial rates. In real terms, the cost of commercial rates is
declining each year.
Electricity costs alone have increased by an annual rate of 13% since 2010.
Local Government Fund
The Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has advised the Council that our Local
Government Fund allocation in respect of 2013 will be reduced. A reduction of 0.88% on the 2012 allocation
is budgeted for. During 2012 the household charge replaced an exchequer contribution as a funding
source for the Local Government Fund. Last July we were advised by the Department of the Environment,
Community and Local Government that arising from low compliance with the household charge, funding
would be withheld. Based on a payment compliance rate in Roscommon below a threshold of 65% (as set
by the DECLG), our Local Government Fund allocation was reduced by €436,000 on the amount previously
advised.
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Actual
2010
Actual
2011
Actual
2012
Actual
2013
€ € € € € €
LGF 23,308,000 21,982,459 20,110,463 18,490,254 15,968,000 15,828,208
Pension Levy
Deduction
1,284,000 1,276,900 1,263,300 1,135,000
35% Pay Adjustment 313,000
NET 23,308,000 21,982,459 18,513,463 17,213,354 15,968,000 15,828,208
Difference % 0.00% 5.69% 15.78% 7.02% 7.23% 0.88%
The above table outlines our funding structure over the last four years. As a relatively small authority we are
heavily dependent on income from the DEC LG Local Government Fund which accounts for 26% of our
income.
In order to achieve a balanced budget forecast it has been necessary to make further significant reductions
in all areas of expenditure, which will continue to constrain our ability to deliver services in the year ahead.
Notwithstanding such constraints I wish to acknowledge the continued commitment and flexibility shown
by staff in serving the public to the best of their ability.
I remind members that the requirements of Section 16 of the Local Government Act 2001, in particular,
requires that the Local Authority, in discharging its functions, shall have regard to the resources available to
it, the need to maintain essential services, and to ensure that a reasonable balance is achieved between its
functional priorities.
The Adopted Budget shows a decrease in expenditure of 7% and a reduction in income of 12%.
4 Roscommon County Council | Comhairle Chontae Ros Comain | Adopted Budget 2013 | For year ended 31st December 2013