Statement of Accounts 2021-22 (unaudited)

Contents

A. Narrative Statement

B. Annual Governance Statement

C. Independent Auditor’s Report

D. Statement of Responsibilities for the Statement of Accounts

E. The Financial Statements

F. Notes to the Accounts

G. Collection Fund

H. Group Consolidated Accounts

I. Glossary of Terms

 

A. Narrative Statement

Welcome to the Statement of Accounts

Introduction

As the Council’s Chief Finance Officer, I have pleasure in presenting the Narrative Statement to Rushcliffe’s 2021/22 Statement of Accounts. The Statement of Accounts is required by law and provides statutory and other information in line with professional best practice. In doing so, the Financial Statements continue to accord with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) ensuring consistency with accounts produced by organisations in other sectors of the economy.

The Narrative Statement reports on the accounts by summarising key events and their financial impact as well as non-financial performance indicators against key corporate priorities and commentary on key risks. It also provides additional context on some of the issues and challenges that have faced the Council during the year. I hope that this Narrative Statement, and the information that follows, gives a clear picture of how Council Tax and our other sources of income are used to deliver a wide range of services. The Narrative Statement, along with the Annual Governance Statement and the Auditor’s report, are outside the scope of the Statement of Accounts, but all of the documents, as one, constitute the Council’s Financial Report for 2021/22.

The financial environment remains challenging with new and emerging pressures that continue to affect the Council’s income streams. The Council’s officers have continued to provide additional financial support to the residents and businesses in the form of grants, reliefs and energy rebates. Whilst the impact of Covid on everyday life appears to now be subsiding, the focus has shifted to the significant increase in inflation and fuel costs which affects both the residents and impacts on Council resources. Despite the volatile economic environment, the Council has continued to deliver the Medium-Term Financial Strategy focussing on maintaining quality services for it's residents. The Council strives to grow the Borough and over the last year has made significant progress on large development projects. The Council Corporate Priorities below remain a focus for the Council:

• Supporting economic growth to ensure a sustainable, prosperous and thriving local economy.
• Maintaining and enhancing our residents’ quality of life.
• Transforming the Council to enable the delivery of efficient high quality services.
• Playing our part in protecting the environment today and enhancing it for future generations.

Should you have any queries regarding these accounts or suggestions as to how we could improve the information provided please forward them to me at finance@rushcliffe.gov.uk.

Peter Linfield

Director - Finance and Corporate Services

1. The Statement of Accounts

The Director - Finance and Corporate Services is the statutory officer responsible for the proper administration of the Council’s financial affairs (sometimes referred to as the Chief Finance Officer or S151 Officer). He is required by law to confirm that the Council’s system of internal controls can be relied upon to produce an accurate Statement of Accounts. To do so the Chief Finance Officer ensures that the Council maintains proper and up to date accounting records and takes all reasonable steps to prevent and detect fraud and any other irregularities. His Statement of Assurance for 2021/22 (known as the Statement of Responsibilities for the Statement of Accounts) appears in the Financial Statements.

The Statement of Accounts has been produced in accordance with The Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting (‘the Code’) developed by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Council’s Accounting Policies, which are written to take into account the Code, and are outlined in the Notes to the Accounts.

Key statistics for the borough of Rushcliffe:

• There are 212 wildlife sites
• Rushcliffe covers 409.2 km²
• There are eight sites of special scientific interest (SSSI)
• Average house price is £276,684
• There are 25 scheduled ancient monuments
• 99% occupation of Council owned industrial units
• Nearly 50% households waste reused, recycled or composted
• 685+ listed buildings and structures
• Three nationally recognised sport venues
• 30 conservation areas
• Four registered parks and gardens
• Three country parks
• Over 500 business enterprises
• Eight local nature reserves
• Six golf courses
• Current population is 119,000
• Greenbelt - 40.5% (16,566 hectares).

2. Delivery of the Corporate Strategy

The delivery of the Corporate Strategy 2019-23 is reported quarterly to the Council’s Corporate Overview Group. We had ambitions to deliver major projects that align outcomes with our four corporate themes:

Supporting economic growth to ensure a sustainable, prosperous and thriving local economy

Maintaining and enhancing our residents' quality of life

Transforming the Council to enable delivery of efficient high quality services

Playing our part in protecting the environment today and enhancing it for future generations

Here are some examples of what we achieved:

• Bingham Arena - work is almost complete on the £18m project which includes a 5500 square metre leisure centre development with adjacent offices. It will operate a 78% carbon emission reduction compared to similar centres.
• Rushcliffe Oaks - work is has started on our new crematorium facility and community space and will open towards the end of 2022.
• Green Initiatives - distributed over 8,500 trees to residents, towns and parishes since our Free Tree Scheme began.
• Carbon Clever - we have installed further electric vehicle charging points at car parks across the Borough, providing convenient and reliable facilities for greener motorists.
• Digital Grants - we allocated digital grant funding to 23 Rushcliffe businesses, allowing them to further their online presence.
• Reach Rushcliffe - we have allocated funding to over 20 Rushcliffe community groups to reduce social isolation and loneliness.
• Freeport and Development Corporation - an expected global hub for innovation for green technology potentially creating 60,000 jobs and generating investment in the local economy.
• Skate Park and Country Park Development - the £210,000 is open at Rushcliffe Country Park and work has commenced on refurbishment of the café, toilet and education centre.
• Finances and Revenues - our Finance and Revenues teams maintained high collection rates of 99.1% and 99.3% for Council Tax and Business Rates.
• Email Subscription Service - launched the GovDelivery email subscription service, giving over 3,000 residents weekly updates on our services.
• Cotgrave - the final part of the regeneration of Cotgrave Shopping Centre is now complete, with new business units for let.
• Home Alarms Service Satisfaction - or Home Alarms service has earned a 100% satisfaction rating by users for a remarkable sixth year running.
• Abbey Road Development - we completed the sale of our former depot site that will bring over 70 exemplar low carbon new homes to West Bridgford.

As well as achieving all of this, we also:

• Emptied 3.3 million bins.
• Kept over 25,000 followers updated via social media.
• Helped 269 individuals who were at risk of becoming homeless to find somewhere to live, preventing homelessness in the Borough.
• Our Customer Service teams answered over 88,000 calls from our residents.
• Dealt with over 20,000 emails to our Customer Services Team.
• Helped over 800 local businesses access training, advice and grants and NNDR relief of over £12m.
• Supported 1,000 elderly or vulnerable people to live independently with one of our home alarms. This service also has a 100% satisfaction rate.
• Conducted over 500 food hygiene inspections, keeping you safe when eating out in the Borough.
• Successfully kept our Council Tax rates for Band D properties lower than 75% of all local authorities in the country.

3. Risk Management

The Council’s Risk Management Strategy was refreshed and updated in August 2020 to ensure that it reflects the current operational structure. Reports to Governance Scrutiny Group contain updates on the risk management arrangements, and the Group’s responsibility is “to oversee and scrutinise the effective management of risk by officers”.

A Risk Management Health Check was carried out by Zurich in September 2019 and this identified priority areas for improvement. The strategy is reviewed every three years by the Risk Management Group and Governance Scrutiny Group provides scrutiny of risk registers.

The Executive Management Team has met as the Council’s Risk Management Group (RMG) in order to oversee the management of risk across the organisation and review, where necessary, strategic and operational risk. The number of risks within the registers will fluctuate throughout the year as active risk management is undertaken. Changing pressures facing local government and the proactive work of managers to identify risks as they emerge, will continue to influence new risks added to the register. This demonstrates the Council’s aim to be proactive to mitigate risk as soon as possible after identification. In 2020 the RMG identified a need to respond to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, as some services were impacted during and following national lockdowns. Twelve new risks were identified that were specific to the impacts of Covid-19 on the Council’s business and further demonstrates the proactive approach to identifying emerging risk. Many of these risks have reduced over time and will be removed in due course. There are currently 44 corporate risks, 33 operational risks and 2 opportunity risks. Risks are reviewed each year as part of the Service Planning process and changes to risks are referred to RMG for approval.

Examples of risks that have been added or removed in 2021-22 are:

Risks removed:

• CRR_DEG03 Inability to draw down Growth Deal 2 funding within specified timescales
• CRR_FCS30 Ability to respond to government policy on Local Government reorganisation
• OR_DEG04 Failure to successfully review the day-to-day operation of Rushcliffe Arena

Risks added or proposed by Risk Management Group:

• CRR_ DEG04 Ability to deliver Rushcliffe Oaks project on time and within budget
• CRR_ DEG05 Ability to deliver Bingham Arena and Enterprise Centre project on time and within budget
• CRR_ NS21 Ensuring the Afghan relocation scheme is supported in accordance with national guidance (potential funding and community cohesion issues)
• OPP_DEG County Deals – failure to secure opportunities for greater collaboration and Government funding.

The Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy highlights key financial risks; the higher rated risks are as follows:

Medium Term Financial Strategy - highest rated risks

Risk	Likelihood	Impact	Action
The Council is unable to balance its budget and the budget is not sustainable in the longer term as a result of Covid	Low	High	Going concern report presented to Governance Group to confirm that the Council has sufficient reserves to withstand the short-term financial shock as a result of Covid and ongoing financial challenges of inflation. The MTFS will be updated to reflect such risks.
Fluctuation in Business Rates linked to the impact of Covid, business appeals and in particular the power station and a decline in the retail sector	High	Medium	Growth plans and accurate monitoring, lobbying central government, potential alternative use of the power station site, increase in S31 grants to offset additional Business Rate reliefs. Playing an active role supporting the Development Corporation with a £0.5m (to be topped up by £0.2m in 22/23) reserve created and the potential for a Freeport. Growth Boards will also help support the business community. Budget at safety net position and we achieve our central case predictions this will reduce the need to utilise reserves. Further power station appeal in 2021/22 means the level of business rates has significantly reduced and similarly any Council dependency.
Central Government policy changes eg Fairer Funding, changes to NHB and 75% Business Rates transfer to local government leading to reduced revenue. Environmental policy changes with regards to waste will create future financial pressures	High	Medium	Engagement in consultation in policy creation and communicating to senior management and members the financial impact of changes via the MTFS. Budget at safety net position.
The Council does not achieve Council Tax income levels as projected in the MTFS and linked to Government referendum limits. Covid impacts upon levels of Council tax collected Impact of demand as a result of the cost of living crisis	Medium	High	Continue to monitor government policy and lobbying. Budget workshops for members so they are clearly informed regarding the impact of alternative decisions. Spread Council Tax losses over 3 years as per statutory instrument. Ongoing budgetary monitoring.
Fee income volatility linked to Covid, for example number and size of planning applications, the impact on leisure provision	High	Medium	Engagement in consultation in policy creation. Ensure future changes are built into the MTFS. Additional grant funding from Government for quarter 1 in 2021/22.
Pensions triennial revaluation and the potential increase to pension contributions	High	Medium	To be aware of actuary’s report and implications. Risks affected by local demographics and the impact on interest rates and share prices of international economic conditions. The Covid and current inflation issues to be assessed at the next valuation. Also the ability to influence central government policy on the Local Government scheme. Budget impact reflected in the MTFS
Failure to deliver the required Transformation Strategy and in particular projected savings/costs from larger projects such as the Crematorium and Bingham Leisure Hub	Low	High	Effective programme and project management. Project delays and financial impact on the 2022/23 budget reflected in the 2021/22 Financial Outturn report.
The impact of wider economic conditions (particularly Covid and inflationary impact as a result of the Russia-Ukraine conflict) on interest rates, the property market, impacting on investments and any future borrowing; pay and supplies and services inflation cost risks (particularly utilities).	High	Medium	Advice from the Council’s treasury advisors, and more investment diversification with a wider range of institutions and property investment diversification. Monitoring borrowing rates. Prudent assumptions in the MTFS. Additional contingency and budget provision a sper the 2021/22 financial outturn report.
The impact of changes to accounting standards upon leases	High	Low	Monitor the impact of IFRS16 on Council budgets and CFR based on the reclassification of Leases. Implementation deferred to 1 April 2024. Assess and monitor.
Environmental Agenda Impact on both revenue and capital budgets	High	Medium	Creation of Climate Change Action Reserve (£1m less £0.2m transferred to Development Corporation Reserve) this will be topped back up to £1m in 22/23, ongoing review of significant projects and outcome of scrutiny review. Further £1m vehicle replacement reserve to help mitigate against rising costs of environmentally friendly vehicles. Optimising external funding where it is available.
Insufficient funds available to meet Disabled Facility Grants demand and DFGs provision either stalls or stops	High	Medium	Report to July Cabinet 2022 highlights the position and the need to receive further Better Care Funding.

 

4. Revenue Expenditure and Income

During 2021/22, the Council supported the local community with various Covid -19 government funded grant schemes. This included grants to support businesses such as Restart grants, Additional Restrictions Grants and more recently the Omicron Grants and Energy Rebates. The treatment of each of the grants within the Statement of Accounts varies dependent upon the criteria of each grant. Grants for which the Council had no discretion over value and eligibility criteria have been accounted for on the Balance Sheet with balances at the year end held as Creditors. Where the Council could exercise some discretion over eligibility and amount awarded, the grants and corresponding expenditure have been recognised in the CIES. Outstanding balances at the year-end are either shown in the Balance Sheet as a receipt in advance or included in the net cost of services and carried forward into 2022/23. Total grant expenditure in 2021/22 was £6.5m and £0.68m balance remaining.

The Council receives and spends money from various sources. The income comes primarily from local residents in the form of Council Tax, and local businesses (as Business Rates). Each year the Council spends its money on key services, delivered in accordance with our local priorities and legal requirements.

Following significant reductions in income in 2020/21 as a result of Covid, the 2021/22 budgets were reduced to reflect expectations of a legacy impact on key areas namely planning, car parking and facility income and an increase in general contingency. The anticipated reductions did not materialise, in addition investment income is higher than budget and officers have also made a conscious effort to constrain expenditure, increase income and continue to deliver effective services and consequently the overall position on the net cost of services is £1.662m surplus. During the year the Council received government support of £0.118m (net of payments out to businesses) and surplus £4.4m relating to S31 grant for Business Rate Relief reimbursement and a share of the Nottinghamshire NDR pool surplus. Consequently, there is an overall net transfer to reserves of £1.452m (overall net transfer £1.21m after £0.242m use of reserves for Capital) against a revised budgeted transfer from reserves of £4.767m; an increase in the planned transfer of £6.2m.

Of the £8.361m transferred to reserves, £1.633m was New Homes Bonus (NHB) and £1m to the newly created Vehicle Replacement Reserve and the surplus on collection fund as a result of S31 reimbursement for additional reliefs (£3.179m). The remainder was largely due to the revenue efficiency (net of reserve commitments) (£1.871m) and the year-end net efficiencies and Covid related grants (£0.118m). Much of the £7.151m use of Reserves was to release to the collection fund for the deficit arising from 2020/21 (£4.024m), the use of New Homes Bonus to offset Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) charges in relation to the capital cost of the Arena and Cotgrave Masterplan; and planned transfers to meet revenue commitments. Reserves are available to meet future cost pressures, thus:

• Enabling delivery of the transformation programme by which the Council will balance future budgets and continue to deliver high quality services;
• Smoothing saving requirements between financial years;
• Enabling the Council to deal with the volatility from changes to central government funding methodology (such as Fairer Funding Review and retained business rates which have been further delayed);
• Funding capital expenditure including enhancement of property, plant, equipment and vehicle replacement;
• Ensuring the Council’s IT infrastructure and equipment is of sufficient quality to facilitate the delivery of modern services including website upgrade;
• Ensuring the Council is equipped to deal with unforeseen reductions in income or increased spending pressures such as those caused by COVID-19 and more recently the inflation pressures linked to the war in Ukraine; and
• Allowing the Council to facilitate growth and pursue opportunities such as the Development Corporation and Freeport.

The Movement in Reserves Statement demonstrates prudent financial management throughout the year, with the Council having had few reasons to call on its reserves. The majority of the transfer from reserves was to meet MRP repayments (£1m) and collection fund deficit (£4m). The General Fund Reserve Balance therefore remains unchanged from 2020/21 at £2.604m. Earmarked reserves have increased by £1.21m (£1.452m Revenue less Capital £0.242m), from £22.365m to £23.575m (see Note 4). As already stated much of this is due to the timing impact of  the adverse impact on the Collection Fund from reliefs administered in the year. A healthy level of reserves is essential for the Council to withstand any future financial pressures whilst enabling the Council to develop and grow the borough and deliver the Council’s corporate priorities.

The following table demonstrates where money was spent in 2021/22, showing a net underspend on direct costs of £1.662m against budget (reported to Cabinet on 12 July 2022):

Money Spent - Service Area

Service Area	Original Budget £'000	Revised Budget £'000	Outturn £'000	Variance £'000
Chief Executive	2,055	1,956	1,808	(148)
Development & Economic Growth	6	197	(36)	(233)
Finance & Corporate Services	4,292	4,563	3,753	(810)
Neighbourhoods	6,920	7,374	6,903	(471)
Net cost of services	13,273	14,090	12,428	(1,662)

 

The table above excludes technical items which do not impact on the bottom-line financial position such as capital accounting charges.

The Council also received a number of Covid related support grants and S31 grants relating to Business rates relief which (net of grant payments out) brings the overall net variance to surplus of £6.2m to transfer to reserves. The majority of this surplus results from the reimbursement of additional business rates relief and Covid Additional Relief Funding (CARF) that were issued during 2021/22 in response to the continuing effects of the pandemic. The deficit of £5m in the collection fund at 31st March 2022 created as a result of the additional reliefs will, due to statutory accounting arrangements, will not affect the accounts until 2023/24 and 2024/25. In order to smooth the impact of the deficit £3.2m of the surplus has been transferred to a Collection Fund Reserve to be released in later years. The remaining surplus is to be used to create a Vehicle Replacement Reserve (£1m) and resource schemes that are to be carried forward into 2022/23, for example to bring the Street Cleansing and Grounds Maintenance functions back in house and to meet expected pay and other inflationary pressures.

The main sources of revenue funding are detailed below. Grant income includes Covid related grants that have been recognised in the revenue account in accordance with the CIPFA code of practice bringing the total funding net of these grants to £13.6m. Even taking into account the grants relating to Covid, the table demonstrates the Council’s reliance on local taxation to fund net council expenditure; 54% from Council Tax (42% 2020/21), 23% from Business Rates (14% 2020/21) and 23% (44% 2020/21) from grants. This has reduced from 2020/21 due to the number of grants relating to Covid now starting to subside. Of the grants funding £1.633m is New Homes Bonus largely used to finance capital expenditure. New Homes Bonus is expected to cease after 2022/23 although a consultation was held in 2021 the results have not yet been released. Reviews of the funding system are not likely to take place now until 2024/25 and so it is possible that NHB may be extended for a further year.

2020/21 (£'000)

• Grant Income - 9,701
• Business Rates - 3,086
• Council Tax - 9,261
• Total Funding - 22,048

2021/22 (£'000)

• Grant Income - 3,972
• Business Rates - 4,125
• Council Tax - 9,514
• Total Funding - 17,611

Source: Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income - Note 7

5. Capital Expenditure and Income

The following information shows the breakdown of Capital Expenditure in 2021/22:

• Acquisition of investment property - £77k (1%)
• Assets under construction - £11,842k (73%)
• Other grants and contributions - £1,541k (9%)
• Acquisition of vehicle, plant and equipment - £1,055k (6%)
• Enhancement of operational land & buildings - £352k (2%)
• Infrastructure - £1,321k (8%)
• Heritage assets - £26k (0%)
• Intangible assets - £62k (1%)

As well as delivering day to day services, the Council also spends money on capital works, creating or enhancing assets which are shown on the balance sheet primarily as Property, Plant and Equipment, or as Investment Property. Key areas of capital expenditure in 2021/22 comprise:

• Assets Under Construction - £11.842m. Of which, £10.587m was spent on Bingham Leisure Hub and Offices and £1.039m for The Crematorium as these new builds progress.
• Other Grants and Contributions - £1.541m. Monies released to finance capital assets owned by third parties. Primarily this expenditure was on Disabled Facilities and Better Care Funding Grants £899k; Support for Registered Housing Providers £301k; and the new initiative: LAD2 Green Energy Grants £228k.
• Vehicle, Plant and Equipment - £1.055m. Of note are: acquisition of 3 Refuse Freighters £563k; Gresham Pitches lighting additions and upgrades together with maintenance and site equipment £159k; and replacement ICT Equipment and Technical Infrastructure £165k.

The Council has to ensure its Capital Programme is not only prudent, but also affordable and sustainable. In 2021/22 the Council spent £16.3m compared to an overall Capital Programme of £27.2m giving rise to a variance of £10.9m. This is due to programme rephasing and the carry forward commitments total a net of £10.646m. The most significant of which are £5.673m for the Bingham Hub Leisure and Office scheme; £2.973m for The Crematorium; and £0.407m to finish the new initiative: LAD2 Green Energy Grants.

The information below shows the breakdown how Capital Expenditure was funded in the year:

• Receipts - £7,787k (48%)
• Government grants - £2,156k (13%)
• Use of reserves - £242k (2%)
• Borrowing - £2,500k (15%)
• Other grants - £523k (3%)
• Other contributions - £3,086k (19%)

Source: Capital Expenditure and Capital Financing - Note 29

Capital resources available in 2021/22 allowed for all capital expenditure to be met, without recourse to borrowing. The key elements of funding comprise:

• Capital Receipts - £7.787m 48% of capital expenditure was covered by capital receipts. Significant sums are still being received from the overage agreement in place at Sharphill Wood. These sums, together with historical capital receipts, were used to fund: £5.2m of Bingham Leisure Hub; £1.1m Crematorium Costs; and £0.563m for vehicle acquisitions.
• Government Grants - £2.1m. Of this, £0.9m came from the European Regional Development Fund to support the Office element of Bingham Hub; £0.9m comprises sums awarded to the Council under the ‘Better Care Funding’ arrangements. Specifically used to fund ‘Disabled Facilities Grants’, ‘Warmer Homes on Prescription’, and ‘Assistive Technology’; £0.228m was applied to meet costs of the new LAD2 Green Energy Grants scheme.

In 2016/17 and 2017/18, the Council used internal resources (internal borrowing) to temporarily finance the completion of the Arena development and Cotgrave employment units. There was a need to use a further £2.5m to meet part of the capital expenditure on Bingham Leisure Hub in 2021/22. Where this happens, Central Government legislation requires the Council to make a charge to its revenue budget over time, to reinstate the Council’s resources. The Council has chosen to make a payment of £1m a year until the balance of internal borrowing is recovered (See the Capital Financing Requirement note 29). The charge (MRP) to the revenue budget has been covered by the release of New Homes Bonus reserves to wholly mitigate any impact for Tax Payers and exceeds the amount we would have to pay if it was based upon the asset lives.

At 31 March 2022, the balance in the Usable Capital Receipts Reserve stood at £0.8m (2020/21 £0.5m). The Council continues to generate resources through the planned disposal of assets deemed surplus, preserved rights to proceeds from sales of ex-Council House Stock, and the overage agreement in place for Sharphill Wood. During 2021/22 £9.3m of capital receipts were received, primarily from: Disposal of the Depot Land (4.8m of which £1.2m is a deferred capital receipt); Sharphill Wood £4.1m; repayment of Capital Loans £0.2m; and Council House Right to Buy Clawback £0.2m.

Looking ahead, the Council has approved an ambitious Capital Programme for 2022/23 onwards and intends to support this expenditure through the continued application of Capital Receipts, use of Reserves, Government and Other Grants and Contributions. As the available capital resources are depleted, there will be a need to undertake some further ‘internal borrowing’ which will potentially require an increase in the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP). Up to 31 March 2022, the MRP charge to the revenue account was offset by a release of New Homes Bonus (NHB) to wholly mitigate the impact of the internal borrowing on the tax payer. The ability to continue to do this will continue to be reassessed as part of the MTFS. The future levels of ‘internal borrowing’ and the potential need to undertake external borrowing will be dependent upon future capital income streams and receipt of monies that can be set aside into reserves, particularly NHB versus future capital demand.

6. Major Service Developments, Future Challenges including COVID-19

The Council had anticipated that the negative impact of Covid would continue in 2021/22 and had subsequently budgeted for a loss in income on key services such as Car Parking and Planning income. Pleasingly the recovery was quicker than anticipated with reductions not as significant as expected. As a result of prudent budgeting Council reserves have been maintained during the pandemic and in-year government grants and efficiencies identified by officers has resulted in a net efficiency position in 2021/22 allowing for replenishment of reserves to insulate against future pressures (such as the Power Station appeal - discussed below).
The Council has successfully responded to the additional pressures ranging from processing grants and reliefs, signposting residents to food vouchers and submitting additional government returns and reconciliations. Teams within the Council collaborated to ensure the services to residents were maintained which demonstrates the resilience and commitment of Council staff to the welfare of residents.

The Council have actively supported the reopening of the highstreets by using funding to promote businesses and by applying the ‘free after 3’ initiative in its car parks for the first six months of the year. Once restrictions were lifted the Council resumed activities in the borough delivering enhanced summer events to encourage people back into the high streets. A high street ambassador and town centre manager were appointed to support reopening of businesses and deliver events to boost economic activity. A business support web page is available to support businesses with regular posts via social media.

Government funding was used to support those residents most in need supporting the Holiday Activities Food Programme delivering Summer Holiday and Christmas programmes for children. The Social Recovery Funding and Community Food funding allocated by central government saw a total of £220,732 awarded to support social recovery projects and £103,662 for Community Food based projects across Rushcliffe. Councillors supported voluntary and community groups as well as parish councils by allocating Council funding which was used to support delivery of vital services within their local communities.

Despite all of the additional pressures on funding and staff resources the Council continued to focus on growth in the borough further progressing major projects such as Bingham Hub and the Crematorium, both of which have made significant progress and are due to open late summer 2022. Further development works have been commissioned to develop the visitors centre and improve facilities at Rushcliffe Country Park (RCP) for its visitors. Work is also ongoing to support ‘green homes’ improvements to 57 houses in the Borough after successful application for Local Authority Delivery (LAD) as well as the new Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) funding. This is expected to be completed by June 2022.

In March 2022 the Freeport Proposals for the East Midlands were approved. The scheme is the only inland freeport to be approved in the UK and will see the development of three sites; East Midlands Airport, East Midlands Intermodal Park and Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station into a global hub for innovation for green technology potentially creating 60,000 jobs and generating investment in the local economy. Further work will continue in the coming year to finalise policies and commence development.

During 2021/22 the Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station was successful in a business rates appeal. As a major contributor to business rates in the borough and to Council funding, this has a significant impact. Prudent budgeting by the Council has meant that provisions have been set aside that absorb the majority of the impact in relation to prior years. Moving forward the impact on funding will be offset by minimal temporary use of reserves.

There is still much uncertainty surrounding Government funding reviews which have been delayed for another year and subsequently means the Council only has financial stability for one further year making financial planning challenging. It is unlikely now that any funding reforms will take place in 2023/24 and are likely now to be 2024/25 at the earliest. Further announcements are awaited in the SR2022 on potential reforms although it is possible a further year of funding at current levels may therefore be announced in the interim.

The legacy of Covid continues to present in the form or staff shortages and reduced consumer activity but in addition there is also the inflation pressures with inflation predicted to peak at around 10% and the war in the Ukraine affecting fuel and commodity prices. The Council’s budget will, unsurprisingly, be negatively affected not only on the costs of delivering Council services (such as fuel on refuse collection) but also there is a risk of a reduction in fees and charges income as consumer confidence drops. In 2021/22 the pressure has been absorbed by efficiencies elsewhere in the budget and from initiatives to generate income but moving forward this represents a significant risk. In order to mitigate against this the Council has increased the contingency budget in 2022/23, from in-year budget efficiencies, which should provide a cushion against potential losses. Furthermore, the use of 2021/22 budget efficiencies will help insulate budgets against inflation risk.

The Audit and Finance environment is facing unprecedented pressure with the sector having the worst performance on audits signed off last year (only 9% by the deadline) and generally recruitment is difficult across the local government sector. As well as extending the accounts and audit deadlines to alleviate some of the pressure, in early 2022 there was an emergency consultation proposing delays to some of the reporting requirements. It is now confirmed by Financial Reporting Advisory Board that the IFRS16 leasing standard will be delayed which will reduce some of the burden on Councils to implement the additional requirements (at least for one further year) with implementation 1 April 2024 (or earlier).

Following the large-scale overnight transfer to remote working during lockdown the Council have now started to return to a hybrid way of working between the office and at home supporting employees work life balance. The Council’s Customer Service Centre and contact points were closed in line with government restrictions and reopened to the public in June 2021 providing face to face customer support four days a week across four locations. New Customer Service Standards have been introduced across the organisation to meet customer expectations in line with a significant rise in email and web enquiries. Services have seen a channel shift with an increase in engaging digitally with residents.

The Audit Report and VFM statement for 2020/21 recognised the Council’s response to the pandemic in the early stages commenting upon early reporting of the in-year review to reflect the impact of Covid-19 on budgets and financial performance. It was also recognised that the level of Council reserves provided some mitigation against future financial challenges and similarly for 2021/22 the position reflects the Council’s prudent approach to ensuring the reserves are available to support future budget volatility.

One of the Council’s priorities is residents’ Quality of Life and, as mentioned above, projects such as Bingham Hub, the Crematorium and RCP developments continue to remain key priorities. The Freeport brings economic and employment opportunities to the borough and the Council supports local Growth Boards in developing the borough. The Council set up Reach Rushcliffe, an initiative designed to help support local initiatives that aim to tackle loneliness and social isolation.
Loneliness is fast becoming one of the greatest social challenges nationally and whilst often associated with older people who live on their own, it can affect anyone of any age and linked to issues such as obesity, smoking and can increase risk of dementia. The Council has also administered government business grants, test and trace payments to support low income residents affected by Covid and have managed the allocation of the energy rebates to households from April 2022.

The Council always strives to deliver Efficient Services and, during the pandemic, has been at the forefront of issuing business grants ensuring payments were made soon after funds were received. Test and trace payments were processed quickly and efficiently to those in need and, despite funds for CARF only arriving in March 2022, the relief was applied to eligible businesses by the 31 March 2022. The Council has a digital by design project board which focusses on improving the interaction between residents and the Council. Digital projects include the new facility booking system (Stripe) and the My Account facility with the Meritec system and will be focusing on replacing the Council’s website over the next 12 months. Business Rates and Council Tax collection rates have been maintained at pre-pandemic levels supported by the efficient processing of discounts and reliefs and pro-active identification of residents that may be eligible but had not originally claimed such reliefs. Housing benefit processing time has remained above national average despite claim numbers rising during the pandemic period. In early 2022 the Council made a decision to bring back in house its wholly owned company Streetwise. It is anticipated that this will improve service performance and result in efficiencies. Further work is planned on integrating the financial impact via the Council’s Transformation Programme going forward.

Rushcliffe continue to focus on delivering Sustainable Growth. This has included projects to support reopening highstreets as mentioned above, the Freeport development, and delivery of 1,188 new homes in 2022/23. In addition to this figure, 71 energy efficiency houses will be built on the land released at the Abbey Road Depot Site due for completion 23/24. The Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy which was introduced in 2019 has collected £ £2m with a further report to Cabinet this summer due on its proposed use. The Development Corporation (DevCo) reserve created in 2020 is now supporting the development of both the Freeport and DevCo areas, in the interim period. The Reserve balance currently stands at £0.33m (having released £0.170m in 21/22) and this has been committed to the development of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar site. Whilst the Council no longer has an Asset Investment Reserve (with the balance retuned to the capital funds this year) it continues to review its existing assets and reported to both Cabinet and the Governance Group (respectively December and November 2021).

One of the Council’s key priorities is The Environment. The Council created a Climate Change reserve in 2020 which will be replenished in 2022/23 bringing the balance to £1m. Opportunities are actively being sought and projects to date, as already stated, include LAD and HUG (improving low energy efficiency housing – fully funded by government grants), electric car charging points at Gamston and LED lighting at some of our operational land and buildings. There is a proactive move to install carbon offsetting measures on Council projects: photovoltaic panels, air source heat pumps, low flush sanitary wear, LED lights, and highly efficient building fabric at Bingham Hub. The Council continues to roll out EV charging points, secondary heat exchanger installation (heat from the cremator will then be distributed to heat the building), acquisition of electric cremators together with LED lighting throughout the building and grounds at the Crematorium. Energy efficiency policies in relation to Planning continue to be developed in line with national guidance.

7. Financial Statements

The financial activities of the Council can be split between revenue and capital, and in general terms, the definitions are as follows:

• Income and expenditure within the revenue accounts of the Council relate to items consumed within the year; and
• Income and expenditure within the capital accounts relate to items with a life in excess of one year.

The Council’s accounts consist of:

Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement - CIES. The net cost of service has increased by £0.855m mainly due to Disabled Facilities Grants (offset through reserves from Better Care Funding) Covid related grant payments and the increase in salaries and agency costs on planning and refuse collection. The movement in Other Operating Expenditure (£3.285m) arises mainly from a significant drop in Covid business grants (£3.4m) passported via government funding compared to the previous year when the support was at its peak. The Covid related business grants that have been paid in the year are funded by grant receipts and are mentioned below regarding ‘Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income’.

The movement in Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure (£0.117m) is technical in nature and primarily relates to the movement in Fair Value of Investment Properties. The revaluation exercise in 2021/22 gave rise to a deficit of £0.307m which primarily relates to the downward valuation of Cotgrave Phase II Redevelopment upon completion. Costs accrued to the project for demolition, surveys, legal and professional costs which do not ultimately form part of the value of the completed assets. This is offset by an increase in value (£0.173m) of the Council’s investment in pooled funds. Whilst the movement in the value of the Treasury investments is positive, the value of these funds can fluctuate (although the investments are expected to appreciate over time). As part of this report it is proposed to appropriate funds into a reserve to cushion any adverse fluctuations.

There is a movement in Taxation and Non-Specific Grants of £1.094m in 2021/22 owing mainly to a significant reduction in Covid grants received by the Council (£5.332m) and S31 grants in reimbursement for reliefs given for NNDR of £1.961m. Both these reductions are offset by similar reductions in other operating expenditure (see note 5) and a reduction in the in-year deficit on the NDR element of the Collection Fund (£2.586m) and this reflects the reduced level of reliefs given and therefore grants received.

The Council has also released Capital grant funding of £4.305m in the year in relation to projects including Bingham Hub and Gresham (see note 27).

The variances above have resulted in an overall surplus on the Provision of Services of £7.010m compared to a surplus of £5.791m in 2020/21. Revaluations on non-current assets has resulted in a surplus of £1.696m (increases in the Arena leisure valuation  £287k, car parks £195k, and The Pavilion at Alford Road £285k).

There have also been pension adjustments changes in actuarial assumptions (Surplus of £9.567m compared to a deficit in the previous year of 13.064m). This movement represents a decrease in liabilities due to changes in financial assumptions made (discount rates and future salary and pension increases) £5.712m, a reduction in liabilities due to positive return on assets £4.176m offset by an increase in liabilities due to other experience assumptions £0.321m.

• Movement in Reserves Statement – this shows the movement in the year of the different reserves held by the Council, analysed into ‘usable reserves’ (ie those that can be applied to fund expenditure) and ‘unusable reserves’ (those that an authority is not able to utilise to provide services).

• Balance Sheet – This is a snapshot of the Councils Assets, Liabilities and Reserves at the year-end date (31 March). The Council’s overall net worth has increased by £18.273m. In the year, the cash and cash equivalents have increased by £20.5m mostly in relation to the additional grant payments received from government for business support and in relation to reliefs applied to NNDR and from the disposal of an asset held for sale (AHFS). This is partially offset by an increase in short term creditors pending repayment of balances (£7.7m) and capital grants receipts in advance (£13m) mostly relating to S106 and CIL planning agreements. Long term provisions have decreased by £1.6m and relates to the Business Rates appeals provision as there has been a settlement of an appeal on Ratcliffe on Soar power station. The Pensions Fund actuarial calculations have been reassessed as at 31 March 2022 to capture any movement in relation to the economic environment on the asset values. The accounts reflect the valuations with a net decrease of £6m in liabilities. Long term investments have increased by £2m reflecting an increase in the investments in the diversified funds during the year.

PPE has increased by £12m primarily due to expenditure on Bingham Hub and the Crematorium (Assets Under Construction). The Depot land asset held for sale of £4.6m in 2020/21 has now been disposed (resulting in an increase in cash as referred to above).

The following graph shows the change in the Council’s net worth over the past ten years. Over the last ten years there has been a positive trend of an increase in net worth (with a downward turn in 2020/21 due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on pension values) the net worth has increased in 2021/22 to £48m.

The Council’s Net Worth

Year	Net Worth £000’s	Long Term Assets £000’s	Pension Liability £000’s
2009/10	22,471	35,691	40,774
2010/11	41,741	40,487	25,638
2011/12	28,926	34,387	32,099
2012/13	28,631	38,176	34,306
2013/14	21,361	37,968	40,372
2014/15	11,532	41,773	51,625
2015/16	17,980	47,955	45,784
2016/17	6,574	54,626	58,971
2017/18	12,835	60,148	53,854
2018/19	23,450	68,134	52,278
2019/20	36,865	88,661	50,747
2020/21	29,940	90,687	63,225
2021/22	48,213	106,832	58,563

 

• Cash-flow Statement – this shows the inflows and outflows of cash arising from transactions with third parties for revenue and capital purposes.
• Notes – these provide supporting context to the above Statements.
• Accounting Policies – these explain the bases of the figures presented in the accounts.

8. Supplementary Financial Statements

• Collection Fund – this reflects the statutory requirement for the Council to maintain a separate account providing details of receipts of Council Tax and Business Rates and any associated payments to precepting authorities and central government. It is noted that there is now a deficit of £12.4m on the Business Rates section of the Collection Fund, as a result of additional reliefs issued in response to the continued effect of Covid during 2021/22 and an increase in appeals provision. The deficit on the Council Tax section has increased to £1.6m (from £1.4m) mostly as a result of the spreading of the deficit from 2020/21 which saw reduced income relative to the precept requests by various authorities mostly as a result of Covid.
• Group Accounts – according to statutory requirements the Council is required to produce Group Accounts where it has subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates. The Council has a subsidiary company Rushcliffe Enterprises Ltd (REL) which is the parent company for Streetwise Environmental Ltd (SEL) and Streetwise Environmental Trading Ltd (SETL). Although this company is currently dormant, the accounts of the subsidiaries have been consolidated. The Council has made a decision to bring back in house the Streetwise function during 2022/23.
• SEL & SELT made a combined loss of £44k. After taking into account pension gains this resulted in a profit of £0.281m and is reflected in the Group Movement in Reserves Statement (Section G Note1)

9. Summary

The Council has, and continues to face, many significant financial challenges. Delayed funding settlements and unexpected financial pressures (such as Covid, the war in Ukraine and more recently rises in inflation) make financial planning challenging. In this volatile environment, a culture of prudence is essential, however, the Council also has ambitions to deliver initiatives focusing on investment and growth in the community (including the opportunity of the Freeport) and this will stand the Council in good stead to meet both the operational and financial challenges it now faces. The Council must ensure it is prepared to face future financial pressures but also not lose sight of its longer-term agenda to ensure the Borough remains a great place to live, work and remain healthy; and for future generations that it has a sustainable environment. The Council has committed to meeting a net zero carbon emissions target and in support of that holds a Climate Change Reserve and has created a Vehicle Replacement Reserve.

The Council is committed to delivering the services our residents value, economic growth, and change for the Borough through the delivery of its key strategies: from leisure to transformation. The Council will continue to be innovative (under much tighter constraints) so it continues to progress and provide better value for money for taxpayers. The Council will continue to aim to provide an environment to support both businesses and the community in these most challenging of times. At the forefront of economic growth in the longer term will be the role of both the Freeport and Development Corporation and the opportunities these will create. The challenges that face Rushcliffe are ones which both members and officers of the Borough Council are determined to meet.

10. Further Information

Further information about the Statement of Accounts is available from the Financial Services section at:

Rushcliffe Arena

Rugby Road

West Bridgford

Nottinghamshire

NG2 7YG

Telephone 0115 9819911, or by e-mail: finance@rushcliffe.gov.uk

In addition, members of the public have a statutory right to inspect the accounts before the annual audit is completed. The availability of the accounts for inspection is advertised on our website.

Peter Linfield Executive

Director - Finance and Corporate Services

31 July 2022

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B. Annual Governance Statement

1. Scope and Purpose

1.1 Scope of responsibility

Rushcliffe Borough Council is responsible for ensuring that its business is conducted in accordance with the law and proper standards, that public money is safeguarded and properly accounted for, and used economically, efficiently and effectively. Rushcliffe Borough Council also has a duty under the Local Government Act 1999 to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

In discharging this overall responsibility, Rushcliffe Borough Council is responsible for putting in place proper arrangements for the governance of its affairs, facilitating the effective exercise of its functions which includes arrangements for the management of risk.

Rushcliffe Borough Council has approved and adopted a code of corporate governance which is consistent with the principles of the CIPFA/SOLACE Framework Delivering Good Governance in Local Government (2016). The seven principles (A-G) are highlighted at various points within the statement. This statement explains how Rushcliffe Borough Council has complied with the code and also meets the requirements of regulation 4(2) of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003 as amended by the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006, 2011 and 2015, in relation to the publication of a statement on internal control.

1.2 The purpose of the governance framework

The governance framework comprises the systems, processes, culture and values, by which the authority is directed and controlled and the activities through which it accounts to, engages with and leads the community. It enables the authority to monitor the achievement of its strategic objectives and to consider whether those objectives have led to the delivery of appropriate, cost-effective services.

The system of internal control is a significant part of that framework and is designed to manage risk to a reasonable level. It cannot eliminate all risk of failure to achieve policies, aims and objectives and can, therefore, only provide reasonable, and not absolute, assurance of effectiveness. The system of internal control is based on an on-going process designed to identify and prioritise the risks to the achievement of Rushcliffe Borough Council's policies, aims and objectives, to evaluate the likelihood of those risks being realised and the impact should they be realised, and to manage them efficiently, effectively and economically.

The governance framework has been in place at Rushcliffe Borough Council for the year ended 31 March 2022 and up to the date of approval of the statement of accounts.

2. The Governance Framework

Principles C & D – Defining outcomes in terms of sustainable benefits (economic, social and environmental) and determining interventions to achieve them.

2.1 Vision and priorities

Long term strategic planning has enabled Rushcliffe to address its immediate financial pressures, develop a medium-term financial strategy to 2026/27 and introduce its seventh Corporate Strategy covering the period 2019 to 2023. The document is defined as a living strategy – one which will grow and evolve over its lifespan to adapt to the change needs of the authority. The four key priorities, contained within the Strategy, are:

• Quality of Life
• Efficient Services
• Sustainable Growth
• The Environment.

The integration of service and financial planning continues year on year and is resourced by the financial strategy.

The Council continues to work towards the delivery of its Transformation Strategy, its plan to address the financial pressures facing all public bodies. This outlines how the Council will meet its financial challenges until 2026/27. The Transformation Strategy focuses upon three key elements – income generation, transformation and business cost reduction. As part of the transformation process, the Council is continuously reviewing the services it provides to identify improved or alternative methods of delivery which will enable it to meet its financial targets without eroding the high quality of service for which Rushcliffe is known.

All key tasks within the current service delivery plans have been linked directly to the Council’s strategic objectives.

2.2 Improvement and Efficiency

As with other public bodies, the Council faces unprecedented financial pressures. The 2022/23 Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) predicts a deficit of £1.3m to 2024/25 (returning to a surplus thereafter). Last year we projected a budget deficit of £1.5m until 2023/24 in the MTFS. The impact of both Covid and now the Ukraine conflict continues to be felt with the impact of rising inflation. This undoubtedly presents risk to the Council’s budget position. That said the Council has increased Contingency budget to £0.3m and a recommendation to July 2022 Cabinet (as a result of 2021/22 budget efficiencies) a further £0.25m pay contingency given the uncertainty of future pay awards. Other pay and service pressures arise from the ability to attract and retain staff and the impact on Council pay scales of the increasing national minimum living wage. This is likely to lead to significant additional financial pressures as staff salaries are affected and pay differentials are eroded. This may also have an impact with our external partners (eg Leisure contracts) who will look to address the potential of a rising cost base.

A combination of cost control and income generation and better than expected local economic performance linked to prudent Covid assumptions, has resulted in a budget efficiency position in 2021/22 of £0.211m (taking into account government grants to mitigate the impact of Covid, carry forward requests to meet service challenges and new reserves such as for vehicle replacement to maintain effective service delivery and meet the additional investment as a result of carbon neutral initiatives). Going forward there remain significant financial risks, and these are commented on below. Over the next 5 years a net budget deficit position is anticipated of £0.624m. Use of the Organisational Stabilisation reserve will ensure the Council continues to deliver its main corporate objectives. The impact of Covid and the ongoing economic impact (particularly the impact of high inflation) as a result of the Ukraine crisis means the trajectory of economic recovery remains uncertain and will continue to be closely monitored and the associated changes to the Council’s projected financial position.

Going forward the Council will review the Transformation Programme including the impact of delays to both the development of the Crematorium and Bingham Leisure Hub on income streams and leisure contract savings. Streetwise is being brought back in-house and its performance, both operational and financial, will continue to be evaluated. The Business Rates, Fair Funding and New Homes Bonus reviews continue to be delayed and it is anticipated now that these will not come to fruition until 2024/25, at the earliest. Revised assumptions will be reflected in the 2023/24 MTFS.

The budget will still focus on the following thematic areas to be balanced in future years:

(a) Service Efficiencies – focusing on both the customer and streamlining services;

(b) Management budget control – challenging base budgets each year;

(c) Transformational Projects – projects such as a new crematorium, Bingham leisure hub facilities and bringing Streetwise back in-house; and

(d) ‘Thinking big’ reviews – the emergence of the  Development Corporation and Freeport area around Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station.

To secure a medium-term financial position, the Council will maintain progress and focus on managing budget reductions where appropriate, managing inflationary pressures on its operational costs, whilst increasing income to deliver balanced budgets annually.

Critical to this is the Council’s approach to commercialism, covered in the Transformation Strategy. A combination of capital demands and opportunities within the Borough led the Council to take the strategic decision to realign its financial commitments resulting in a reduction in its spend on the Asset Investment Strategy as significant resources are required for investment in the Bingham Leisure Hub and the crematorium. The Council’s Capital and Investment Strategy incorporates reporting on commercial investments (complying with professional recommended practice) including the investment in 2 office facilities in Edwalton, governing the risk of such investments individually; and collectively in relation to the Council’s other income streams. Over the term of the MTFS, the income generated from such investments is estimated to rise from £1.6m (2021/22) to £2.4m (2026/27) and performance is reported to Corporate Governance Group throughout the year. The Council no longer invest in assets specifically for a commercial return.

2.3 The Constitution

Principle A - Behaving with integrity, demonstrating strong commitment to ethical values, and respecting the rule of law

A comprehensive document detailing the Council’s constitution clearly sets out the defined structure for the Council’s organisational arrangements based upon a cabinet executive model. In essence, the different roles can be summarised as follows:

• Council decides upon certain policies and other specialist functions that cannot be delegated elsewhere, including the setting of the council tax;
• Cabinet is allocated authority by Council to take executive decisions and approve policies not reserved for consideration by Council. Cabinet and Council works to a Forward Plan of forthcoming decisions for up to three months ahead;
• The work of Cabinet has been supported by four scrutiny groups. Following a review of scrutiny in early 2019, the Council now has a Corporate Overview Group, which manages corporate performance and financial control as well as the work programmes for the three additional scrutiny groups of Governance, Growth and Development, and Communities;
• Separate committees exist for Standards, Planning, Employment Appeals, Licensing, and Interviewing; and
• Delegation arrangements to officers are set out in detail within the Constitution.

The Constitution also provides detailed guidance on standing orders, financial regulations and the conduct of meetings. In addition, it contains codes of conduct applying to members and officers as well as a protocol for councillor/officer relationships. The codes include reference to the need to declare any interests which may conflict with the individual’s role at the Council. The registers for councillors and officers are maintained by the Council’s Monitoring Officer and the Strategic Human Resources Manager respectively. The Council has in place a confidential reporting code (whistleblowing policy) and any referrals under the policy are investigated.

The Constitution, as a whole, is reviewed when necessary and appropriate. The last review was in July 2021 and a further review is planned for July 2022.

2.4 Policies, Procedures, Laws and Regulations

The Council has three statutory officer roles: the Head of Paid Service, the Section 151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer. The Chief Executive is the Head of Paid Service and has overall corporate management and operational responsibility including overall management responsibility for all officers. The Chief Executive has the special responsibility to report if insufficient resources are available for the Council to discharge its legal duties. The Monitoring Officer ensures lawfulness and fairness in decision making and ensures the Constitution is current.

The Section 151 Officer is specifically responsible for the proper discharge of financial arrangements and must advise the Council where any proposal might be unlawful or where expenditure is likely to exceed resources.

The Council’s financial management arrangements should conform with the governance requirements of the CIPFA Statement on the Role of the Chief Finance Officer in Local Government (2010). During 2021/22, the Council’s financial management arrangements complied in all respects with the governance requirements of the aforementioned statement, in particular:

• During 2021/22, the Director Finance and Corporate Services held the post of Chief Finance Officer. The post holder is a professionally qualified accountant with direct access to the Chief Executive, Leader of the Council and other Cabinet members. The post holder also has direct access to the Governance Scrutiny Group and the Council’s internal and external auditors.
• The Chief Finance Officer has a line of professional accountability for all finance staff and for ensuring that the finance function is ‘fit for purpose’. The Council has established robust arrangements to manage its finances, including a Medium Term Financial Strategy, annual budget process and compliance with CIPFA’s Codes and Guidance on the Prudential Framework for Capital Finance, Treasury Management and the management of reserves.
• Internal audit services are provided to the Council by BDO. The effectiveness of this service is monitored by the Governance Scrutiny Group.
• The Chief Executive and three Directors are responsible for ensuring that legislation and policy relating to service delivery and health and safety are implemented in practice. Oversight of these arrangements is provided by the Director Neighbourhoods.

2.5 Risk Management

Principle F – Managing risks and performance through robust internal control and strong public financial management

The Council’s risk management arrangements are regularly reviewed. In the last twelve months, the Governance Scrutiny Group reviewed the Risk Register in September, considering Risk corporate, operational and Covid-19 related risks. Six new risks were reported and five were removed. Additionally, there were five increases and ten reductions to risk ratings.

The Council also reports on risk as part of its reporting framework to Full Council, Cabinet and Scrutiny.

The 2021/22 Annual Report by Internal Audit pleasingly states ‘Overall, we are able to provide Substantial Assurance that the risk and control arrangements at the Council should deliver the objectives and risk management aims of the organisation in the areas under review. There is only a small risk of failure or non-compliance. This is our highest level of assurance’.

This reflects well on the Council particularly against the current background of the Covid-19 pandemic and now the ‘cost of living crisis’ and ongoing impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

2.6 Development and training needs

Principle E – Developing the council’s capacity including the capability of council leadership and staff

The Council has a cross party Member Development Group (MDG) to oversee the development and delivery of Councillor learning and training. This Group meets to review the delivery of the annual training programme and looks at the Councillors’ Community Grant Scheme before each election.

Following the suspension during 2020/21 to enable Councillors to spend additional time supporting their communities, the Council adopted a Councillors’ Learning and Development Policy in July 2021. Training required for membership of regulatory committees was brought up to date and additional training for councillors was delivered in-person, virtually and via the Council’s e-learning platform. Topics during 2021/22 included Defib and CPR, Enforcement, Planning, Motions, Scrutiny, Treasury Management and Media Training. Councillors now have an Individual Training Record which lists the training they have done during this term of office.

During 2022/23 the Council’s Member Development Group will meet four times to develop the Council’s Become a Councillor Campaign, the induction programme which officers deliver following the Borough Council election in May 2023, and the training plan for 2023/24 following the induction.

The identification and delivery of appropriate training for officers is overseen by the whole of the Executive Management Team who ensure that organisational Learning and Development Plans linking to individual annual Performance Development Reviews (PDRs) are effectively managed and delivered. The Council recognises the importance of training to its workforce. A skills audit for Corporate Governance Group Members is due to take place in the coming months.

2.7 Communication

Principle B - Ensuring openness and comprehensive stakeholder engagement

Three editions of Rushcliffe Reports – the Council’s newsletter for residents – are printed and circulated to over 50,000 households each year and these set out details of a number of key service changes and request customer feedback.

A three yearly resident’s survey was publicised in the magazine in its summer edition and across the Council’s digital channels that saw 84% of respondents satisfied, or very satisfied, with their local area as a place to live, 2% higher than the Local Government Association national survey.

Despite further COVID-19 challenges, the Council has continued to increasingly implement the use of recognised communication techniques to keep its residents, staff and members informed, including the use of social media which saw it attract hundreds more subscribers across its various channels as they in total approach 20,000 followers.

During 2021/22, the Council continued developing its electronic free subscription newsletter to stakeholders, another communication method that now sees thousands receive a weekly digest on council news and updates direct to their inbox.

Customer satisfaction surveys also resumed with key customer facing services such as environmental health, revenues and benefits and the Home Alarms service. The latter received a 100% satisfaction rating from users for the sixth consecutive year. The feedback received from these exercises will continue to be used to improve services to all customers.

2.8 Partnerships

The Council has put in place strong governance arrangements around the major leisure services, garage services, Streetwise Environmental Ltd (SEL) and car parking contracts. In 2021/22 there were quarterly meetings of the Streetwise Board chaired by the Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Streetwise. Whilst Streetwise brings opportunity there is also risk in terms of how the company develops. Its level of profits have been minimal and a decision was taken by Cabinet in February 2022 to bring the Company back in-house from 1 September 2022. This was precipitated by the loss of the Metropolitan Housing Contract; and when balancing risk with reward there was little justification to retain a separate Company.

Since 1 June 2022 the Chief Executive is the Chair of the Company until it winds down, with the Council’s s151 Officer also representing RBC as a Corporate Director.

Rushcliffe Enterprises Ltd (REL) has also been set-up as a holding company for the Council which incorporates SEL (chaired by the Chief Executive); and any other companies that the Council creates in the future. Currently this is dormant.

A revised company and governance structure has also been adopted to provide proportionate oversight and governance of SEL and Streetwise Environmental Trading Ltd. This incorporates an Oversight Board (3 Cabinet Members and the Chief Executive) and annual reports to both Governance Scrutiny Group and Cabinet. From 1 September 2022 such arrangements will no longer be required.

Following the Government announcement regarding the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations, Ratcliffe on Soar Power Station is due to be decommissioned by 2025. This could have a significant impact on the Borough both financially (loss of business rates) and with the potential to have a very large derelict site at the entrance to the Borough from the A453. The Development Corporation (DevCo) would provide greater certainty on the redevelopment of the site, leveraging investment and resources to support delivery. The Chief Executive of the Council is a Director of the newly established interim vehicle with the Council committing £0.5m (an earmarked reserve) to support the Development Corporation along with the same contributions from North West Leicestershire and Broxtowe district councils; and £1.5m each from both Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire County Councils. The Leader sits on the Oversight Authority.

Furthermore, the power station site is part of the proposal for the East Midlands Freeport one of 8 successful bids announced by the Chancellor. The Council currently awaits the outcome from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), with the Final business Case now being submitted. From 1 June 2022 the Freeport was incorporated as a Company – East Midlands Freeport (EMF). The Leader of the Council sits on the Board as a Director. Both the DevCo and Freeport present great opportunities for a world-class green and blue environmental investment programme with research and development in climate change and zero carbon technology and will enable employment opportunities and infrastructure investment.

The Council is engaged in the current County Deal proposals with other Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire authorities. There is the real likelihood of an East Midlands Mayor being in situ from May 2024. Current proposals would still mean Rushcliffe as a Borough will retain its sovereignty, although there is a clear direction of travel for Councils to work more collaboratively for the benefit of their local communities.

2.9 Transparency

Principle G – Implementing good practice in transparency, reporting and audit to deliver effective accountability

All reports to meetings of Council, Cabinet, Scrutiny Groups and other committees are publicly available on the Council’s website. Minutes are also published providing a record of the meeting and any decisions taken, and the Council provides public access to audio and video recordings of meetings. Despite Covid the Council continued with its business (see Section 4.1). Other forms of public accountability reporting include the Annual Statement of Accounts, the Council’s Annual Report and in-year financial and performance monitoring reports which are reported to the Governance Scrutiny Group and Corporate Overview Group respectively. Reports from the Council’s internal auditors (BDO) and external auditors (Mazars) are published online, including their annual reports.

The Corporate Overview Group monitor performance against targets on a quarterly basis. BDO are compliant with the requirements of the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards and has direct access to councillors and staff in order to discharge their duties.

The Council publishes information in accordance with the Local Authorities (Data Transparency) Code.

3. Review of Effectiveness

3.1 Introduction

Rushcliffe Borough Council has responsibility for conducting, at least annually, a review of the effectiveness of its governance framework including the system of internal control. The review of effectiveness is informed by the work of the senior managers within the authority who have responsibility for the development and maintenance of the governance environment, the Head of Internal Audit's annual report, and also by comments made by the external auditors and other review agencies and inspectorates. This review is considered by the Governance Scrutiny Group.

3.2 The Council

The Council approves and keeps under regular review all the strategic policies which it reserves for its own consideration, including:

• The Constitution
• The Corporate Strategy
• The Capital Programme and Revenue Budget
• The Housing Strategy
• The Local Development Framework.

3.3 The Cabinet

The Cabinet carries out the executive functions of the Council as required by the legislation and the Council’s constitution. It accordingly:

• Takes key decisions
• Takes other executive decisions
• Approves policies other than those reserved for Council
• Recommends to Council policies and budgetary decisions.

3.4 Scrutiny groups - Governance Scrutiny Group

The Governance Scrutiny Group is charged with Governance and has a number of responsibilities including:

• Overseeing financial governance arrangements
• Overseeing strategic risk management
• Scrutinising the Annual Governance Statement
• Scrutinising the Statement of Accounts
• Reviewing the plans and work of Internal Audit
• Overseeing the review of the Constitution
• Receiving reports from external audit in relation to the audit arrangements.

3.5 Other Scrutiny Groups

The Corporate Overview Group reviews the performance of the Council against the approved targets. Other reports are taken to this group and during the last year include the diversity annual report, annual customer survey and the health and safety reports. This Group is also responsible for driving forward and reviewing the changes brought about by the review of scrutiny in early 2019.

In addition to the Corporate Overview Group and Governance Scrutiny Group, the Council has two other scrutiny groups which were formed during 2019. The first, Communities, looks at areas that affect the community such as the Council’s partnerships and the development of a Carbon Management Plan for the Council and the WISE environmental crime enforcement update. The other group, Growth and Development, is tasked with looking at different aspects of growth within the Borough and has, this year for example, scrutinised reports in relation to the River Trent footbridge and cycling networks in the borough.

3.6 Directors

Directors are responsible for ensuring proper standards of internal control within their service areas. On-going reviews are undertaken throughout the year. At the end of the financial year, Directors are required to confirm that they have reviewed the system of internal control and identify any areas where improvements are necessary. In 2021/22 the number of Directors was reduced from four to three and the Chief Executive having a department with responsibility for Legal Services, Human Resources and the Business Support Unit.

3.7 Internal Audit

Internal Audit is responsible for the review of the systems of internal control and for giving an opinion on both the corporate and service specific standards in place. Following a joint procurement process with Gedling Borough Council in 2019/20, this contract was awarded to BDO until 2023/24. An Audit Strategy has been developed covering all activities of the Council at a level and frequency determined using a risk management methodology.

An annual audit plan governs each year’s activity and at the completion of each audit, a report is produced for management with recommendations for improvement. Regular reports covering internal audit activities are submitted to the Governance Scrutiny Group for scrutiny.

The Head of Internal Audit is required to provide an annual opinion on the overall adequacy and effectiveness of the Authority’s framework of governance, risk management and control, together with reasons if the opinion is unfavourable.

A detailed annual review of the effectiveness of the Council’s system of internal control is undertaken every year and reported to the Governance Scrutiny Group. The Annual Report states positively ‘Overall, we are able to provide Substantial Assurance that the risk and control arrangements at the Council should deliver the objectives and risk management aims of the organisation in the areas under review. There is only a small risk of failure or non-compliance. This is our highest level of assurance’. Last year the rating was ‘moderate assurance’ so this represents an improvement in the rating. To this end the Council maintains an adequate and effective framework for risk management, governance and internal control, as recognised by the Head of Internal Audit.

3.8 External Audit

The external auditors, Mazars, review the Council’s arrangements for:

• Preparing accounts in compliance with statutory and other relevant requirements;
• Ensuring the proper conduct of financial affairs and monitoring their adequacy and effectiveness in practice; and
• Managing performance to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources.

The auditors give an opinion on the Council’s accounts, corporate governance and performance management arrangements. The Council takes appropriate action where improvements need to be made. In their annual report for 2020/21 financial year, Mazars issued an unqualified audit opinion, expressing the view that the financial statements give a true and fair reflection of the financial position of the Authority, and of its expenditure and income for the year. This was after the 30 November deadline primarily due to the knock-on effect of delays in the pensions audit (undertaken by Grant Thornton on behalf of Notts CC) as a result of the impact of Covid on pension fund valuation and associated risks. In terms of value for money, Mazars concluded ‘we are satisfied there is not a significant weakness in the Council’s arrangements in relation to financial sustainability’.

4. Significant Governance Issues

4.1 Issues Identified, including the impact of Covid-19, the CIPFA Financial Management Code, other issues and proposed remedial action

Covid-19 Issues

The impact of Covid meant the Council had to react to an everchanging situation and where it can take proactive action. Two reports have been presented to the Corporate Overview Group looking at both the internal and external impact of Covid on both the Council and Borough (both community and businesses) and importantly how the both the Council and the community rose to address the challenges presented by Covid.

Commendably the Council has continued to deliver its core services and many areas of income have recovered to pre-Covid levels, including car parking and planning and we have continued with services such as green waste. Some areas have still not fully recovered such as the Council’s leisure centres but are approaching pre-Covid levels. There have been a number of high street incentives such as the ‘free after 3’ initiative for car parking, with summer events planned for 2022 to further encourage increased footfall.

Government funding was used to support those most in need with some £103k of community food based projects supporting residents over both summer and Christmas periods. Covid and Business Rates relief grants amounted to in excess of £5.6m. This continues to present work pressures on both the revenues, finance and customer service teams, which continues into 2022/23 with the new £150 energy rebate grants to assist residents with ‘cost of living pressures’ (£4.8m or 87% of grant, paid to residents by the start of June 2022).

Excellent IT has enabled staff and councillors to continue to work remotely. Increased enforcement has been necessary at various stages of lockdowns.

There have been numerous Covid reports to Cabinet (and many returns to central government) during the year and a ‘Going Concern’ Report regarding the Council’s immediate financial viability was presented to the Governance Scrutiny Group in November 2021. There are no issues currently regarding the Council operating as a ‘going concern’.

A summary of key areas of impact are given below:

Key Areas of Impact

Area of Impact	Issue for the Council
Provision of services	Services have largely continued as normal. During periods of lockdown front line services such as leisure centres and customer contact centres have been more effected. Car Park charges were temporarily suspended to assist business recovery, in 2021/22 for 6 months. The Council also responded to new burdens such as enforcement of the Covid Regulations in workplaces and businesses.
Council’s Workforce	The majority of the workforce has continued working and the impact on services as a result of Covid (on employee sickness) has been minimal. The Annual Health and Safety Report will be reported to September’s Corporate Overview Group.
Supply chains and third parties	The main impact on services provided has been on leisure provision (mentioned above) and this going forward remains a risk to the Council’s budget and Transformation Programme. Some payment holidays (or deferrals) have been granted to commercial tenants on a case-by-case basis. Council Tax and Business Rates collection rates remained high at the end of 2021/22.
Reserves, financial performance and financial position	The March 2021 budget projected a transfer from reserves of £3.7m largely to fund Covid grants. At the end of the financial year there was a transfer to Reserves of £1.4m due partly to budget efficiencies but in the main due to Covid grants. Overall earmarked reserves stand at £23.6m at 31 March 2022. Retaining sufficient reserves is essential given the volatile financial environment we currently operate in. The Council’s earmarked reserves at 31 March 2022 stand at £9.5m (excluding New homes Bonus and Collection Fund Surplus). The delay in Business Rates reform and Fair Funding creates further uncertainty going forward. The capital programme has been updated with a particular focus on the Crematorium and Bingham Leisure Hub. Property, plant and equipment assets have increased in value as at 31 March 2022 by £12.2m reflecting investment in the asset base (particularly ‘assets under construction’). The Council continues to monitor financial impairment regarding potential ‘bad debts’ and these amount to £0.14m a decrease of £0.03m from 20/21 due to a reduction in debts over 365 days.
Cash Flow Management	The Council during the year has received significant cash advances from central Government enabling sufficient cash to pay, in particular business grants. No external borrowing was required.
Other major risks and recovery action	The main concern is that both local businesses and the community recover and Rushcliffe returns to pre-Covid 19 levels of activity. To date the local economy and community has been resilient to the impact of Covid. Vigilance will be maintained particularly regarding the ongoing impact of the ‘cost of living crisis’.

 

The CIPFA Financial Management Code

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) last year introduced a new code, The Financial Management Code 2019 (FM Code), which sets the standards of financial management for local authorities.

Last year we detailed the Council’s self-assessment and nothing has changed regarding this. The approach used is to give a RAG rating and has been reviewed by the Council’s Section 151 Officer. In summary, the findings of the current self-assessment against the Financial Management Standards gives a green rating against each standard. We will be asking a neighbouring authority to review the assessment with the results being reported to GSG in the AGS next year.

Other Issues

The Council continues to utilise partnership arrangements with other public bodies and private organisations to deliver services. The Council, therefore, remains committed to meeting the challenge of ensuring that the appropriate governance arrangements are in place for each of the major partnerships that the Council has entered or will enter. The biggest developing arrangements as already stated concern the Development Corporation and the Freeport (see Section 2.8 above). A £0.5m reserve has been created to ensure the Council supports the initial business case development and plays an active role in decisions taken by the DevCo and Freeport Boards. Going forward the principle of ‘no detriment’ for business rates future gains, on the power station site, is being pursued so that the Council still retains a share of business rates it otherwise would have received without the Freeport.

Going forward there will also be service based pressures linked to statutory changes in relation to climate change, planning and waste services. The Council will seek to maximise opportunities with regards to both the Levelling-up and the UK Shared Prosperity funds and any other external funding streams.

Section 2.8 does mention Streetwise coming back in-house. Both the current operation of SEL and ultimately its winding down as a company are currently being project managed and will progress reported to the Oversight Board. The monitoring of Streetwise performance both prior to and after September will be undertaken via the Council’s normal due diligence processes (ie reports to both CGG, COG and Cabinet) including an Annual Report on Streetwise performance for 2021/22.

The Council has retained an ambitious capital programme a core component of which is the Bingham Leisure Hub (also including business/industrial units) with an overall budget of £20m. Efficiencies are expected from the leisure contractor albeit Covid and its impact upon the leisure industry is estimated to have put these back by up to 2 years. Both are due to open in the Autumn of 2022 – there have been some delays, linked to issues in obtaining construction materials (not uncommon in the current economic climate). The financial impact in terms of lost income is reflected in the 2021/22 year end outturn report to Cabinet (July 2022) where mitigation has been included in terms of the use of 2021/22 revenue budget efficiencies to offset the loss in income (estimated at £0.167m).

The Council is still committed to having a commercial ethos and maximising value for money for the benefit of its residents. The Council has a range of income streams and manages such risks proportionately and sensibly.

The continuing regeneration of the high street and the local Rushcliffe economy will be critical to both future service provision and the finances of the Council. Council Tax and Business Rates collection rates have been closely monitored. Positively the collection rates have shown an improvement from the previous year. At the 31 March 2022, collection rates for Council Tax have increased by 0.1% compared to 2020/21, equating to approximately £60k increase over the previous year’s performance. The collection rate for Business Rates has also shown an increase relative to the previous year (an increase of 0.2%). Despite the challenge of the pandemic on both businesses and residents, the Borough has maintained an excellent level of Council Tax and Business Rates collection.

One other effect of Covid-19 is that the planned reviews of Business Rates and Fair Funding continue to be delayed. The current expectation is that they will be delayed until at least 2023/24. Hew homes Bonus has already been subject to consultation in 2021, as yet there has been no feedback from Government as to its future (it is expected this will be resolved in synergy with the aforementioned finance reviews). Unfortunately, the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2021 shed little light on these issues. This complex economic environment is further compounded by the uncertainty that BREXIT has created.

In the past we have referenced the risk of Power station appeals given the reduction in business rates for the power station, over time, which therefore erodes this particular income stream to the Council. The Q3 Finance report to Cabinet detailed the impact of the most recent appeal with business rates reducing from £2.9m to £1.6m per annum (backdated to April 2017). Prudently retaining a sufficient business rates appeals provision on the Balance Sheet ensured the impact of this was largely nullified. The upside risk is that the Council’s future exposure to a power station appeal will have a smaller impact and similarly when the power station is ultimately de-commissioned its financial impact will not be as greatly felt.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy will continue to be reported as part of the Council’s normal finance and performance due diligence. The key areas of risk being its key income streams, significant levels of inflation and the ongoing ramifications of the Russian-Ukraine conflict on the global economy, staff recruitment and retention, the challenges and opportunities of both the Freeport and Development Corporation, Business Rates and Council Tax collection, the capital programme and its funding, delays to the anticipated national business rates and fair funding system and ultimately the position and sustainability of the Council’s reserves.

Challenges arising from welfare reform and the continued introduction of Universal Credit (which occurred in October 2018 for the majority of Rushcliffe) give further financial and operational risks. The Council also has to address the issue of ensuring there is sufficient housing supply to meet its housing targets within its local plan. Whilst the Core Strategy was approved in 2014, much work has been undertaken to identify preferred options for Local Plan part 2, which was finally adopted by Full Council in October 2019.

The Abbey Road disposal and the development of the depot site continues (progress was reported to the Growth and Development Scrutiny Group, January 2021). This will result in 71 new homes, with at least 30% (23 properties) affordable housing in accordance with the environmentally sustainable design code and Masterplan. These are indicative of the Council’s commitment to support housing, business growth and the environment.

The Council continues to be involved in various collaboration activities including payroll, tree advice, ICT provision and Building Control, and Trading Standards.

In addition, where opportunities arise, consideration is given to the appropriate delivery model and how to involve partners to maximise objectives. More strategically the County Deal as referenced above will also lend itself to future opportunities of collaboration.

The external auditors have noted a number of risks in their Audit Strategy Memorandum 2022, namely:

• Appropriate controls are in place to prevent ‘management override’;
• The completeness and accuracy regarding the Council’s valuation of property, plant and equipment; and
• The Local Government Pension Scheme and the risk that the data is inaccurate and the impact of these inaccuracies on the financial accounts.

It is recognised that ICT threats and opportunities continue to evolve, it is imperative that the Borough Council has a clear understanding of how these impact on their day to day operations, particularly in the light of recent global cyber security threats. A review of Data Protection requirements with the General Data Protection Regulations, is ongoing. Pleasingly the audit this year gives this area ‘substantial assurance’.

Despite the challenging economic environment, the Council remains committed to reducing its carbon footprint and continue to deliver excellent services. The Climate Change Reserve of £1m has not been diverted to resource Covid financial pressures and pertinently a new reserve to enable vehicle replacement of £1m has been established. Plans with regards to the climate challenge and the use of resources continue to be reported to the Communities Scrutiny Group (April 2022, Carbon Management Plan). Although a number of carbon reduction initiatives have been completed these have been fully funded by grants, or via existing budgets, with no call on the Climate Change reserve.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched the Resources and Waste Strategy setting out how the country can minimise waste, promote resource efficiency and move towards a circular economy. This potentially could have significant adverse financial implications for the Council in terms of both revenue and capital funding. The Council will, therefore, be making representation to relevant bodies and working with peers on how to mitigate this risk.

The pensions’ triennial review was produced in 2019 with pensions costs for the next 3 years, largely unchanged to what are currently paid. Given the current volatility of financial markets with both Covid-19 and BREXIT on the horizon there will be potential revenue account and balance sheet risks that will be reported in the Medium Term financial Strategy 2023/24 (for any employer contribution rate changes) and the annual accounts closedown process in 2023/24.

Based on our review of the governance framework, the following significant issues will be addressed in 2022/23:

Governance Framework – issues to be addressed

Issue	Reporting to	Methodology	Timescale
Compliance with the Financial Management Code	Governance Group	Local Authority peer review	By March 2023
Monitor the delivery of the Transformation Strategy and ongoing budget position covering on-going Covid-19 and inflation risks and Streetwise insourcing	Reports to EMT, Scrutiny and Cabinet	On-going financial reports	At least quarterly reporting
Monitor the delivery of the capital programme and significant projects such as the Bingham Leisure Hub and Crematorium	Report to Corporate Overview Group and Cabinet	On-going financial and performance reports	Quarterly
Monitor Business Rates, Fair Funding and New Homes Bonus developments	Report to Cabinet and Full Council	Included as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy reporting; update to CGG as part of the AGS	By March 2023

 

5. Statement of the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council

We have been advised of the implications of the result of the review of the effectiveness of the governance framework by the Governance Scrutiny Group. The arrangements continue to be regarded as fit for purpose in accordance with the governance framework. The areas already addressed, and those to be specifically addressed with new actions planned, are outlined above.

We propose over the coming year to take steps to address the above matters to further enhance our governance arrangements. We are satisfied that these steps will address the need for improvements that were identified in our review of effectiveness and will monitor their implementation and operation as part of our next annual review.

Signed……………K Marriott (Chief Executive)

Signed……………Councillor S Robinson (Leader)

Date: 30 November 2022

 

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C. Independent auditor’s report to the members of Rushcliffe Borough Council

Report on the financial statements

Report to be added.

 

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Statement of Accounts 2021/2022

D. Statement of Responsibilities for the Statement of Accounts

The Council’s Responsibilities

The Council is required to:

• make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs and to secure that one of its officers has the responsibility for the administration of those affairs. In this Council, that officer is the Director - Finance and Corporate Services.
• manage its affairs to secure economic, efficient and effective use of resources and safeguard its assets.
• approve the Statement of Accounts.

The Director (Finance and Corporate Services) Responsibilities

The Director (Finance and Corporate Services) is responsible for the preparation of the Council’s Statement of Accounts in accordance with proper practices, as set out in the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s “Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom” (“the Code of Practice”).

In preparing this Statement of Accounts, the Director (Finance and Corporate Services) has:

• selected suitable accounting policies and then applied them consistently
• made judgements and estimates that were reasonable and prudent
• complied with the Code of Practice.

The Director (Finance and Corporate Services) has also:

• kept proper accounting records which were up to date
• taken reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Director (Finance and Corporate Services) should sign and date the Statement of Accounts, stating that it gives a true and fair view of the financial position of the Council at the accounting date and its income and expenditure for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Certificate

This statement of accounts is unaudited and may be subject to change prior to formal approval by the Governance Group.

I hereby certify that the following Statement of Accounts gives a true and fair view of the financial position of Rushcliffe Borough Council at 31 March 2022 and its income and expenditure for the financial year ended 31 March 2022.

Peter Linfield

Director - Finance and Corporate Services

 

Formal Approval

The Governance Scrutiny Group will consider the Final (Audited) Statement of Accounts in November 2022 for approval.

 

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E. The Financial Statements

Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement for The Year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

This statement shows the accounting cost in the year of providing services in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), rather than the amount to be funded from taxation. Authorities raise taxation to cover expenditure in accordance with regulations; this may be different from the accounting cost. The taxation position is shown in the Movement in Reserves Statement.

Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement for The Year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

2020/21 Gross Exp £’000	2020/21 Income £’000	2020/21 Net Exp £’000	Description	Note	2021/22 Gross Exp £’000	2021/22 Income £’000	2021/22 Net Exp £’000
1,934	(60)	1,847	Chief Executive	-	2,033	(56)	1,977
3,146	(1,699)	1,447	Finance and Corporate	-	3,489	(1,788)	1,701
18,661	(14,714)	3,947	Neighbourhoods	-	17,748	(13,301)	4,447
12,530	(4,871)	7,659	Development & Growth	-	14,034	(6,377)	7,657
36,271	(21,344)	14,927	Cost of Services	-	37,304	(21,522)	15,782
-	-	3,212	Other Operating Expenditure	5	-	-	(73)
-	-	(920)	Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure	6	-	-	(803)
-	-	(23,010)	Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income	7	-	-	(21,916)
-	-	(5,791)	(Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services	-	-	-	(7,010)
-	-	(721)	(Surplus)/Deficit on Revaluation of Non-Current Assets	-	-	-	(1,696)
-	-	13,064	Actuarial (Gains)/Losses on Pension Assets / Liabilities	32	-	-	(9,567)
-	-	372	Other Recognisable (Gains)/ Losses	-	-	-	0
-	-	12,715	Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure	-	-	-	(11,263)
-	-	6,924	Total Comprehensive Income and Expenditure	-	-	-	(18,273)

 

Movement in Reserves Statement (MIRS) for the Period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

This statement shows the movement in the year on the different reserves held by the Council, analysed into ‘usable reserves’ (ie those that can be applied to fund expenditure or reduce local taxation) and other reserves. The Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services line shows the true economic cost of providing the Council’s services, more details of which are shown in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. These are different from the statutory amounts required to be charged to the General Fund Balance for council tax setting. The Net Increase/Decrease before Transfers to Earmarked Reserves line shows the statutory General Fund  Balance before any discretionary transfers to or from earmarked reserves.

Movement in Reserves During 2021/22

Description	Note	General Fund Balance £000’s	Earmarked GF Reserves (Note 5) £000’s	Capital Receipts Reserve £000’s	Capital Grants Unapplied £000’s	Total Usable Reserves £000’s	Unusable Reserves (Note 19) £000’s	Total Reserves £000’s
Balance as at 1 April 2021	-	2,604	22,365	494	364	25,827	4,114	29,941
Surplus/(Deficit) on the provision of services	-	7,010	-	-	-	7,010	-	7,010
Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure	-	-	-	-	-	-	11,263	11,263
Other Recognisable Gains/(Losses)	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
Total Comprehensive Income and Expenditure	-	7,010	0	0	0	7,010	11,263	18,273
Adjustments between accounting basis & funding basis under regulations	(3)	(5,800)	-	331	(204)	(5,673)	5,673	0
Net Increase/(Decrease) before Transfers to Earmarked Reserves	-	1,210	0	331	(204)	1,337	16,936	18,273
Transfers to/from Earmarked Reserves	(4)	(1,210)	1,210	0	0	0	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in year	-	0	1,210	331	(204)	1,337	16,936	18,273
Balance as at 31 March 2021 carried forward	-	2,604	23,575	825	160	27,164	21,050	48,214

 

Movement in Reserves Statement (MIRS) for the Period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021

Movement in Reserves During 2020/21

Description	Note	General Fund Balance £000’s	Earmarked GF Reserves (Note 5) £000’s	Capital Receipts Reserve £000’s	Capital Grants Unapplied £000’s	Total Usable Reserves £000’s	Unusable Reserves (Note 20) £000’s	Total Reserves £000’s
Balance as at 1 April 2020	-	2,604	13,473	3,538	220	19,835	17,030	36,865
Surplus/(Deficit) on the provision of services	-	5,791	0	0	0	5,791	0	5,791
Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure	-	0	0	0	0	0	(12,343)	(12,343)
Other Recognisable Gains/(Losses)	-	0	0	0	0	0	(372)	(372)
Total Comprehensive Income and Expenditure	-	5,791	0	0	0	5,791	(12,715)	(6,924)
Adjustments between accounting basis & funding basis under regulations	-	3,101	0	(3,044)	144	201	(201)	0
Net Increase/(Decrease) before Transfers to Earmarked Reserves	-	8,892	0	(3,044)	144	5,992	(12,916)	(6,924)
Transfers to/from Earmarked Reserves	-	(8,892)	8,892	0	0	0	0	0
Increase (Decrease) in year	-	0	8,892	(3,044)	144	5,992	(12,916)	(6,924)
Balance as at 31 March 2020 carried forward	-	2,604	22,365	494	364	25,827	4,114	29,941

 

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2022

This shows the value of the assets and liabilities recognised by the Council. The net assets of the Council (assets less liabilities) are matched by the reserves held by the Council. Reserves are reported in two categories. The first category of reserves are usable reserves, ie those reserves that the Council may use to provide services, subject to the need to maintain a prudent level of reserves and any statutory limitations on their use (for example the Capital Receipts Reserve may only be used to fund capital expenditure or repay debt). The second category of reserves is those that the Council is not able to use to provide services. This category of reserves  includes reserves that hold unrealised gains and losses (for example the Revaluation Reserve), where amounts would only become available to provide services if the assets are sold; and reserves that hold timing differences shown in the Movement in Reserves Statement line ‘Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis under regulations’.

Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2022

31 March 2021 £’000	Description	Note	31 March 2022 £’000
45,725	Property, Plant and Equipment	8	57,950
88	Heritage Assets	-	114
29,127	Investment Property	9	30,753
126	Intangible Assets	10	127
13,050	Long Term Investment	12	15,222
2,570	Long Term Debtors	12, 13	2,240
90,686	Long Term Assets	-	106,406
15,000	Short Term Investments	-	13,000
4,586	Assets Held for Sale	11	0
0	Inventories	-	0
7,789	Short Term Debtors	13	9,387
19,401	Cash and Cash Equivalents	15	39,872
46,776	Current Assets	-	62,295
0	Short Term Borrowing	12	0
(17,402)	Short Term Creditors	16	(25,072)
0	Short Term Provisions	17	0
(17,402)	Current Liabilities	-	(25,072)
(4,555)	Long Term Provisions	17	(2,927)
(22,340)	Capital Grant Receipts in Advance	12, 27	(35,395)
(63,224)	Pension Liabilities	32	(57,057)
(90,119)	Long Term Liabilities	-	(95,379)
29,941	Net Assets	-	48,214
494	Usable Capital Receipts Reserve	MIRS	825
2,604	General Fund Balance	MIRS	2,604
22,365	Earmarked Reserves	5	23,575
364	Capital Grants Unapplied	MIRS	160
25,827	Usable Reserves	MIRS	27,164
4,114	Unusable Reserves	19	21,050
29,941	Total Reserves	-	48,214

 

Cash Flow Statement as at 31 March 2022 (Indirect Method)

The Cash Flow Statement shows the changes in cash and cash equivalents of the Council during the reporting period. The statement shows how the Council generates and uses cash and cash equivalents by classifying cash flows as operating, investing and financing activities. The amount of net cash flows arising from operating  activities is a key indicator of the extent to which the operations of the Council are funded by way of taxation and grant income or from the recipients of services  provided by the Council. Investing activities represent the extent to which cash outflows have been made for resources which are intended to contribute to the Council’s future service delivery. Cash flows arising from financing activities are useful in predicting claims on future cash flows by providers of capital (borrowing) to the Council.

Cash Flow Statement 31 March 2022

31 March 2021 £’000	Description	Note	31 March 2022 £’000
(5,791)	Net (surplus) or deficit on the provision of services	-	(7,010)
(15,244)	Adjustments to net surplus or deficit on the provision of services for non - cash movements	-	(15,113)
4,545	Adjustments for items included in the net surplus or deficit on the provision of services that are investing and financing activities	-	9,081
(16,490)	Net cash flow from Operating Activities	20	(13,042)
(3,383)	Investing Activities	21	(7,012)
5,634	Financing Activities	22	(417)
(14,239)	Net (increase) or decrease in cash and cash equivalents	15	(20,471)
(5,162)	Cash and cash equivalents as at 1 April	15	(19,401)
(19,401)	Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 March	15	(39,872)

 

Expenditure and Funding Analysis and Notes for the Year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022

The Expenditure and Funding Analysis shows how annual expenditure is used and funded from resources (government grants, rents, council tax and business rates) by authorities compared to resources consumed or earned by authorities in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices. It also shows how this expenditure is allocated for decision making purposes between the Council’s service areas. Income and expenditure accounted for under generally accepted accounting practices is presented more fully in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

Expenditure and Funding Analysis 2021-22

2020/21 Net Expenditure Chargeable to the General Fund £’000	2020/21 Adjustments between the Funding and Accounting Basis (Note 3) £’000	2020/21 Net Expenditure in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement £’000	Description	2021-22 Net Expenditure Chargeable to the General Fund £’000	2021-22 Adjustments between the Funding and Accounting Basis (Note 3) £’000	2021-22 Net Expenditure in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement £’000
1,857	17	1,874	Chief Executive	1,808	169	1,977
3,709	238	3,947	Finance and Corporate	3,852	595	4,447
6,333	1,326	7,659	Neighbourhoods	5,587	2,070	7,657
1,090	357	1,446	Development & Economic Growth	1,371	330	1,701
12,989	1,938	14,926	Net Cost of Services	12,618	3,164	15,782
(21,881)	1,163	(20,718)	Other Income and Expenditure	(13,828)	(4,896)	(22,792)
(8,892)	3,101	(5,792)	(Surplus) or Deficit	(1,210)	(1,732)	(7,010)
2,604	-	-	Opening General Fund Balance	2,604	-	-
8,892	-	-	Surplus/(Deficit) on General Fund in Year	1,210	-	-
(8,892)	-	-	Transfer (to)/from Earmarked Reserves	(1,210)	-	-
2,604	-	-	Closing General Fund Balance at 31 March	2,604	-	-

 

---

 

F. Notes to the Accounts

1. Notes to the Expenditure and Funding Analysis

2021/22 Adjustments between Funding and Accounting Basis

2021/22 Adjustments between Funding & Accounting Basis

Adjustments from General Fund to arrive at the Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement amounts	Adjustments for Capital Purposes (Note 1a) £'000	Net change for the Pensions Adjustments (Note 1b) £'000	Other Differences (Note 1c) £'000	Total Adjustments £'000
Chief Executive	0	169	0	169
Finance & Corporate Services	217	378	0	595
Neighbourhoods	1,599	471	0	2,070
Development & Economic Growth	119	211	0	330
Net cost of services	1,935	1,229	0	3,164
Other income & expenditure from the Expenditure & Funding Analysis	(9,367)	1,253	(850)	(8,964)
General Fund surplus or deficit and Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services	(7,432)	2,482	(850)	(5,800)

 

Note 1a Adjustments for Capital Purposes

Services Line – this column adds in depreciation and impairment and revaluation gains and losses in the services line.

Other operating expenditure – adjusts for capital disposals with a transfer of income on disposal of assets and the amounts written off for those assets.

Financing and investment income and expenditure – the statutory charges for capital financing (Minimum Revenue Provision and other revenue contributions are deducted from other income and expenditure as these are not chargeable under generally accepted accounting practices).

Taxation and non-specific grant income and expenditure – capital grants are adjusted for income not chargeable under generally accepted accounting practices. Revenue grants are adjusted from those receivable in the year to those receivable without conditions or for which conditions were satisfied throughout the year. The Taxation and Non Specific Grant Income and Expenditure line is credited with capital grants receivable in the year without conditions or for which conditions were satisfied in the year.

Note 1b Net Change for the Pensions Adjustments

Net change for the removal of pension contributions and the addition of IAS 19 Employee Benefits pension related expenditure and income:

For services – this represents the removal of the employer pension contributions made by the authority as allowed by statute and the replacement with current service costs and past service costs.

For Financing and investment income and expenditure – the net interest on the defined benefit liability is charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES).

Note 1c Other Differences

For Services – Other differences between amounts debited/credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement and amounts payable/receivable to be recognised under statute (Accumulated Absences).

Financing and investment income and expenditure – statutory reversal of fair value gains and losses on diversified/pooled investments.

The charge under Taxation and non-specific grant income and expenditure –

represents the difference between what is chargeable under statutory regulations for council tax and NDR that was projected to be received at the start of the year and the income recognised under generally accepted accounting practices in the Code. This is a timing difference as any difference will be brought forward in future Surpluses or Deficits on the Collection Fund.

2. Income and Expenditure Analysed by Nature

The Council’s income and expenditure is analysed as follows:

Income and Expenditure Analysed by Nature

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
-	Expenditure	-
9,048	Employee Benefit Expenses	10,604
30,461	Other Services Expenses	26,946
1,899	Depreciation, amortisation, impairment	1,701
1,119	Interest Payments (Pensions)	1,253
2,270	Precepts and Levies	2,320
0	Loss recognised from changes in the fair value of properties	307
46,066	Total Expenditure	43,131
-	Income	-
(7,089)	Fees, Charges and Other Service Income	(8,725)
(32,320)	Government Grants and Contributions	(26,720)
(6,627)	Income from Council Tax, NDR	(9,881)
(3,988)	Gain on disposal of assets	(3,965)
(1,833)	Interest and Investment Income	(850)
(51,857)	Total Income	(50,141)
(5,791)	(Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services	(7,010)

 

3. Adjustments Between Accounting Basis and Funding Basis Under Regulations

This note details the adjustments that are made to the total Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement recognised by the Council in the year in accordance with proper accounting practice to the resources that are specified by statutory provisions as being available to the Council to meet future capital and revenue expenditure.

The following sets out a description of the reserves that the adjustments are set against:

General Fund Balance

The General Fund is the statutory fund into which all the receipts of a Council are required to be paid and out of which all liabilities of the Council are to be met, except to the extent that statutory rules might provide otherwise. These rules can also specify the financial year in which liabilities and payments should impact on the General Fund Balance, which is not necessarily in accordance with proper accounting practice.

The General Fund Balance therefore summarises the resources that the Council is statutorily empowered to spend on its services or on the capital investment (or the deficit of resources that the Council is required to recover) at the end of the financial year.

Capital Receipts Reserve

This holds the proceeds from the disposal of land or other assets which are restricted by statute from being used other than to fund new capital expenditure. The balance on the reserve shows the resources that have yet to be applied for these purposes at the year end.

Capital Grants Unapplied

This holds the grants and contributions received towards the capital projects for which the Council has met the conditions that would have otherwise require repayment of the monies, but which have yet to be applied to meet expenditure. The balance is restricted by the grant terms as to the capital expenditure against which it can be applied and/or the financial year in which this can take place.

 

2020/21 Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis

2020/21 Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis

Description	2020/21 Usable Reserves General Fund Balance £’000	2020/21 Usable Reserves Capital Receipts Reserve £’000	2020/21 Usable Reserves Capital Grants Unapplied £’000	2020/21 Movements in Unusable Reserves £’000
Adjustments primarily involving the Capital Adjustment Account	-	-	-	-
Reversal of items debited or credited to the CIES	-	-	-	-
Charges for depreciation and impairment of non-current assets	(1,546)	0	0	1,546
Revaluation losses on Property Plant and Equipment	(271)	0	0	271
Movements in the market value of Investment Properties	(1,269)	0	0	1,269
Amortisation of intangible assets	(83)	0	0	83
Capital grants and contributions applied	1,441	0	0	(1,441)
Income in relation of Donated Assets	0	0	0	0
Revenue expenditure funded from capital under statute (net of Grants and Contributions)	(648)	0	0	648
Amounts of Non Current Assets written off on disposal or sale as part of the gain/loss on disposal to the CI&ES	(299)	0	0	299
Insertion of items not debited or credited to the CIES	-	-	-	-
Statutory provision for the financing of capital investment	1,000	0	0	(1,000)
Capital expenditure charged against the General Fund	149	0	0	(149)
Adjustments primarily involving the Capital Grants Unapplied Account	-	-	-	-
Capital grants and contributions unapplied credited to the CI&ES	260	0	(260)	0
Application of grants to capital financing transferred to the CAA	0	0	116	(116)
Adjustments primarily involving the Capital Receipts Reserve	-	-	-	-
Transfer of cash sale proceeds credited as part of gain/loss on disposal to the CIES	4,285	(4,551)	0	266
Capital Receipts applied	0	7,600	0	(7,600)
Transfer (from)/to the Deferred Capital Receipts Reserve upon receipt of cash	0	(5)	0	5
Adjustments primarily involving the Financial Instruments Adjustment Account	-	-	-	-
Amount by which finance costs charged to the CI&ES are different from statutory requirements	0	0	0	0
Adjustments primarily involving the Pensions Reserve	-	-	-	-
Reversal of items relating to retirement benefits debited or credited to the CI&ES (Note 45)	(3,430)	0	0	3,430
Employer’s pensions contributions and direct payments to pensioners payable in the year	2,182	0	0	(2,182)
Adjustments primarily involving the Collection Fund Adjustment Account	-	-	-	-
Amount by which council tax & business rate income credited to the CI&ES is different from statutory requirements	(6,015)	0	0	6,015
Adjustments primarily involving the Accumulated Absences Account	-	-	-	-
Amount by which officer remuneration charged to the CI&ES on an accruals basis is different from statutory requirements	0	0	0	0
Adjustments primarily involving the Pooled Fund Investment Account	-	-	-	-
Downward revaluation of value of investments not charged to the Surplus/Deficit on the Provision of Services	1,143	0	0	(1,143)
Total Adjustments	(3,101)	3,044	(144)	201

 

2021/22 Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis

2021/22 Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis

Description	2021/22 Usable Reserves General Fund Balance £’000	2021/22 Usable Reserves Capital Receipts Reserve £’000	2021/22 Usable Reserves Capital Grants Unapplied £’000	2021/22 Movements in Unusable Reserves £’000
Adjustments primarily involving the Capital Adjustment Account	-	-	-	-
Reversal of items debited or credited to the CIES	-	-	-	-
Charges for depreciation and impairment of non-current assets	(1,644)	0	0	1,644
Revaluation losses on Property Plant and Equipment	4	0	0	(4)
Revaluation losses on Heritage Assets	0	0	0	0
Movements in the market value of Investment Properties	(307)	0	0	307
Amortisation of intangible assets	(61)	0	0	61
Capital grants and contributions applied	5,543	0	0	(5,543)
Income in relation of Donated Assets	0	0	0	0
Revenue expenditure funded from capital under statute (net of Grants and Contributions)	(1,541)	0	0	1,541
Amounts of Non Current Assets written off on disposal or sale as part of the gain/loss on disposal to the CI&ES	(5,133)	0	0	5,133
Insertion of items not debited or credited to the CIES	-	-	-	-
Statutory provision for the financing of capital investment	1,074	0	0	(1,074)
Capital expenditure charged against the General Fund	242	0	0	(242)
Adjustments primarily involving the Capital Grants Unapplied Account	-	-	-	-
Capital grants and contributions unapplied credited to the CI&ES	0	0	0	0
Application of grants to capital financing transferred to the CAA	0	0	204	(204)
Adjustments primarily involving the Capital Receipts Reserve	-	-	-	-
Transfer of cash sale proceeds credited as part of gain/loss on disposal to the CIES	9,081	(9,313)	0	232
Capital Receipts applied	0	7,787	0	(7,787)
Transfer of deferred sale proceeds credited as part of the gain/loss on disposal to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement	0	1,200	0	(1,200)
Transfer (from)/to the Deferred Capital Receipts Reserve upon receipt of cash	0	(5)	0	5
Adjustments primarily involving the Financial Instruments Adjustment Account	-	-	-	-
Amount by which finance costs charged to the CI&ES are different from statutory requirements	0	0	0	0
Adjustments primarily involving the Pensions Reserve	-	-	-	-
Reversal of items relating to retirement benefits debited or credited to the CI&ES	(4,772)	0	0	4,772
Employer’s pensions contributions and direct payments to pensioners payable in the year	2,290	0	0	(2,290)
Adjustments primarily involving the Collection Fund Adjustment Account	-	-	-	-
Amount by which council tax & business rate income credited to the CI&ES is different from statutory requirements	851	0	0	(851)
Adjustments primarily involving the Accumulated Absences Account	-	-	-	-
Amount by which officer remuneration charged to the CI&ES on an accruals basis is different from statutory requirements	0	0	0	0
Adjustments primarily involving the Pooled Fund Investment Account	-	-	-	-
Downward revaluation of value of investments not charged to the Surplus/Deficit on the Provision of Services	173	0	0	(173)
Total Adjustments	5,800	(331)	204	(5,673)

 

4. Transfers To/(From) Earmarked Reserves

This note sets out the amounts set aside from the General Fund Balance in earmarked reserves to provide financing for future expenditure plans and the amounts posted back from earmarked reserves to meet General Fund expenditure.

Transfers To / From Earmarked Reserves

Description	Balance at 1 April 2021 £'000	Additions in Year £'000	Used in Year £'000	Balance at 31 March 2022 £'000
Investment Reserves	-	-	-	-
Regeneration and Community Projects	1,887	188	(178)	1,897
Investment Properties	212	271	(57)	426
New Homes Bonus	8,420	1,633	(1,074)	8,979
Corporate Reserves	-	-	-	-
Organisation Stabilisation Reserve	3,786	1,871	(1,663)	3,994
Climate Change	800	0	0	800
Collection Fund Reserve	5,990	3,179	(4,024)	5,145
Development Corporation	400	0	(70)	330
Risk and Insurance	100	0	0	100
Planning Appeals	349	0	0	349
Elections	101	50	0	151
Operating Reserves	-	-	-	-
Planning	209	169	(78)	300
Leisure Centre Maintenance	111	0	(7)	104
Planned Maintenance	0	1,000	0	1,000
Total	22,365	8,361	(7,151)	23,575

 

Investment Reserves

Regeneration and Community Projects – to provide funding to support capital improvement projects across the Borough including some special expense schemes.

Investment Properties – to fund improvements.

New Homes Bonus – to help facilitate growth within the Borough, not ring-fenced solely for housing projects.

Invest to Save – originally to fund projects that generate future savings. The balance was transferred to the Organisation Stabilisation Reserve as part of reserves rationalisation.

Corporate Reserves

Organisation Stabilisation Reserve – to be used to provide resilience against risks surrounding the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Climate Change Reserve – to support projects that contribute to the Council’s ambitions to protect and enhance the environment.

Collection Fund Reserve – to smooth effects of surplus/deficits as a result of timing differences.

Development Corporation – to support the work to establish a Development Corporation and Freeport.

Risk and Insurance – to provide funding to be used to reduce the risk of loss or injury in the provision of services, with the objective of reducing future insurance costs.

Planning Appeals – to provide funding to cover potential legal and other cost in respect of large applications.

Elections – to provide funding for the future costs of the four yearly Borough Council elections.

Operating Reserves

Planning – to provide funding for one off revenue costs of the planning service, for example, legal costs, specialist advice and consultancy.

Leisure Centre Maintenance – to support any emerging enhancement requirements which are over and above in-year maintenance provision.

Vehicle Replacement Reserve – to support the replacement of the Council’s vehicle fleet to ensure services remain efficient and to support costs of replacement with potential new technology.

5. Other Operating Expenditure

The composition of the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is detailed below:

Other Operating Expenditure

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
2,270	Parish Council Precepts	2,320
283	Internal Drainage Board Levies	302
4,647	Expenditure on Covid Grants*	1,270
(3,988)	(Gain) or Loss on the disposal of non-current assets	(3,965)
3,212	Total	(73)

*Expenditure on Covid grants relates to grants made in respect of Discretionary Grants, Additional Restrictions Grants (ARG) and Local Restrictions Grants. These are funded by additional grant receipts included in Note 7 (Taxation and Non- Specific Grants) and in Note 27 (Grant Income)

6. Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure

The composition of the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is detailed below:

Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
9	Interest payable and similar charges	15
1,119	Net Interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset)	1,253
(1,143)	Movement in the value of property/diversified income	(173)
(690)	Interest receivable and similar income	(677)
(215)	Income, expenditure and changes in the fair values of investment properties	(1,221)
(920)	Total	(803)

 

7. Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income and Expenditure

The composition of the Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is detailed below. In 2021/22 additional reliefs were awarded to retail, hospitality and nursery sector, and more recently Covid Additional Relief Fund (CARF) due to Covid-19.  This has resulted in a significant deficit in the collection fund however these additional reliefs were compensated for by way of S31 Grants paid by Government which will be appropriated to the Collection Fund Reserve to be released in later years (see note 4).Non-Ringfenced grants line shows an additional £1.9m for Covid Grants. This is partially offset by expenditure on Covid Grants shown in Note 5. 

Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income and Expenditure

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
(9,261)	Council Tax income	(9,514)
-	Business Rates income	-
(3,136)	- NDR Income	(3,550)
5,769	- Collection Fund Deficit	3,183
(5,719)	- S31 Grants for NDR	(3,758)
(962)	Capital Grants and Contributions (Note 27)	(4,305)
(2,311)	New Homes Bonus	(1,633)
-	Non-ring-fenced government grants (Note 27)	-
(7,206)	- Covid-19 Grants	(1,874)
(184)	- Other Non Specific Grant	(465)
(23,010)	Total	(21,916)

 

8. Property, Plant and Equipment

Movements on Balances 2021/2022

Property, plant and equipment - movement on balances 2021-22

Description of Movement	Other Land & Buildings	Vehicles Plant Furniture & Equipment	Infrastructure Assets	Community Assets	Surplus Assets	Assets Under Construction	Total
Cost or Valuation	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
At 1 April 2021	33,731	7,220	5,890	329	30	5,115	52,315
Additions/Asset Merge	352	1,055	1,321	0	0	11,842	14,570
Transfers	0	0	117	0	0	(1,972)	(1,855)
Revaluation (+/-) recognised in the Revaluation Reserve	1,072	0	0	0	0	0	1,072
Revaluation (+/-) recognised in the Surplus/Deficit on Provision of Services	3	0	0	0	0	0	3
Derecognition - Disposals	(372)	(654)	(160)	0	(30)	0	(1,216)
At 31 March 2022	34,786	7,621	7,168	329	0	14,985	64,889
Accumulated Depreciation or Impairment	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
At 1 April 2021	(63)	(4,846)	(1,651)	0	(30)	0	(6,590)
Depreciation charge	(743)	(664)	(234)	0	0	0	(641)
Depreciation Transfer	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Depreciation written out to the Revaluation Reserve	624	0	0	0	0	0	624
Depreciation written out to the Surplus/Deficit on Provision of Services	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Derecognition - Disposals	0	611	27	0	30	0	668
At 31 March 2022	(182)	(4,899)	(1,858)	0	0	0	(6,939)
Net Book Value at 31 March 2022	34,604	2,722	5,310	329	0	14,985	47,950
Net Book Value at 31 March 2021	33,668	2,374	4,239	329	0	5,115	45,725

 

Movements on Balances 2020/2021

Property, plant and equipment - movement on balances 2020-21

Description of Movement	Other Land & Buildings	Vehicles Plant Furniture & Equipment	Infrastructure Assets	Community Assets	Surplus Assets	Assets Under Construction	Total
Cost or Valuation	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
At 1 April 2020	33,977	7,308	5,709	329	4,585	2,326	54,234
Additions/Asset Merge	389	457	179	0	0	2,801	3,826
Transfers	0	(166)	2	0	(4,555)	(12)	(4,731)
Revaluation (+/-) recognised in the Revaluation Reserve	(67)	0	0	0	0	0	(67)
Revaluation (+/-) recognised in the Surplus/Deficit on Provision of Services	(271)	0	0	0	0	0	(271)
Derecognition - Disposals	(297)	(379)	0	0	0	0	(676)
At 31 March 2021	33,731	7,220	5,890	329	30	5,115	52,315
Accumulated Depreciation or Impairment	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
At 1 April 2020	(144)	(4,793)	(1,419)	0	0	0	(6,356)
Depreciation charge	(706)	(605)	(232)	0	0	0	(1,543)
Depreciation transfer	0	175	0	0	(30)	0	145
Depreciation written out to the Revaluation Reserve	787	0	0	0	0	0	787
Depreciation written out to the Surplus/Deficit on Provision of Services	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Derecognition - Disposals	0	377	0	0	0	0	377
At 31 March 2020	(63)	(4,846)	(1,651)	0	(30)	0	(6,590)
Net Book Value at 31 March 2021	33,668	2,374	4,239	329	0	5,115	45,725
Net Book Value at 31 March 2020	33,833	2,515	4,290	329	4,585	2,326	47,878

 

Depreciation

The following useful lives and depreciation rates have been used in the calculation of depreciation:

• Buildings 5-100 years
• Vehicles, Plant, Furniture and Equipment 3-30 years
• Infrastructure 3-50 years

Capital Commitments

At 31 March 2022, the Council was committed to works totalling £13.9m for the acquisition, construction, and enhancement of Property and grants to third parties in 2022/23. Significant items of contract and other costs comprise:

• Bingham Leisure Hub £6.583m,
• The Crematorium £5.973m,
• Gresham Pitches £1.2m,
• Approved Disabled Facilities Grants £0.523m, and
• Local Authority Delivery phase 2 (LAD2) Green Energy Grants £0.407m.

Revaluations

In accordance with the Code of Practice, the Council carries out a rolling programme that ensures that all Property, Plant and Equipment required to be measured at fair value are re-valued at least every three years. The Council, as a consequence, will be revaluing a third of its Land and Buildings portfolio every year. Assets with a value greater than £1 million are revalued annually.

Valuations of land and buildings were carried out in accordance with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Valuation Standards (Red Book) 9^th Edition. Every fair value valuation was carried out using the assumptions as set out in the Red Book. Where assumptions additional to those which are set out in the Red Book have been made these are stated on the relevant valuation certificates. Mr Nick Berry Senior Property Estates Surveyor is responsible for revaluation of property assets, signed off by the Council’s Director – Development and Economic Growth, Leanne Ashmore MRICS. An impairment review is carried out annually on the Land and Buildings portfolio.

Valuations of vehicles, plant, furniture and equipment are based on depreciated historic cost as a proxy for current prices. These assets short depreciable lives.

All valuations were carried out internally. The following table shows the progress of the Council’s three-year rolling programme for the revaluation of fixed assets. These figures are shown at gross book value.

Revaluations of assets

Description	Other Land & Buildings £'000	Vehicles Plant Furniture & Equipment £'000	Infrastructure Assets £'000	Community Assets £'000	Assets Under Construction £'000	Total Property, Plant & Equipment £'000
Carried at Historical Cost	171	7,621	7,168	329	14,985	30,274
Valued at fair value as at:	-	-	-	-	-	-
31 March 2020	1,561	0	0	0	0	1,561
31 March 2021	3,148	0	0	0	0	3,148
31 March 2022	29,906	0	0	0	0	29,906
Total Cost of Valuation	34,786	7,621	7,168	329	14,985	64,889

 

9. Investment Properties

The following items have been accounted for in the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

Investment Properties - gain or loss

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
1,542	Rental Income from Investment Property	1,689
(251)	Direct Operating Expenses arising from Investment Property	(292)
1,291	Net Gain / (Loss)	1,397

There are no restrictions on the Council’s ability to realise the value inherent in its investment property or on the Council’s rights to the remittance of income and the proceeds of disposal.

The Council has no contractual obligations to repair, maintain or enhance investment properties.

The following table summarises the movement in the fair value of investment properties during 2021/22 and 2020/21.

Movement in fair value of investment properties

Description	2020/21 £'000	2021/22 £'000
Balance at the start of the year	25,772	29,127
Additions - Acquisitions (Purchase and Construction)	0	0
Enhancements	4,624	78
Disposals	0	0
Net Gains/(Losses) from fair value adjustments	(1,269)	(307)
Write back depreciation/impairment on revaluations	0	0
Transfers to/from Property, Plant and Equipment	0	1,855
Total	29,127	30,753

All of the Council’s Investment Properties are treated as operating leases.

Valuations of Investment Properties are carried out annually in accordance with the Code of Practice and with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Valuation Standards (Red Book) 9th Edition. Every Fair Value valuation was carried out using the assumptions as set out in the Red Book. A Market Valuation technique has been used for all Investment Properties and they are all based on the level 2 input hierarchy. This means that values have been arrived at using evidence (other than quoted prices) in an active market and that this evidence is directly or indirectly observable. The inputs used include the following market analyses: rents, yields, lease terms, research on farmland values, and other market evidence and comparative data. Where assumptions additional to those which are set out in the Red Book have been made, these are stated on the relevant valuation certificates. Nick Berry, the Senior Property Surveyor completed the valuation exercise and this was subsequently reviewed and signed off by the Director – Development and Economic Growth: Leanne Ashmore MRICS. An impairment review is carried out annually on the Investment Property portfolio.

10. Intangible Assets

The Council accounts for its software as intangible assets. All software is given a finite useful life, based on assessments of the period that the software is expected to be of use.

The useful lives assigned to the major software suites used by the Council are three years.

The carrying amount of intangible assets is amortised on a straight-line basis. The amortisation of £0.061m in 2021/22 (£0.083m in 2020/21) was charged to the Information Technology cost centre within Finance and Corporate service area.

Movements on Intangible Fixed Assets

Movement on intangible fixed assets

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
-	Balance at start of the year	-
397	Gross carrying amount	350
(246)	Accumulated amortisation	(224)
151	Net carrying amount at start of year	126
58	Purchases	62
(104)	Disposals	(8)
-	Amortisation	-
(83)	Amortisation for the period	(61)
104	Amortisation on disposals	8
126	Net carrying amount at end of year	127
-	Comprising	-
350	Gross carrying amounts	404
(224)	Accumulated amortisation	(277)
126	Balance Sheet amount at 31 March	127

 

11. Assets Held for Sale

In accordance with IFRS 5, Property, Plant, and Equipment (PPE) assets held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying amount and fair value less costs to sell.

Assets held for sale

Description	2020/21 £'000	2021/22 £'000
Balance at the start of the year	0	4,586
Property, Plant and Equipment	4,586	0
Assets Sold	0	(4,586)
Balance at the end of the year	4,586	0

Sale proceeds in 2021/22 are £4.8m of which, £1.2m has been deferred to 2022/23.

CIPFA code of Practice specifies that Investment Properties, which meet the classification criteria for assets held for sale, must continue to be accounted for as Investment Property and these are held at Fair Value. The Council has not elected to have a separate category within Investment Property for sale assets. At the Balance Sheet date, the Council held one Investment property (Land at Hollygate Lane) for sale (agreed subject to contract). Estimated sale proceeds for this asset are £7.2m in 2022/23.

 

12. Financial Instruments

Financial instruments

Long Term 31 March 2021 £’000	Current 31 March 2021 £’000	Description	Long Term 31 March 2022 £’000	Current 31 March 2022 £’000
-	-	Investments	-	-
-	34,401	Loans and Receivables	-	52,872
2,056	-	CCLA Property	2,417	-
1,929	-	CCLA Diversified	2,018	-
1,006	-	Enhanced Cash Plus	991	-
3,989	-	Aegon	4,976	-
4,070	-	Ninety-One	4,820	-
13,050	34,401	Total Investments	15,222	52,872
-	-	Debtors	-	-
2,570	3,769	Loans and Receivables	2,240	4,150
2,570	3,769	Total Debtors	2,240	4,150
-	-	Borrowings	-	-
0	0	Financial Liabilities at Amortised Cost	0	0
0	0	Total Borrowing	0	0
-	-	Creditors	-	-
22,340	17,402	Financial Liabilities at Amortised Cost	35,395	18,202
22,340	17,402	Total Creditors	35,395	18,202

 

Valuation Assumptions

Investments held at 31 March 2022 amounted to £67.785m, consisting of £13m of fixed term investments where the instrument carries the same interest rate for the whole term, £39.563m of deposits in the Money Market and Call Account funds where, in general, the rate only alters with movements in the Bank rate, and £15.222m in funds valued at bid price for the shares which the Council holds. No formal calculation of the effective interest rate (EIR) is necessary, and the carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of the fair value.

Debtors and creditors, both of which are instruments of short duration, with no formal EIR are at fair value.

An assessment has been made whether any impairment write-down or provisions previously made need to be reversed, or if any new ones need to be made. A full review of bad debt provisions has been completed and appropriate adjustments to the provisions have been made on the age analysis of debtors involved.

13. Debtors

Debtors

Short Term 2020/21 £’000	Long Term 2020/21 £’000	Description	Short Term 2021/22 £’000	Long Term 2021/22 £’000
965	0	Trade	4,586	0
253	0	Prepayment	512	0
6,571	2,570	Other	4,289	2,240
7,789	2,570	Total Debtors	9,387	2,240

 

14. Debtors for Local Taxation

The past due but not impaired amount for local taxation (council tax and non-domestic rates) within the total debtors figure is analysed below:

Debtors for local taxation

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
419	Council Tax	504
279	Non-Domestic Rates	311
698	Total Debtors for Local Taxation	815

 

15. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
1	Cash held by the Council	1
322	Bank current accounts	308
19,078	Short term deposits	39,563
19,401	Total Cash & Cash Equivalents	39,872

 

16. Creditors

Creditors

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
(4,970)	Trade	(6,356)
(12,432)	Other	(18,716)
(17,402)	Total	(25,072)

 

17. Provisions

Provisions

Description	Leaseholder Deposits £'000	NDR Appeals £'000	Streetwise Pension £'000	Total £'000
Balance at 1 April 2021	(92)	(3,508)	(955)	(4,555)
Additional provisions made in year	(24)	(1,298)	0	(1,322)
Amount utilised/reduction in year	7	2,164	0	2,171
Amount transferred to major preceptors in year	0	779	0	779
Balance at 31 March 2022	(109)	(1,863)	(955)	(2,927)

NDR Appeals

This provision sets aside sums for the Council’s element of anticipated appeals that may arise in respect of Business Rates. The full liability is expected to be approximately £4.66 million, but the difference is to be met by major preceptors - Central Government (50%), Notts County Council (9%) and Fire Authority (1%).

18. Usable Reserves

Movements in the Council’s usable reserves are detailed in the Movement in Reserves Statement (MIRS).

19. Unusable Reserves

Unusable reserves

Balance at 1 April 2021 £'000	Description	Balance at 1 March 2022 £'000
17,755	Revaluation Reserve	14,918
58,294	Capital Adjustment Account	68,763
(66,014)	Pension Reserve	(58,930)
14	Deferred Capital Receipts	1,210
(5,931)	Collection Fund Adjustment Account	(5,080)
(54)	Accumulated Absences Account	(54)
50	Pooled Funds Adjustment Account	223
4,114	-	19,684

 

Revaluation Reserve

The Revaluation Reserve contains the gains made by the Council arising from increases in the value of its Property, Plant and Equipment (and Intangible Assets). The balance is reduced when assets with accumulated gains are:

• revalued downwards or impaired and the gains are lost;
• used in the provision of services and the gains are consumed through depreciation; or
• disposed of and the gains are realised.

The Reserve contains only revaluation gains accumulated since 1 April 2007, the date that the Reserve was created. Accumulated gains arising before that date are consolidated into the balance on the Capital Adjustment Account.

Revaluation reserve

Balance at 1 April 2021 £'000	Description	Balance at 31 March 2022 £'000
17,220	Balance at 1 April	17,755
2,211	Upward revaluation of assets	1,811
(1,490)	Downward revaluation of assets and impairment losses not charged to the Surplus/Deficit on the Provision of Services	(115)
17,941	Surplus or deficit on revaluation of non-current assets not posted to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services	19,451
(186)	Difference between fair value depreciation and historical cost depreciation	(221)
0	Accumulated gains on assets sold or scrapped	(4,520)
(186)	Amount written off to the Capital Adjustment Account	(4,520)
17,755	Balance at 31 March	14,918

Capital Adjustment Account

The Capital Adjustment Account absorbs the timing differences arising from the different arrangements for accounting for the consumption of non-current assets and for financing the acquisition, construction or enhancement of those assets under statutory provisions. The Account is debited with the cost of acquisition, construction or enhancement as depreciation, impairment losses and amortisations are charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (with postings from the Revaluation Reserve to convert fair values to a historical cost basis). The Account is credited with the amounts set aside by the Council as finance for the costs of acquisition, construction and enhancement.

The Account contains accumulated gains and losses on Investment Properties that have yet to be consumed by the Council.

The Account also contains revaluation gains accumulated on Property, Plant and Equipment before 1 April 2007, the date the Revaluation Reserve was created to hold such gains.

Capital adjustment account

Balance at 1 April 2021 £'000	Description	Balance at 31 March 2022 £'000
52,184	Balance at 1 April	58,294
-	Reversal of items relating to capital expenditure debited or credited to the CIES	-
(1,546)	Charges for depreciation and impairment of non-current assets	(1,644)
(271)	Revaluation losses on Property, Plant and Equipment	4
(83)	Amortisation of intangible assets	(61)
(648)	Revenue expenditure funded from capital under statute (net of Grants and Contributions)	(1,541)
(299)	Amounts of non-current assets written off on disposal or sale as part of the gain/loss on disposal to the CIES	(5,133)
186	Adjusting amounts written out of the Revaluation Reserve	4,533
(266)	Write down Long-term Debtors	(232)
(2,927)	Net written out amount of the cost of non-current assets consumed in the year	(4,074)
-	Capital financing applied in the year	-
7,600	Use of Capital Receipts to finance new capital expenditure	7,787
1,441	Capital grants and contributions credited to the CIES that have been applied to capital financing	5,543
116	Application of grants to capital financing from the Capital Grants Unapplied Account	204
1,000	Statutory provision for the financing of capital investment charged against the General Fund	1,074
149	Capital expenditure charged against the General Fund	242
10,306	-	14,850
(1,269)	Movements in the market value of Investment Properties debited or credited to the CIES	(307)
0	Movement in the Donated Assets Account credited to the CIES	0
(1,269)	-	(307)
58,294	Balance at 31 March	68,763

 

Pensions Reserve

The Pensions Reserve absorbs the timing differences arising from the different arrangements for accounting for post-employment benefits and for funding benefits in accordance with statutory provisions. The Council accounts for post-employment benefits in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as the benefits are earned by employees accruing years of service, updating the liabilities recognised to reflect inflation, changing assumptions and investment returns on any resources set aside to meet the costs. However, statutory arrangements require benefits earned to be financed as the Council makes employer’s contributions to pension funds or eventually pays any pensions for which it is directly responsible. General Fund balance to be charged with the amount payable by the Council to the pension fund in the year. The debit balance on the Pensions Reserve therefore shows a substantial shortfall in the benefits earned by past and current employees and the resources the Council has set aside to meet them. The statutory arrangements will ensure that funding will have been set aside by the time the benefits come to be paid.

Pensions reserve

Balance at 1 April 2021 £'000	Description	Balance at 31 March 2022 £'000
(51,330)	Balance at 1 April	(66,014)
(372)	Streetwise Environmental Prior Year TUPE Settlement	0
(13,064)	Remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability/(asset)	9,567
(3,430)	Reversal of items relating to retirement benefits debited or credited to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services in the CIES	(4,772)
2,182	Employer’s pensions contributions and direct payments to pensioners payable in the year	2,289
(66,014)	Balance at 31 March	(58,930)

Deferred Capital Receipts Reserve

This reserve holds the gains recognised on the disposal of non-current assets but for which cash settlement has yet to take place. Under statutory arrangements, the Council does not treat these gains as usable for financing new capital expenditure until they are backed by capital receipts. When the deferred cash settlement eventually takes place, amounts are transferred to the Capital Receipts Reserve.

Deferred capital receipts reserve

Balance at 31 March 2021 £'000	Description	Balance at 1 April 2022 £'000
19	Balance at 1 April	15
0	Transfer to the CIES deferred sale proceeds	1,200
(4)	Transfer to the Capital Receipts Reserve on receipt of cash	(5)
-	Transfer to the CIES deferred sale proceeds	(4,068)
15	Balance at 31 March	1,210

Collection Fund Adjustment Account

The Collection Fund Adjustment Account manages the differences arising between the recognition of council tax income in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as it falls due from council taxpayers compared with the statutory arrangements for paying across amounts to the General Fund from the Collection Fund. There was a significant increase in 2020/21 due to the increase in the deficit arising from additional reliefs awarded. As the position has not moved significantly between the position estimated in January 2021 and the position at 31 March 2022 the movement is relatively small.

Collection Fund Adjustment Account

Balance at 1 April 2021 £'000	Description	Balance at 31 March 2022 £'000
84	Balance at 1 April	(5,931)
(6,015)	Amount by which council tax and non-domestic rates income (130) credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is different from council tax and non-domestic rates income calculated for the year in accordance with statutory requirements	851
(5,931)	-	(5,080)

Accumulated Absences Account

The Accumulated Absences Account absorbs differences that would otherwise arise on the General Fund Balance from accruing for compensated absences earned but not taken in the year, for example, annual leave entitlement carried forward at 31 March. Statutory arrangements require that the impact on the General Fund Balance is neutralised by transfers to/from the Account. The differences in amounts accrued are not deemed to be material and therefore no transactions have been made in 2021/22.

Accumulated Absences Account

Balance at 1 April 2021 £'000	Description	Balance at 31 March 2022 £'000
(54)	Balance at 1 April	(54)
(54)	Balance at 31March	(54)

Pooled Funds Adjustment Account

The Pooled Funds Adjustment Account contains the gains made by the Council arising from increases in the value of its investments that are measured at fair value through Profit and Loss. The balance is reduced when investments with accumulated gains are:

• revalued downwards or impaired and the gains are lost
• disposed of and the gains are realised.

The Council holds £15.222m of pooled investments. The Council is using the temporary statutory override agreed by DLUHC (5 years commencing from April 2018) to account for any changes in the fair value on its pooled investments. The statutory override is due to end 31 March 2023 and it is not known at this stage whether it will be made permanent.

Pooled Funds Adjustment Account

Balance at 1 April 2021 £'000	Description	Balance at 31 March 2022 £'000
(1,093)	Balance at 1 April	50
1,158	Upward Revaluation of Investments	450
(15)	Downward Revaluation of Investments	(277)
0	Change in Impairment Loss Allowances	0
50	Total	223
0	Accumulated gains or losses on assets sold and maturing assets written out to the CIES as part of Other Investment Income	0
50	Balance at 31 March	223

 

20. Cashflow Statement – Operating Activities

Cashflow statement - operating activities

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
(5,791)	Net (Surplus) or Deficit on the Provision of Services	(7,010)
-	Adjust for Non-Cash Movements	-
(1,546)	Depreciation	(1,644)
(271)	Impairment and downward valuations	5
(83)	Amortisation	(61)
(99)	(Increase)/decrease in impairment for bad debts	(3)
(10,763)	Increase/(decrease) in creditors	(6,267)
(410)	Increase/(decrease) in debtors	(104)
(1)	Increase/(decrease) in inventories	0
587	Movement in pension liability	(3,400)
(299)	Carrying amount of non-current assets and non-current assets held for sale, sold or derecognised	(5,134)
(2,605)	Movement in Provisions	1,628
246	Other non-cash items charged to the net surplus or deficit on the provision of services	(133)
(15,244)	Net surplus/(deficit) on provision of services for non-cash movements	(15,113)
-	Adjust Net Surplus or Deficit for items that are Investing or Financing Activities	-
0	Proceeds from short term and long term investments	0
260	Capital Grants credited to the Surplus/Deficit on Provision of Services	0
4,285	Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment, investment property and intangible assets	9,081
4,545	Net surplus/(deficit) on provision of services for Investing & Financing activities	9,081
(16,490)	Net Cashflows from Operating Activities	(13,042)

 

The cash flows for operating activities include the following items:

Cash flow - interest and dividends

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
(132)	Interest received	(200)
(489)	Dividends received	(531)
(621)	Total	(731)

 

21. Cashflow Statement – Investing Activities

Cashflow statement - investing activities

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
8,125	Purchase of property, plant and equipment, investment property and intangible assets	13,576
15,000	Purchase of short-term and long- term investments	20,000
721	Other payments for investing activities	4,404
(4,196)	Proceeds from sale of property, plant equipment, investment property and intangible assets	(7,293)
(15,000)	Proceeds from short-term and long-term investments	(20,000)
(5,578)	Capital Grants Received (Government)	(17,454)
(2,455)	Other receipts from investing activities	(245)
(3,383)	Net cash flow from investing activities	(7,012)

 

22. Cashflow Statement – Financing Activities

Cashflow statement - financing activities

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
0	Repayments of short and long-term borrowing	0
5,634	Other payments for financing activities	(417)
5,634	Net cash flow from Financing activities	(417)

 

23. Members’ Allowances

The Council paid the following amounts to members of the Council during the year:

Members' allowances

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
254	Basic Allowances	262
83	Special Responsibility Allowances	80
1	Other Expenses	2
338	Total Expenditure	344

 

24. Officers’ Remuneration

The remuneration paid to the Council’s senior employees is as follows:

Officers' remuneration - senior staff

Post Title	Year	Salary Fees & Allowances £	Compensation for loss of office £	Pension Contribution £	Total   £
Chief Executive	2021/22	115,122	0	20,243	135,365
Chief Executive	2020/21	113,316	0	19,944	133,260
Deputy CEO and Director - Finance & Corporate Services	2021/22	93,299	0	16,412	109,710
Deputy CEO and Director - Finance & Corporate Services	2020/21	90,705	0	15,964	106,669
Deputy CEO and Director - Neighbourhoods	2021/22	90,468	0	15,964	106,379
Deputy CEO and Director - Neighbourhoods	2020/21	87,906	0	15,471	103,377
Director - Communities*	2021/22	4,514	0	430	4,944
Director - Communities	2020/21	87,906	0	15,471	103,377
Director - Growth & Economic Development	2021/22	86,853	0	15,286	102,139
Director - Growth & Economic Development	2020/21	85,569	0	15,060	100,629
Service Manager - Executive Department (role includes Borough Solicitor and Monitoring Officer duties)	2021/22	64,824	0	11,409	76,233
Service Manager - Executive Department (role includes Borough Solicitor and Monitoring Officer duties)	2020/21	65,887	0	11,584	77,471

*Please note, due to a restructuring of the executive management team this post was removed.

 

The Council’s other employees receiving more than £50,000 remuneration for the year (Excluding Pension Costs) are as follows:

Officers' remuneration - other employees over £50,000

Number of Employees 2020/21	Remuneration Band	Number of Employees 2021/22
3	£50,000 - £54,999	3
1	£55,000 - £59,999	0
3	£60,000 - £84,999	7

The increase in the number of employees in the £60,000 to £84,999 bracket was due to a restructure where a Director post was removed and three posts regraded to Service Manager.

 

25. Exit Packages and Termination Benefits

The number of exit packages with total cost per band and total cost of the compulsory and other redundancies for 2019/20 are set out in the table below. 

Exit packages and termination benefits

Exit Package Cost Band	Number of Compulsory Redundancies	Number of Other Departures Agreed	Total Exit Packages Number	Total Exit Packages £’000
£80,001 - £100,000	0	1	1	93
Total	0	1	1	93

The Council terminated no contracts in 2020/21.

 

26. External Audit Costs

The Council has incurred the following costs in relation to the certification of grant claims (by KPMG) and the audit of the Statement of Accounts (by the Council’s external auditors, Mazars) and any other statutory inspections.

External audit costs

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
44	Fees payable with regard to external audit services carried out by the appointed auditor (Mazars)*	52
2	Fees payable in respect of other services provided during the year (Cabinet Office)	0
8	Fees payable for the certification of grant claims and returns (KPMG)	8
54	Total	60

 * Includes £20,499 in relation to additional fees for the 2020/21 audit.

 

27. Grant Income

The Council credited the following capital grants, contributions and donations to the Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income line (Note 7) in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement in 2020/21 and 2021/22.

Grant income

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
0	Section 106 contributions and Football Foundation Grant - Gresham Pitches	1,218
0	Salix Energy Grants	101
38	Skatepark Grants	72
924	LEP Grants - Bingham Hub & Leisure Centre	0
0	Section 106 contributions - Bingham Hub & Leisure Centre	2,000
0	ERDF Bingham Offices	914
962	Total Capital Grants	4,305
7,206	COVID Grants	1,874
184	Other non-ringfenced grants (Note 7)	465
8,352	Total	6,644

* Grant income offsetting expenditure on Covid Grants shown in Note 6.

 

The following grants, above £50,000, were credited to services.

Grants above £50,000

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
112	DLUHC - NDR Cost of Collection	113
55	DEFRA - Flood Relief	0
212	National Leisure Recovery Fund	0
13,566	DWP - Housing Benefit Subsidy and Council Tax Rebates	12,594
168	DWP - Housing Benefit Administration	155
73	DWP - Council Tax Administration	79
125	DLUHC - Homelessness Support Grant	232
699	DLUHC - Disabled Facilities Grant (REFCUS )	695
0	DLUHC - Local Authority Delivery Green Energy Grants	228
515	DLUHC - Covid Hardship Funding	0
76	DLUHC - Covid Track & Trace	51
56	DLUHC - High Streets Safely	140
0	Section 106 Affordable Housing	301
161	COMF Contain Funding	102
15,818	Total	14,690

 

The Council received grants, contributions and donations not yet recognised as income as they have conditions attached to them that will require the monies or property to be returned if the conditions are not met. The balances at year end are as follows:

Grants received

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
21,849	S106 Planning Agreements	33,605
379	CIL Planning Agreements	1,779
-	Other Grants	-
102	Salix Energy Efficiency	1
-	Other Receipts	-
10	Sale Deposit (Hollygate Lane)	10
22,340	Total	35,395

The Council received the following revenue grants receipts in advance.

Revenue grant receipts

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
81	COMF Contain Funding	0
0	Council Tax Energy Rebate Discretionary Funding	131
0	Track & Trace Discretionary Funding	39
0	Local Authority Delivery Grant 2	26
81	Total	196

 

28. Related Parties

The Council is required to disclose material transactions with related parties, bodies or individuals that have the potential to control or influence the Council or to be controlled or influenced by the Council. Disclosure of these transactions allows readers to assess the extent to which the Council might have been constrained in its ability to operate independently or might have secured the ability to limit another party’s ability to bargain freely with the Council.

Central Government

Central Government has significant influence over the general operations of the Council. It is responsible for providing the statutory framework within which the Council operates, provides funding in the form of grants and prescribes the terms of many of the transactions that the Council has with other parties (eg council tax bills, housing benefits). Grant receipts above £50,000 are shown in Note 27 above.

Members

Members of the Council have direct control over the Council’s financial and operating policies. The total members allowances paid in 2020/21 are shown in Note 23. The Members could potentially have a material related party transaction with the Council. During 2021/22 the Council, in accordance with the National Code of Local Government Conduct, maintained a register of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interest disclosed by members. This register has been reviewed and was found to contain nothing that would suggest a material related party transaction occurred.

Officers

Similarly, a register for officers’ outside interests and hospitality is also maintained. Again, this has been reviewed and found to contain no entry that would suggest a material related party transaction.

Other Public Bodies

The Council has determined that material transactions have occurred in 2021/22 with the following parties and most transactions with related parties are disclosed elsewhere in the Statement of Accounts, as follows:

Joint Use arrangements with Nottinghamshire County Council.

Parish Precepts of £2.320m and Internal Drainage Board levies of £0.302m are disclosed in Note 6 to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

Other local authorities, central government, the Nottinghamshire Police Authority and Nottinghamshire Fire Authority – disclosed in Note 3 and Note 5 to the Collection Fund Income and Expenditure Account.

Central Government – disclosed in all of the appropriate statements and notes.

Pensions Fund – administered by Nottinghamshire County Council (note 32).

Entities Controlled or Significantly Influenced by the Council

The Council controls Rushcliffe Enterprises LTD (REL) through its ownership and 100% shares in the company. REL is a holding company for the Council and incorporates Streetwise Environmental LTD and Streetwise Environmental Trading Ltd. At Cabinet in January 2021, it was agreed to wind-up REL (due to a lack of trading activity) and keep it as a dormant company so there is flexibility in the future if a company is required.

The Council purchased street cleansing and grounds maintenance services from the company in 2021/22 to the value of £1.86m. Loan amounts outstanding from RBC to Streetwise as at 31.03.22 stood at £0.3m. At Cabinet March 2022 it was resolved that Streetwise grounds maintenance and street cleansing services would be brought back in house from 1 September 2022 and loans are now expected to be fully repaid at this date.

29. Capital Expenditure and Capital Financing

The total amount of capital expenditure incurred in the year is shown below (including the value of assets acquired under finance leases), together with the resources that have been used to finance it. Where capital expenditure is to be financed in future years by charges to revenue as assets are used by the Council, the expenditure results in an increase in the Capital Financing Requirement, a measure of the capital expenditure incurred historically by the Council that has yet to be financed. 

Capital expenditure and capital financing

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
7,300	Opening Capital Financing Requirement	6,300
-	2021/22 Adjustment*	(443)
-	Restated Capital Financing Requirement	5,857
-	Capital Investment	-
3,826	Property, Plant & Equipment	14,570
0	Heritage Assets	25
4,624	Investment Properties	78
58	Intangible Assets	62
150	Long Term Debtors	0
648	Revenue Expenditure Funded from Capital Under Statute	1,541
-	Sources of Finance	-
(7,600)	Capital Receipts	(7,787)
(1,557)	Government Grants & Other Contributions	(5,747)
(149)	Direct Revenue Contributions	(242)
(1,000)	Minimum Revenue Provision	(1,074)
6,300	Closing Capital Financing Requirement	7,283
(1,000)	Explanation of movements in year Increase/(decrease) in the underlying need to borrow (unsupported by Government financial assistance)	1,426

* Opening Capital Financing Reserve adjusted to align with Balance Sheet Formula Calculation.

 

30. Leases

Council as a Lessor

Finance Leases

The Council leases out land for investment purposes generating income of £0.04m per annum. The Council recognises that this arrangement is a finance lease however it was entered into prior to 31 March 2011 as an operating lease. In accordance with its accounting policies (Note 36 xv) the Council continues to charge the income to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

Operating Leases

The Council leases out property under operating leases for investment purposes: rental income or capital appreciation.

The minimum lease payments receivable under non-cancellable leases are:

Operating leases

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
1,589	Not later than one year	1,583
5,030	Later than one year and not later than five years	5,146
3,860	Later than five years	3,447
10,479	Total	10,176

Council as a Lessee

The Council previously entered in to two new agreements as lessee in as part of its Transformation Plan and to support the delivery of efficient services: the transfer to Eastcroft for Waste and Recycling operations and the move to new premises in West Bridgford in order to facilitate continued face to face Rushcliffe Customer Services at a Contact Centre. The latter move was precipitated by the decision to rationalise the asset base of the Police and sell West Bridgford Police Station. Both agreements have been reviewed and concluded to be operating leases. Neither lease exceeds 10 years with the substantive (asset life) risks and rewards of asset ownership remaining with the lessor. The Contact Centre lease will be revisited next year as part of the Authority’s work on IFRS16 which may capture this as a Finance Lease and require restatement. Minimum lease payments payable under non-cancellable leases are:

Council as a lessee

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
178	Not later than one year	178
417	Later than one year and not later than five years	281
120	Later than five years	80
715	Total	539

 

31. Impairment Losses

Paragraph 4.7.4.2(1) of the Code requires disclosure by class of assets of the amounts for impairment losses and reversals charged to the surplus or deficit on the Provision of Services and to Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure. These disclosures are consolidated in Note 8 reconciling the movement over the year in the Property, Plant and Equipment balances.

The impairment review carried out at 31.03.2022 identified no material impairment to any of the Council's assets.

The revaluation exercise for 2021/22 gave rise to a net revaluation gain of £1.699m for operational land and buildings. Of this, £1.696m was charged to the Revaluation Reserve (Note 19); and £3k credited to the CIES to reverse previous downward valuations charged; a small revaluation gain of £2k arises from Heritage Assets and was also credited to the CIES to reverse a previous downward valuation; in addition, a net loss of £0.307m arises from the movement in Fair Value of Investment Property (Note 9).

The main elements of the net sum credited to the Revaluation Reserve comprises £0.5m increase in the value of car parks in West Bridgford rising from improved income streams; £0.7m increase in the value of operational leisure buildings as a result of increases in Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) construction data; and £0.150m increase in Bingham Land as a result of a land price increase.

The main movement in Investment Property fair value is related to a valuation loss upon the completion of Cotgrave Phase II works £0.470m. Works originally  capitalised at cost taking into account wider redevelopment costs: demolition, legal and professional fees, survey costs; and new power connections. Upon completion, the scheme has been split into relevant assets: retail units, new car park, and reconfiguration of the existing car park. This downward valuation has been offset by a small reduction in the value of The Point arising from reduced income from vacancies. The net change in FV of Investment Properties is £0.307m.

There is a very small movement (£4k) in changes in valuation credited to the CIES relating to the reversal of previously charged valuation losses for the Arena Offices and the Art Collection.

32. Defined Benefit Pension Schemes

Participation in Pension Schemes

As part of the terms and conditions of employment of its officers and other employees, the Council offers retirement benefits. Although these benefits will not be payable until employees retire, the Council has the commitment to make the payments that need to be disclosed at the time that employees earn their future entitlement.

The Council participates in two post-employment schemes:

The Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), administered locally by Nottinghamshire County Council is a funded defined benefit scheme and until 31 March 2014 was a final salary scheme. Changes came into effect on 1 April 2014 and any benefits accrued from this date are based on career average re-valued salary, and length of service on retirement, meaning that the Council and employees pay contributions into a fund, calculated at a level intended to balance the pensions liabilities with investment assets.

Arrangements for the award of discretionary post-retirement benefits upon early retirement, is an unfunded defined benefit arrangement, under which liabilities are recognised when awards are made. However, there are no investment assets built up to meet these pensions liabilities, and cash has to be generated to meet actual pensions payments as they fall due.

The results of the 2019 Triennial Valuation identified the repayments required to eliminate the deficit in the fund was £2.753m spread over 3 years. The Council took the option to pre-pay the 3-year deficit (to 31 March 2023) and in doing so saved £0.203m.

The principal risks to the Council of the scheme are:

• Investment risk. The Fund holds investment in asset classes, such as equities, which have volatile market values and while these assets are expected to provide real returns over the long-term, the short-term volatility can cause additional funding to be required if a deficit emerges.
• Interest rate risk. The Fund’s liabilities are assessed using market yields on high quality corporate bonds to discount the liabilities. As the Fund holds assets such as equities the value of the assets and liabilities may not move in the same way.
• Inflation risk. All of the benefits under the Fund are linked to inflation and so deficits may emerge to the extent that the assets are not linked to inflation.
• Longevity risk. In the event that the members live longer than assumed a deficit will emerge in the Fund. There are also other demographic risks.
• Regulatory risk. Regulatory uncertainties could result in benefit changes to past of future benefits which could result in additional costs.
• Orphan Risk. As many unrelated employers participate in each fund, there is an orphan liability risk where employers leave the fund but with insufficient assets to cover their pension obligations so that the difference may fall on the remaining employers in that fund.

These are mitigated to a certain extent by the statutory requirements to charge to the General Fund the amounts required by statute as described in the accounting policies note 36vi.

All of the risks above may also benefit the authority eg higher than expected investment returns or employers leaving the fund with excess assets which eventually get inherited by the remaining employers.

Transactions relating to retirement benefits

The cost of retirement benefits is reported in cost of services when they are earned by employees, rather than when the benefits are eventually paid as pensions. However, the charge made against council tax is based on the cash payable in the year, so the real cost of retirement benefits is reversed out via the Movement in Reserves Statement. The following transactions have been made to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement and the Movement in Reserves Statement during the year:

• The liabilities of the fund are valued using a discount rate based on market yields on high quality corporate bonds and the method used is Single Equivalent Discount Rate (SEDR). Inflation assumptions affect the rate at which benefits increase and therefore the value of future liabilities. The method used to estimate inflation is the Single Equivalent Inflation Rate (SEIR), further adjusted to reflect the expectation that pension increases will be based on CPI. (Consumer Prices Index)
• Asset returns can be very volatile from year to year and will vary by LGPS fund. A typical LGPS fund might have achieved a return of around 7% for the period from 31 March 2021. This is based on a fund investing 75% in equities, 5% in gilts and 20% in corporate bonds. This could vary considerably depending on each fund’s investment strategy.

Re-measurement of net defined benefit liability

The actuarial (gains)/losses on pensions assets/liabilities line in the CIES shows a net reduction in pension liability of £9.567m. The changes in actuarial assumptions are detailed below:

• Return on Plan Assets – the actuary’s estimation of the return on assets for 2021/22 was 7%, a reduction on the 2020/21 estimate of 21.6%. This return has the effect of reducing the pension liability by £4.176m.
• Financial Assumptions – assumed increase in both the future salary and pension increases by the actuary have led to an decrease in liability of £5.712m.
• Other Actuarial gains / losses & experience items have led to a increase in the pension liability of £0.321m

 

Actuarial (gains)/losses on pensions assets/liabilities

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
-	Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement	-
-	Cost of Services	-
2,284	Current Service Cost	3,356
27	Administration Expenses	37
0	Past Service Gain	0
0	Settlements and Curtailments	126
-	Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure	-
1,119	Net Interest Expense	1,253
3,944	Total Post Employment Benefit Charged to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services	3,430
-	Other Post Employment Benefit Charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement	-
-	Remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability comprising:	-
(11,034)	Return on plan assets (excluding the amount included in the net interest expense)	(4,176)
(1,216)	Actuarial (Gains) and Losses arising on changes in demographic assumptions	0
26,720	Actuarial (Gains) and Losses arising on changes in financial assumptions	(5,712)
(1,406)	Other Experience	321
13,064	Total Post Employment Benefit Charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure	(9,567)
-	Movement in Reserves Statement	-
(3,430)	Reversal of net charges made to the Surplus or Deficit for the Provision of Services for post employment benefits in accordance with the Code	(4,772)
-	Actual amount charged against the General Fund for Pensions in the year	-
3,925	Employers contributions payable to scheme	1,282

 

Retired benefits payable

2020/21 £'000	Local Government Pension Scheme	2021/22 £'000
92	Retired benefits payable to pensioners	90

Pensions Assets and Liabilities Recognised in the Balance Sheet

The amount included in the Balance Sheet arising from the Council’s obligation in respect of its defined benefit plan is as follows:

Pensions Assets and Liabilities Recognised in the Balance Sheet

2020/21 £'000	Local Government Pension Scheme	2021/22 £'000
132,961	Present value of the defined benefit obligation	130,199
(69,736)	Fair Value Plan Assets	(73,142)
63,225	Net liability arising from defined benefit obligation	57,057

Reconciliation of the Movements in the Fair Value of Scheme (Plan) Assets

Reconciliation of the Movements in the Fair Value of Scheme (Plan) Assets

2020/21 £'000	Local Government Pension Scheme	2021/22 £'000
56,567	Opening Fair Value of Scheme Assets	69,736
1,366	Interest income	1,374
11,034	The return on plan assets, excluding the amount included in the net interest expense	4,176
4,017	Contributions from employer	1,372
442	Contributions from employees into the scheme	462
(3,663)	Benefits paid	(3,941)
0	Settlements	0
(27)	Other	(37)
69,736	Closing Fair Value of Scheme Assets	73,142

Reconciliation of Present Value of the Scheme Liabilities (Defined Benefit Obligation)

Reconciliation of Present Value of the Scheme Liabilities (Defined Benefit Obligation)

2020/21 £'000	Local Government Pension Scheme	2021/22 £'000
107,315	Opening Balance 1 April	132,961
2,284	Current Service Costs	3,356
2,485	Interest Cost	2,626
442	Contributions by scheme participants	462
-	Remeasurement gains/(loss)	-
(1,216)	Actuarial (Gains) and Losses arising from changes in demographic assumptions	0
26,720	Actuarial (Gains) and Losses arising from changes in financial assumptions	(5,712)
(1,406)	Other experience	321
0	(Gains) and Losses on Settlements / Curtailments	126
(3,571)	Benefits Paid	(3,851)
(92)	Unfunded Pension Payments	(90)
132,961	Closing Balance 31 March	130,199

The Local Government Pension Scheme’s assets consist of the following categories, by proportion on the total assets held:

Local Government Pension Scheme - asset types

2020/21 £'000	Local Government Pension Scheme	2021/22 £'000
45,172	Equities	44,310
2,343	Gilts	2,154
4,780	Other Bonds	4,988
7,124	Property	9,397
10,317	Other	12,293
69,736	Total Assets	73,142

From the information we have received from the administering Authority, we understand that of the Equities allocation above, 38% are UK investments, 62% are overseas investments. All of the equities are listed in a market. Of the Gilts allocation above, 100% are UK fixed interest Gilts. Of the Other Bonds allocation above, 29% are UK corporates, 71% are overseas corporates. 100% of the Property and Cash allocation is unquoted.

Other allocations include Private Equity, Infrastructure, Unit Trust, Inflation Linked and Cash/Temporary Investments.

Basis for Estimating Assets & Liabilities

Liabilities have been assessed on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method, an estimate of the pensions that will be payable in future years that is dependent on assumptions about mortality rates, salary levels, etc. Both the LGPS and Discretionary Benefits liabilities have been assessed by Barnett Waddingham, an independent firm of actuaries, estimates for the fund being based on the latest full valuation of the scheme as at 31 March 2019.

The principal assumptions used by the actuary have been:

Assets and liabilities - assumptions

2020/21	Local Government Pension Scheme	2021/22
-	Mortality Assumptions	-
-	Longevity at 65 for current pensioners	-
21.6	Men	21.6
24.3	Women	24.3
-	Longevity at 65 for future pensioners	-
22.9	Men	23.0
25.7	Women	25.8
3.80%	Rate of Increase in Salaries (Per Annum)	4.20%
2.80%	Rate of Increase in Pensions (Per Annum)	3.20%
2.00%	Rate for Discounting Scheme Liabilities	2.60%

The estimation of the defined benefit obligations is sensitive to the actuarial assumptions set out in the table above. The sensitivity analyses below have been determined based on reasonably possible changes of the assumptions occurring at the end of the reporting period and assumes for each change that the assumption analysed changes while all other assumptions remain constant. The assumptions in longevity, for example, assume that life expectancy increases or decreases for men and women. In practice, this is unlikely to occur, and changes in some of the assumptions may be interrelated. The estimations in the sensitivity analysis have followed the accounting policies for the scheme, ie on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method. The methods and types of assumptions used in preparing the sensitivity analysis below did not change from those used in the previous period.

Impact on the Defined Benefit Obligation in the Scheme

Defined benefit obligation

Local Government Pension Scheme - Defined Benefit Obligation	Increase in Assumption £'000	Decrease in Assumption £'000
Rate for discounting scheme liabilities (increase or decrease by 0.1%)	(2,444)	2,493
Rate of increase in salaries (increase or decrease by 0.1%)	244	(227)
Rate of increase in pensions (increase or decrease by 0.1%)	2,277	(2,205)
Longevity (increase or decrease in 1 year)	6,461	(6,137)

Impact on the Council’s Cash Flows

The objectives of the scheme are to keep employers' contributions at as constant a rate as possible. There are no minimum funding requirements in the LGPS but the contributions are generally set to target a funding level of 100% using the actuarial valuation assumptions. The employer contribution rate for 2022/23 is 17.6% (2021/22 17.6%). A monetary contribution of £1,021,000 was anticipated from the authority in 2022/23, however Rushcliffe Borough Council has prepaid these contributions for the three years to 31 March 2023 by making a single lump sum payment of £2,753,000, saving the council £203,000 when compared with annual payments. The contribution to be recognised by the authority for 2021/22 is £918,000. This amount is fixed for the 3 year period 2020/21 to 2022/23 due to the prepaid amount which has been spread equally over the 3 years. Funding levels are monitored on an annual basis. The scheme will need to take account of the national changes to the scheme under the Public Pensions Services Act 2013. Under the Act, the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales and the other main existing public service schemes may not provide benefits in relation to service after 31 March 2014 (or service after 31 March 2015 for other main existing public service pension schemes in England and Wales). The Act provides for scheme regulations to be made within a common framework, to establish new career average revalued earnings schemes to pay pensions and other benefits to certain public servants.

The estimated duration of the defined benefit obligation for scheme members is 19 years.

Projected Pension Expense for the Year to 31 March 2023

Projected Pension Expense

Projected Pension Expense	2022/23 £'000
Service cost	3,080
Net interest on the defined liability(asset)	1,466
Administration expenses	36
Total	4,582
Employer contributions	1,271

 

Note: These projections are based on the assumptions as at 31 March 2022, as described earlier in the Barnett Waddington Actuary Report. The figures exclude the capitalised cost of any early retirements or augmentations which may occur after 31 March 2022.

33. Contingent Liabilities

At the 31 March 2022 the Council had one contingent liability requiring disclosure. The Council gave an environmental warranty as part of the housing stock transfer in 2003, both to Rushcliffe Homes – now Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Trust and to their lender, Nationwide Building Society. The former ran for 15 years until 2018 and has now elapsed; the latter was for 32 years and will run until 2035. The value of the liability is unknown and to date there have not been any issues identified.

The Council’s street cleansing company Streetwise Environmental Limited will be brought back in-house during 2022/23. There is a possible contingent liability arising from the pension deficit relating to the existing pension fund held by the company. At this stage the value is not yet known and further detail will become available once the pensions report is received. Our expectation is the transactions with the existence of the pensions fund reserve should ensure there is no bottom-line impact to tax payers in this regard. The 2022/23 accounts will include the relevant transactions.

34. Contingent Assets

At 31 March 2022 the Council has five contingent assets requiring disclosure:

Following the large-scale voluntary transfer of council houses to Metropolitan Housing Trust (formerly Rushcliffe Homes Ltd & Spirita Ltd) the Council is still entitled to preserved right to buy and other clawback receipts. Sums received totalled £228k in respect of 2021/22 disposals (2020/21 £159k). Future receipts will depend on further preserved right to buy sales and it is difficult to predict the amount to be received in any one year.

The Council has identified a contingent asset relating to an overage agreement for Land at Sharphill, Edwalton. The agreement arises from a transfer of a piece of agricultural land to the original seller. The transfer back included a provision giving the Council a percentage of the uplift of the original value of the land in the event of it being sold with the benefit of planning permission. Cabinet (January 2005) approved that the Council would receive 40% of the amount by which the "open market value of the property" exceeds the purchase price (or a relevant proportion of the purchase price where the land is sold in part).

The Cabinet Report (October 2017) explains the extremely complex nature of the overall site. There are ongoing negotiations to protect the Council’s interests to achieve an agreement with the landowner of how the 40% would be calculated. Following lengthy and detailed negotiations, the report details the overall framework for an agreement with the landowner, and based on current values estimates the approximate value the Council can expect as a capital receipt as and when parcels of the land subject to the agreement are sold by the landowner. At 31 March 2022 gross income of £12.2m has been received from this overage agreement. Over time, it is possible that RBC could receive a further £7m bringing a total of £19.2m by way of the overage entitlement. The overage agreement defines the events which could trigger a payment or payments to the Council.

The Council are party to a legal claim for damages and/or other relief in respect of loss and damage suffered as a result of inflated pricing for medium and heavy vehicles (such as waste collection vehicles) between 1997 and 2011. This could have an impact for the Council in that a claim may be due for vehicles that the Council either purchased or leased during those years. The outcome of the claim is as yet unknown however the current estimate for such damages is in the region of £0.2m.

The Council has a contingent asset arising from the disposal of land at Hollygate Lane. The original sale transaction for Phase 1 is due for completion in 2022/23 generating a capital receipt of £7m. The Cabinet report 12 November 2019 sets out: ‘should Phase 2 be delivered in the future, the Council will benefit from an additional payment of £47k per plot which will be subject to index linked inflationary increases (upwards only)’.

In accordance with a S106 agreement for planning permission issued by the Council for Land North of Bingham, the Council are due commuted sums for affordable housing in the event that land receipts to the owner exceed a pre-agreed deminimus level. This was triggered in May 2021 with a commuted sum of £2.387m received by the Council; a further sum of £1.393m was due at 31.03.22(received April 2022). This totals £3.78m.

35. Nature and Extent of Risks Arising from Financial Instruments

The Council’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks:

• Credit Risk – the possibility that other parties might fail to pay amounts due to the Council.
• Liquidity Risk – the possibility that the Council might not have funds available to meet its commitments to make payments.
• Market Risk – the possibility that financial loss might arise for the Council as a result of changes in such measures as interest rates and stock market movements.

The Council’s overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the resources available to fund services. Risk management is carried out by a central treasury team, under policies approved by the Council in the Annual Capital and Investment Strategy. The Council provides written principles for overall risk management, as well as written policies covering specific areas, such as interest risk, credit risk and the investment of surplus cash.

Credit Risk

Credit risk arises from deposits with banks and financial institutions, as well as credit exposures to the Council’s customers.

The risk is minimised through the Treasury Management Policy, which requires that deposits are not made with financial institutions unless they meet the identified minimum credit criteria. This means that, ordinarily, the counterparty must have long-term credit ratings of A- or above to reduce the risk of bail-in.

Customers for goods and services are assessed, taking into account their financial position, past experience and other factors, with individual credit limits set in accordance with internal ratings in accordance with parameters set by the Council.

The Council’s maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to its investments in banks and building societies cannot be assessed generally as the risk of any institution failing to make interest payments or repay the principal sum will be specific to each institution. Recent experience has shown that it is rare for such entities to be unable  to meet their commitments. There remains a risk that the Council’s deposits could be unrecoverable in the event of an institution failing, but there was no evidence at the 31 March 2022 that this was likely to happen.

No credit limits were exceeded during the reporting period and the Council does not expect any losses from non-performance by any of its counterparties in relation to its deposits.

The Council does not generally allow extended credit for customers, but some of the current balance is past its due date for payment. The past due but not impaired amount can be analysed by age as follows:

Past due but not impaired amount

2020/21 £'000	Debtors past due but not impaired	2021/22 £'000
534	Less than three months	678
112	Three to nine months	37
47	Nine months to one year	2
699	More than one year	729

Amounts Arising from Expected Credit Losses

We have assessed the Council’s short and long term investments and concluded that the expected credit loss is not material therefore no allowances have been made.

A summary of the Council’s short term investments are shown below.

Council’s short term investments

Institution	Length of Term	Amount £'000
Call Accounts / MMFs	-	-
Aviva	Call	-
Blackrock	Call	5,649
CCLA - Psdf	Call	3,002
Federated	Call	4,477
Goldman Sachs Asset Management	Call	5,342
HSBC Asset Management	Call	366
Invesco Aim	Call	707
Aberdeen Asset Management	Call	2,088
Bank Of Scotland Plc	Call	378
Bank Of Scotland Plc	32 days	4,109
Barclays Bank Plc	32 days	4,360
Handelsbanken	35 days	902
Santander UK Plc	Call	4,145
Santander UK Plc	35 days	4,018
Residual MMF/Call Account balances	Call	20
-	Note 15	39,563
Short Term Investments	-	-
Goldman Sachs International Bank	182 days	5,000
Blackpool Council	183 days	3,000
Close Brothers Ltd	179 days	5,000
-	-	13,000
Total Investments	-	52,563

Liquidity Risk

The Council has a comprehensive cash flow management system that seeks to ensure that cash is available as needed. If unexpected movements happen, the Council has ready access to borrow from the money markets and the Public Works Loans Board. There is no significant risk that it will be unable to raise finance to meet its commitments under financial instruments. Instead, the risk is that the Council will be bound to replenish a significant proportion of its borrowings at a time of unfavourable interest rates.

The Council sets limits on the proportion of its fixed rate borrowing during specific periods. All trade and other payables are due to be paid in less than one year.

Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

The Council is exposed to risk in terms of its exposure to interest rate movements on its borrowings and investments. Movement in interest rates have a complex impact on the Council. For instance, a rise in interest rates could have the following effects:

• Borrowings at variable rates – the interest expense charged to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services would rise.
• Investment at variable rates – interest income credited to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services will rise.
• Investments at fixed rates – the fair value of the assets will fall.
• Inflation - current high inflation rates heighten the risk of interest rate volatility and in particular the potential for rising interest rates.

Borrowings are not carried at fair value, so nominal gains and losses on fixed rate borrowings would not impact on the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services or Other Comprehensive Income or Expenditure. However, changes in interest payable and receivable on variable rate borrowings and investments will be posted to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services and affect the General Fund Balance. The Council is cushioned to some degree as it does not have any debt at the Balance Sheet date. Movements in the fair value of fixed rate investments that have a quoted market price will be reflected in Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure.

As the Council does not have any borrowings at the Balance Sheet date the management of interest rate exposure is focused on its investments. The treasury management team has an active strategy for assessing interest rate exposure that feeds into the setting of the annual budget and which is used to update the budget during the year. This allows any adverse changes to be accommodated.

According to this assessment strategy, at 31 March 2022, if interest rates had been 1% higher or lower with all variables held constant, the effect would be:

Effect of 1% higher or lower interest

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
214	Increase in interest receivable on variable rate investments	368
214	Impact on Surplus or Deficit on Provision of Services	368
0	Decrease in fair value of fixed rate investments	0
0	Impact on Other Comprehensive Income	0

Price Risk

The Council’s investment in the CCLA Property Fund, CCLA Diversified Fund, Royal London Enhanced Cash Plus, Ninety One and Aegon (formerly Kames and Investec) are subject to the risk of falling commercial property prices. However, any movements in price will not impact on the General Fund Balance as regulations are currently in force to remove the impact of the fair value movements on the taxpayer. The Council is using the temporary statutory override agreed by DLUHC (5 years commencing from April 2019) to account for any changes in the fair value on its pooled investments.

Foreign Exchange Risk

The Council has no financial assets or liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and therefore has no exposure to loss arising from movements in exchange rates.

36. Accounting Policies

i. General Principles

The Statement of Accounts summarises the Council’s transactions for the 2021/22 financial year and its position at the year-end of 31 March 2022. It has been prepared in accordance with the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 which require the accounts to be prepared in accordance with proper accounting practices. These practices primarily comprise the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in United Kingdom 2021/22 supported by International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) It also complies with guidance notes issued by CIPFA on the application of accounting standards (Standard Statement of Accounting Practice and Financial Reporting Standards) to the local authority accounts.

The accounting convention adopted in the Statement of Accounts is principally historical cost, modified by the revaluation of certain categories of non-current assets and financial instruments.

ii. Accruals of Income and Expenditure

Activity is accounted for in the year that it takes place, not simply when cash payments are made or received. In particular:

• Revenue from contracts with service recipients – whether for services or the provision of goods, is recognised when (or as) the goods or services are transferred to the service recipient in accordance with the performance obligations in the contract.
• Supplies are recorded as expenditure when they are consumed – where there is a gap between the date supplies are received and their consumption; they are carried as inventories on the Balance Sheet.
• Expenses in relation to services received (including services provided by employees) are recorded as expenditure when the services are received rather than when payments are made.
• Interest payable on borrowings and receivable on investments is accounted for on the basis of the effective interest rate for the relevant financial instrument rather than the cash flows fixed or determined by the contract.
• Where revenue and expenditure have been recognised but cash has not been received or paid, a debtor or creditor for the relevant amount is recorded in the Balance Sheet. Where it is doubtful that debts will be settled, the balance of debtors is written down and a charge made to revenue for the income that might not be collected.

iii. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash is represented by cash in hand and deposits with financial institutions repayable without penalty on notice of not more than 24 hours. Cash equivalents are investments that mature in three months or less from the date of acquisition and that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with insignificant risk of change in value. In the Cash Flow Statement, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the Council’s cash management.

iv. Prior Period Adjustments, Changes in Accounting Policies and Estimates and Errors

Prior period adjustments may arise as a result of a change in accounting policies or to correct a material error. Changes in accounting estimates are accounted for prospectively (in the current and future years affected by the change and do not give rise to a prior period adjustment).

Changes in accounting policies are only made when required by proper accounting practices or where the change provides more reliable or relevant information about the effect of transactions, other events and conditions on the Council’s financial position or financial performance.

Where a change is made, it is applied retrospectively (unless stated otherwise) by adjusting opening balances and comparative amounts for the prior period as if the new policy had always been applied. 

Material errors discovered in prior period figures are corrected retrospectively by amending opening balances and comparative amounts for the prior period.

v. Charges to Revenue for Non-Current Assets

Services, support services and trading accounts are debited with the following amounts to record the cost of holding fixed assets during the year:

• Depreciation attributable to the assets used by the relevant service;
• Revaluation and impairment losses on assets used by the service where there are no accumulated gains in the Revaluation Reserve against which the losses can be written off; and
• Amortisation of intangible fixed assets attributable to the service.

The Council is not required to raise Council Tax to cover depreciation, revaluation and impairment losses or amortisation. It is however, required to make annual provision from revenue towards the reduction in its overall borrowing requirement; this is referred to as Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP). Guidance was issued by the Secretary of State under section 21 (1A) of the Local Government Act 2003 for the calculation of this provision.

Depreciation, revaluation and impairment losses and amortisation are therefore replaced by the MRP contribution in the general fund balance by way of an adjusting transaction with the capital adjustment account in MIRS for the difference between the two.

vi. Employee Benefits

Benefits payable during employment

Short-term employee benefits are those due to be settled within 12 months of the year-end. They include such benefits as wages and salaries, paid annual leave and paid sick leave for current employees and are recognised as an expense for services in the year in which employees render service to the Council. Where material an accrual is made for the cost of holiday entitlements (or any form of leave, for example, time off in lieu) earned by employees but not taken before the year-end which employees can carry forward into the next financial year. The accrual is made at the wage and salary rates applicable in the following year, being the period in which the employee takes the benefit. The accrual is charged to Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services, but then reversed out through the Movement in Reserves Statement so that holiday benefits are charged to revenue in the financial year in which the holiday absence occurs.

Termination Benefits

Termination benefits are amounts payable as a result of a decision by the Council to either terminate an officer’s employment before the normal retirement date or an officer’s decision to accept voluntary redundancy. These are charged on an accruals basis to the appropriate service segment or, where applicable to a corporate service segment at the earlier of when the Council can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits or when the Council recognises costs for a restructuring.

When termination benefits involve the enhancement of pensions, statutory provisions require the General Fund balance to be charged with the amount payable by the Council to the pension fund or pensioner in the year, not the amount calculated according to the relevant accounting standards. In the Movement in Reserves Statement, appropriations are required to and from the Pension Reserve to remove the notional debits and credits for pension enhancement termination benefits. These are replaced with debits for the cash paid to the pension fund and pensioners and any such amounts payable but unpaid at the year-end.

Post-Employment Benefits

Employees are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), which is administered by Nottinghamshire County Council and is accounted for as a defined benefits scheme providing defined benefits to members (Retirement Lump Sums and Pensions) earned as employees working for the Council.

The liabilities of the pension scheme attributable to the Council are included in the Balance Sheet on an actuarial basis using the projected unit credit method – (an assessment of the future payments that will be made in relation to retirement benefits earned to date by employees, based on assumptions about mortality rates, employee turnover rates, etc., and projected earnings for current employees).

Liabilities are discounted to their value at current prices, using a discount rate set to market conditions (using the annualised Merrill Lynch AA rated corporate bond yield curve).

The assets of the pension fund attributed to the Council are included in the Balance Sheet at their fair value:

• Quoted Securities – current bid price
• Unquoted Securities – professional estimate
• Unitised Securities – current bid price
• Property – market value

The change in the net pension’s liability is analysed into five components:

• Service costs comprising

• - Current Service Cost – the increase in liabilities as a result of years of service earned this year – allocated in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement to the service for which the employees worked.
• - Past Service Cost – the increase in liabilities arising from current year decisions whose effect relates to years of service earned in earlier years – debited to the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as part of Non-Distributed Costs.
• - Net interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset), the net interest expense for the Council – the change during the period in the net defined benefit liability (asset) that arises from the passage of time charged to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line of the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement – this is calculated by applying the discount rate used to measure the defined benefit obligation at the beginning of the period to the net defined benefit liability (asset) at the beginning of the period – taking into account any changes in the net defined benefit liability (asset) during the period as a result of contribution and benefit payments.

• Re-measurements comprising

• - The return on plan assets – excluding amounts included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability (asset) – charged to the Pension Reserve as Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure.- Actuarial gains and losses – changes in the net pensions liability that arise because events have not coincided with assumptions made at the last actuarial valuation or because the actuaries have updated their assumptions – charged to the Pensions Reserve as Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure.

• Contributions Paid to the Pension Fund – cash paid as employer’s contributions to the pension fund in settlement of liabilities; not accounted for as an expense.

In relation to retirement benefits, statutory provisions require the General Fund balance to be charged with the amount payable by the Council to the pension fund, or directly to pensioners in the year, not the amount calculated according to the relevant accounting standards. In the Movement in Reserves Statement, this means that there are appropriations to and from the Pensions Reserve to remove the notional debits and credits for retirement benefits and replace them with debits for the cash paid to the pension fund and pensioners, and any amounts payable to the fund but unpaid at the year-end. The negative balance that arises on the Pensions Reserve thereby measures the beneficial impact to the General Fund of being required to account for retirement benefits on the basis of cash flows rather than as benefits are earned by employees.

Discretionary Benefits

The Council has restricted powers to make discretionary awards of retirement benefits in the event of early retirements. Any liabilities estimated to arise as a result of an award to any member of staff are accrued in the year of the decision to make the award and accounted for using the same policies as are applied to the LGPS.

vii. Events after the Balance Sheet Date

Events after the Balance Sheet date are those events, both favourable and unfavourable, that occur between the end of the reporting period and the date when the Statement of Accounts is authorised for issue. Two types of event can occur:

• Those that provide evidence of conditions that existed at the end of the reporting period – the Statement of Accounts is adjusted to reflect such events.
• Those that are indicative of conditions that arose after the reporting period – the Statement of Accounts are not adjusted to reflect such events, but where a category of events would have a material effect, disclosure is made in the notes of the nature of the events and their estimated financial effect.

Events taking place after the date of authorisation for issue are not reflected in the Statement of Accounts.

viii. Financial Instruments

General

The Council recognises a financial asset or liability on the Balance Sheet when it becomes party to the contractual provisions of an instrument.

Financial Liabilities

Financial liabilities are recognised on the balance sheet when the Council becomes a party to the contractual provisions of a financial instrument and are initially measured at fair value and carried at their amortised cost. Annual charges to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement for interest payable, are based on the carrying amount of liability, multiplied by the effective rate of interest for the instrument. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments over the life of the instrument to the amount at which it was originally recognised.

The Council currently has no long-term debt but, any future long-term debt would be within the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and future Accounting Policies.

Financial Assets

Financial assets are classified based on a classification and measurement approach that reflects the business model for holding the financial assets and their cashflow characteristics. There are three main classes of financial assets measured at:

• amortised cost
• fair value through profit or loss (FVPL), and
• fair value through other comprehensive income (FVOCI).

The Council’s business model is to hold investments to collect contractual cash flows. Financial assets are therefore classified as amortised cost, except for those whose contractual payments are not solely payment of principal and interest.

Financial Assets Measured at Amortised Cost

Financial assets measured at amortised cost are recognised on the Balance Sheet when the Council becomes a party to the contractual provisions of a financial instrument and are initially measured at fair value. They are subsequently measured at their amortised cost. Annual credits to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) for interest receivable are based on the carrying amount of the asset multiplied by the effective rate of interest for the instrument. For most of the financial assets held by the authority, this means that the amount presented in the Balance Sheet is the outstanding principal receivable (plus accrued interest) and interest credited to the CIES is the amount receivable for the year in the loan agreement.

In the event that the Council makes a loan to an outside body at less than market rates (soft loans) and the present value of the interest foregone is greater than £50k, a loss is recorded in the CIES (debited to the appropriate service) for the present value of the interest that will be foregone over the life of the instrument, resulting in a lower amortised cost than the outstanding principal.

Interest is credited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the CIES at a marginally higher effective rate of interest than the rate receivable from the voluntary organisations, with the difference serving to increase the amortised cost of the loan in the Balance Sheet. Statutory provisions require that the impact of soft loans on the General Fund Balance is the interest receivable for the financial year – the reconciliation of amounts debited and credited to the CIES to the net gain required against the General Fund Balance is managed by a transfer to or from the Financial Instruments Adjustment Account in the Movement in Reserves Statement.

Any gains and losses that arise on the derecognition of an asset are credited or debited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the CIES.

Expected Credit Loss Model

The authority recognises expected credit losses on all of its financial assets held at amortised cost [or where relevant FVOCI], either on a 12-month or lifetime basis. The expected credit loss model also applies to lease receivables and contract assets. Only lifetime losses are recognised for trade receivables (debtors) held by the authority.

Impairment losses are calculated to reflect the expectation that the future cash flows might not take place because the borrower could default on their obligations. Credit risk plays a crucial part in assessing losses. Where risk has increased significantly since an instrument was initially recognised, losses are assessed on a lifetime basis. Where risk has not increased significantly or remains low, losses are assessed on the basis of 12-month expected losses.

The legacy impact of the COVID19 pandemic has been considered when assessing potential impairment of debt.

Financial Assets measured at Fair Value through Other Comprehensive Income

Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income are recognised on the balance sheet when the authority becomes a party to the contractual provisions of a financial instrument and are initially measured and carried at fair value. Annual income received from the financial instrument is credited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement when it becomes receivable by the authority.

Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value through Profit and Loss

Financial assets that are measured at FVPL are recognised on the Balance Sheet when the authority becomes a party to the contractual provisions of a financial instrument and are initially measured and carried at fair value. Fair value gains and losses are recognised as they occur in the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services.

Fair Value measurement of Financial Assets

Fair value of an asset is the price that would be received to sell an asset in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurements of the authority’s financial assets are based on the following techniques:

• instruments with quoted market prices – the market price
• other instruments with fixed and determinable payments – discounted cash flow analysis.

The inputs to the measurement techniques are categorised in accordance with the following three levels:

• Level 1 inputs – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets that the authority can access at the measurement date.
• Level 2 inputs – inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset, either directly or indirectly.
• Level 3 inputs – unobservable inputs for the asset.

Any gains and losses that arise on the derecognition of the asset are credited or debited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

The Council holds shares in CCLA Property fund, CCLA Diversified Fund, Royal London Enhanced Cash Plus Fund and Ninety One (formerly Kames and Investec). Any movement in Fair Value will be accounted for in Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in Surplus/Deficit on Provision of Services. A statutory override must be used to reverse the entry in the CIES to a reserve to recognise the fair value gains and losses.

ix. Government Grants and Contributions

Whether paid on account, by instalments or in arrears, government grants, third party contributions and donations are recognised as due to the Council where there is reasonable assurance that:

• The Council will comply with the conditions attached to the payments; and
• The grants or contributions will be received.

Amounts recognised as due to the Council are not credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement until conditions attached to the grant or contribution have been satisfied. Conditions are stipulations that specify that the future economic benefits or service potential embodied in the asset acquired using the grant or contribution are required to be consumed by the recipient as specified, or future economic benefits or service potential must be returned to the transferor.

Monies advanced as grants and contributions for which conditions have not been satisfied are carried in the Balance Sheet as creditors (Receipts in Advance). When conditions are satisfied, the grant or contribution is credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

Where capital grants and contributions including Section 106s are credited to the Comprehensive Income Expenditure Statement as Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income, they are reversed out of the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement. Where the grant has yet to be used to finance capital expenditure it is posted to the Capital Grants Unapplied Reserve. Where it has been applied it is posted to the Capital Adjustment Account. Amounts in the Capital Grants Unapplied Reserve are transferred to the Capital Adjustment Account once they have been applied to fund capital expenditure.

Community Infrastructure Levy

The Council has elected to charge a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The levy is charged on new builds (chargeable developments for the authority) with appropriate planning consent. The Council charges for and collects the levy, which is a planning charge. The income from the levy will be used to fund a number of infrastructure projects to support the development of the area. The charge came into force on 7 October 2019.

CIL is received without outstanding conditions; it is therefore recognised at the commencement date of the chargeable development in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement in accordance with the accounting policy for government grants and contributions set out above. CIL charges will be largely used to fund capital expenditure. However, a proportion of the charges may be used to fund revenue expenditure.

x. Heritage Assets

The Council has Heritage Assets; a small art collection; war memorabilia (war memorial and commemorative bench); and Covid Memorial Obelisk. Heritage Assets are carried at valuation rather than current of fair value reflecting the fact that sales and exchanges are uncommon. The Art Collection is valued at insurance valuation and the War Memorial, bench and Obelisk at depreciated historic cost as they are infrastructure assets. The treatment of revaluation gains and losses is in accordance with the Council’s accounting policies on property, plant and equipment.

The carrying amounts of Heritage Assets are reviewed where there is evidence of impairment, for example, where an item has suffered physical deterioration or breakage or where doubts arise as to its authenticity. Any impairment is recognised and measured in accordance with the Council’s general policies on impairment.

Art collection

The assets within the art collection are deemed to have indeterminate lives; hence the Council does not consider it appropriate to charge depreciation.

Acquisitions are made by purchase or donation. Purchases are initially recognised at cost and donations are recognised at valuation.

War Memorial and Bench

Both the War Memorial, Commemorative Bench and Obelisk are sited in West Bridgford and held at Depreciated Historical Cost (a proxy for current value).

xi. Intangible Assets

Expenditure on non-monetary assets that do not have physical substance but are controlled by the Council as a result of past events (for example, software licences). These are capitalised when it is expected that future economic benefits or service potential will flow from the intangible asset to the Council.

Internally generated assets are capitalised where it is demonstrable that the project is technically feasible and is intended to be completed (with adequate resources being available) and the authority will be able to generate future economic benefits or deliver service potential by being able to sell or use the asset. Expenditure is capitalised where it can be measured reliably as attributable to the asset and is restricted to that incurred during the development phase (research expenditure cannot be capitalised).

Intangible assets are measured initially at cost. Amounts are only revalued where the fair value of the assets held by the authority can be determined by reference to an active market. In practice, no intangible asset held by the authority meets this criterion, and they are therefore carried at amortised cost. The depreciable amount of an intangible asset is amortised over its useful life to the relevant service line(s) in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. An asset is tested for impairment whenever there is an indication that the asset might be impaired – any losses recognised are posted to the relevant service line(s) in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Any gain or loss arising on the disposal or abandonment of an intangible asset is posted to the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

Where expenditure on intangible assets qualifies as capital expenditure for statutory purposes, amortisation, impairment losses and disposal gains and losses are not permitted to have an impact on the General Fund Balance. The gains and losses are therefore reversed out of the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement and posted to the Capital Adjustment Account and (for any sale proceeds greater than £10,000) the Capital Receipts Reserve.

xii. Inventories and Long-Term Contracts

Inventories are included in the Balance Sheet at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Long term contracts are accounted for on the basis of charging the surplus or deficit on the provision of services with the consideration allocated to the performance obligations satisfied based on goods or services transferred to the service recipient during the financial year.

xiii. Interests in Companies and Other Entities

The Council has material interests in companies and other entities that have the nature of subsidiaries, associates and jointly controlled entities and require it to prepare group accounts.

xiv. Investment Property

Investment properties are those that are used solely to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation. The definition is not met if the property is used in any way to facilitate the delivery of services or production of goods or is held for sale.

Investment properties are measured initially at cost and subsequently at fair value and are not depreciated but are re-valued annually. Gains and losses on revaluation are posted to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. The same treatment is applied to gains and losses on disposal.

Rentals received in relation to investment properties are credited to the Financing and Investment Income line and result in a gain for the General Fund Balance. However, revaluation and disposal gains and losses are not permitted by statutory arrangements to have an impact on the General Fund Balance. The gains and losses are therefore reversed out of the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement and posted to the Capital Adjustment Account and the Capital Receipts Reserve (for any sale proceeds greater than £10,000).

xv. Leases

Leases are classified as finance leases where the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of the property, plant or equipment from the lessor to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases.

An exception is made where leases were in existence prior to the introduction of IFRS 16 and not treated in accordance with proper practice as at 31 March 2010. Under the terms of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2010 no 454, the Council may continue to account for money received in accordance with the original type of leases.

Leases classified as Investment Properties are not required to show a split between the land and building elements.

Where a lease covers both land and buildings, the land and buildings elements are considered separately for classification.

Arrangements that do not have the legal status of a lease but convey a right to use an asset in return for payment are accounted for under this policy where fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset.

The Council as Lessee

Finance Leases

Property, plant and equipment held under finance leases is recognised on the Balance Sheet at the commencement of the lease at its fair value measured at the lease’s inception (or the present value of the minimum lease payments, if lower). The asset recognised is matched by a liability for the obligation to pay the lessor. Initial direct costs of the Council are added to the carrying amount of the asset. Premiums paid on entry into a lease are applied to writing down the lease liability. Contingent rents are charged as expenses in the periods in which they are incurred.

Lease payments are apportioned between:

• A charge for the acquisition of the interest in the property, plant or equipment – applied to write down the lease liability, and
• A finance charge (debited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement).

Property, plant and equipment recognised under finance leases is accounted for using the policies applied generally to such assets, subject to depreciation being charged over the lease term if this is shorter than the asset’s estimated useful life (where ownership of the asset does not transfer to the Council at the end of the lease period).

The Council is not required to raise council tax to cover depreciation or revaluation and impairment losses arising on leased assets. Instead, a prudent annual contribution is made from revenue funds towards the deemed capital investment in accordance with statutory requirements. Depreciation and revaluation and impairment losses are therefore substituted by a revenue contribution in the General Fund Balance, by way of an adjusting transaction with the Capital Adjustment Account in the Movement in Reserves Statement for the difference between the two.

Operating Leases

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as an expense of the services benefiting from the leased asset.

Charges are made on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, even if this does not match the pattern of payments (eg there is a rent-free period at the commencement of the lease).

The Council as Lessor

Finance Leases

Where the authority grants a finance lease over a property or an item of plant or equipment, the relevant asset is written out of the Balance Sheet as a disposal. At the commencement of the lease, the carrying amount of the asset in the Balance Sheet (whether property, plant and equipment or assets held for sale) is written off to the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal. A gain, representing the authority’s net investment in the lease, is credited to the same line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement also as part of the gain or loss on disposal (netted off against the carrying value of the asset at the time of disposal), matched by a lease (long-term debtor) asset in the Balance Sheet.

Lease rentals receivable are apportioned between: a charge for the acquisition of the interest in the property – applied to write down the lease debtor (together with any premiums received), and finance income (credited to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement).

The gain credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement on disposal is not permitted by statute to increase the General Fund Balance and is required to be treated as a capital receipt. Where a premium has been received, this is posted out of the General Fund Balance to the Capital Receipts Reserve in the Movement in Reserves Statement. Where the amount due in relation to the lease asset is to be settled by the payment of rentals in future financial years, this is posted out of the General Fund Balance to the Deferred Capital Receipts Reserve (England and Wales) or Capital Receipts Reserve (Scotland) in the Movement in Reserves Statement. When the future rentals are received, the element for the capital receipt for the disposal of the asset is used to write down the lease debtor. At this point, the deferred capital receipts are transferred to the Capital Receipts Reserve (England and Wales).

The written-off value of disposals is not a charge against council tax, as the cost of non-current assets is fully provided for under separate arrangements for capital financing. Amounts are therefore appropriated to the Capital Adjustment Account from the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement.

Operating Leases

Where the authority grants an operating lease over a property or an item of plant or equipment, the asset is retained in the Balance Sheet. Rental income is credited to the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Credits are made on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease, even if this does not match the pattern of payments (eg there is a premium paid at the commencement of the lease). Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging the lease are added to the carrying amount of the relevant asset and charged as an expense over the lease term on the same basis as rental income.

The authority does not have any sale and leaseback assets.

xvi. Jointly Controlled Operations

Jointly controlled operations are activities undertaken by the Council in conjunction with other joint operators that involve the use of assets and resources of the venture rather than the establishment of a separate entity. The Council recognises on its Balance Sheet the assets that it controls and the liabilities that it incurs and debits and credits the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement with the expenditure it incurs and the share of income it earns from the activity of the operation.

xvii. Overheads and Support Services

The costs of overheads and support services are charged to service areas in accordance with the Council’s arrangements for accountability and financial performance.

xviii. Property, Plant & Equipment

Assets that have physical substance and are held for use in the production or supply of goods or services, for rental to others, or for administrative purposes and that are expected to be used during more than one financial year are classified as Property, Plant and Equipment.

Recognition

Expenditure on the acquisition, creation or enhancement of Property, Plant and Equipment is capitalised on an accruals basis, provided that it is probable that the future economic service potential associated with the item will flow to the Council and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. Expenditure that maintains but does not add to an asset’s potential to deliver future economic benefits or service potential is charged as an expense when it is incurred. In addition, expenditure needs to be in excess of the Council de-minimis level of £10,000 before it can be recognised as capital, spend below this limit is charged to revenue.

The Code requires components to be accounted for as separate items where they are material, the Council has undertaken a review of its assets relating to Property, Plant and Equipment and componentising these assets has no material impact. The Council has however componentised its assets, into two elements, land and buildings.

Measurement

Assets are initially measured at cost, comprising:

• The purchase price
• Any costs attributable to bringing the asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management
• The initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item and restoring the site on which it is located.

The cost of assets acquired other than by purchase is deemed to be its fair value, unless the acquisition does not have commercial substance, (it will not lead to variation in the cash flows of the Council). In the latter case, where an asset is acquired via exchange, the cost of the acquisition is the carrying amount of the asset given up by the council.

Donated assets are measured initially at fair value unless the donation has been made conditionally. The difference between fair value and any consideration paid is credited to the Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income line of the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Until conditions are satisfied, the gain is held in the Donated Assets Account. Where gains are credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, they are reversed out of the General Fund Balance to the Capital Adjustment Account in the Movement in Reserves Statement.

Assets are then carried in the Balance Sheet using the following measurement bases:

Property, Plant and Equipment                  

• Other Land and Buildings – Existing Use Value (EUV)
• Vehicles and Plant – Depreciated Historical Cost
• Infrastructure – Depreciated Historical Cost
• Community Assets – Depreciated Historical Cost
• Assets Under Construction – Depreciated Historical Cost
  

Assets included in the Balance Sheet at fair value are re-valued sufficiently regularly to ensure that their carrying amount is not materially different from their fair value at the year-end, but as a minimum every three years. Increases in valuations are matched by credits to the Revaluation Reserve to recognise unrealised gains. Exceptionally, gains might be credited to the Surplus and Deficit on the Provision of Services line of the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement where they arise from the reversal of a loss previously charged to a service.

Where decreases in value are identified, they are accounted for as follows:

• Where there is a balance of revaluation gains for the asset in the Revaluation Reserve, the carrying amount of the asset is written down against that balance (up to the amount of the accumulated gains)
• Where there is no balance in the Revaluation Reserve or an insufficient balance, the carrying amount of the asset is written down against the relevant service line(s) in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

The Revaluation Reserve contains revaluation gains recognised since 1 April 2007 only, the date of its formal implementation. Gains arising before that date have been consolidated into the Capital Adjustment Account.

Impairment

Assets are assessed at each year-end as to whether there is any indication that an asset may be impaired. Where indications exist and any possible differences are estimated to be material, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated and, where this is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognised for the shortfall.

Where impairment losses are identified, they are accounted for by:

• Where there is a balance of revaluation gains for the asset in the Revaluation Reserve or an insufficient balance, the carrying amount of the asset is written down against that balance (up to the amount of the accumulated gains)
• Where there is no balance in the Revaluation Reserve or an insufficient balance, the carrying amount of the asset is written down against the relevant service line(s) in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

Where an impairment loss is reversed subsequently, the reversal is credited to the relevant service line(s) in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, up to the amount of the original loss, adjusted for depreciation that would have been charged if the loss had not been recognised.

Depreciation

Depreciation is provided for on all Property, Plant and Equipment assets by the systematic allocation of their depreciable amounts over their useful lives. An exception is made for assets without a determinable finite useful life (freehold land and certain Community Assets) and assets that are not yet available for use (assets under construction) and assets held for a commercial return (investment properties). It is calculated as follows:

Property, Plant and Equipment

Other Land and Buildings: Straight line – over the useful life of the asset

Vehicles and Plant: Straight line – over the useful life of the asset

Infrastructure: Straight line – over the useful life of the asset

Revaluation gains are also depreciated, with an amount equal to the difference between current value depreciation charged on assets and the depreciation that would have been chargeable based on their historical cost being transferred each year from the Revaluation Reserve to the Capital Adjustment Account.

Disposals and Non-current Assets Held for Sale

When it becomes probable that the carrying amount of an asset will be recovered principally through a sale transaction rather than through its continuing use, it is reclassified as an Asset Held for Sale. The asset is re-valued immediately before reclassification and then carried at the lower of this amount and fair value less costs to sell. Where there is a subsequent decrease to fair value less costs to sell, the loss is posted to the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. Gains in fair value are recognised only up to the amount of any previous losses recognised in the Surplus or Deficit on Provision of Services. Depreciation is not charged on Assets Held for Sale.

If assets no longer meet the criteria to be classified as Assets Held for Sale, they are reclassified back to non-current assets and valued at the lower of their carrying amount before they were classified as held for sale; adjusted for depreciation, amortisation or revaluations that would have been recognised had they not been classified as Held for Sale, and their recoverable amount at the date of the decision not to sell. Assets that are to be abandoned or scrapped are not reclassified as Assets Held for Sale.

When an asset is disposed of or decommissioned, the carrying amount of the asset in the Balance Sheet (whether Property, Plant and Equipment or Assets Held for Sale) is written off to the Other Operating Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement as part of the gain or loss on disposal. Receipts from disposals (if any) are credited to the same line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement also as part of the gain or loss on disposal (netted off against the carrying value of the asset at the time of disposal). Any revaluation gains accumulated for the asset in the Revaluation Reserve are transferred to the Capital Adjustment Account. Amounts received for a disposal in excess of £10,000 are categorised as capital receipts. Capital receipts are credited to the Capital Receipts Reserve and can then only be used for new capital investment or set aside to reduce the authority’s underlying need to borrow (the capital financing requirement). Receipts are appropriated to the Reserve from the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement.

As the cost of fixed assets is fully provided for under separate arrangements for capital finance the written-off value of disposals is not a charge against council tax. Amounts are appropriated to the Capital Adjustment Account from the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement.

Assets under Construction

Assets under Construction are only recognised when it is probable that the future economic benefits will flow to the Council and the cost can be measured reliably. Assets under construction are capitalised at cost which includes labour and overhead costs arising directly from the construction of the asset. Assets under construction are not depreciated until they are brought into use under the relevant sections of Property Plant and Equipment.

xix. Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets

Provisions

Provisions are made where an event has taken place that gives the Council a legal or constructive obligation that probably requires settlement by a transfer of economic benefits or service potential, and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. For instance, the Council may be involved in a court case that could eventually result in the making of a settlement or the payment of compensation.

Provisions are charged as an expense to the appropriate service line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement in the year that the Council becomes aware of the obligation, and are measured at the best estimate at the balance sheet date of the expenditure required to settle the obligation, taking into account relevant risks and uncertainties.

When payments are eventually made, they are charged to the provision carried in the Balance Sheet. Estimated settlements are reviewed at the end of each financial year – where it becomes less than probable that a transfer of economic benefits will now be required (or a lower settlement than anticipated is made), the provision is reversed and credited back to the relevant service.

Where some or all of the payment required to settle a provision is expected to be recovered from another party (eg from an insurance claim), this is only recognised as income for the relevant service if it is virtually certain that reimbursement will be received if the Council settles the obligation.

Contingent Liabilities

A contingent liability arises where an event has taken place that gives the Council a possible obligation whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or otherwise of uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the Council. Contingent liabilities also arise in circumstances where a provision would otherwise be made but either it is not probable that an outflow of resources will be required, or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured reliably. Contingent liabilities are not recognised in the Balance Sheet but disclosed in a note to the accounts.

Contingent Assets

A contingent asset arises where an event has taken place that gives the Council a possible asset whose existence will only be confirmed by the occurrence or otherwise of uncertain future events not wholly within the control of the Council. Where it is probable that there will be an inflow of economic benefits or service potential, contingent assets are not recognised in the Balance Sheet but disclosed in a note to the Accounts.

xx. Reserves

The Council sets aside specific amounts as reserves for future policy purposes or to cover contingencies. Reserves are created by appropriating amounts out of the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement. When expenditure to be financed from a reserve is incurred, it is charged to the appropriate service in that year to score against the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. The reserve is then appropriated back into the General Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement so that there is no net charge against council tax for the expenditure.

Certain reserves are kept to manage the accounting processes for non-current assets, financial instruments, and retirement and employee benefits and do not represent usable resources for the Council – these reserves are explained in the relevant policies.

xxi. Revenue Expenditure Funded from Capital under Statute

Expenditure incurred during the year that may be capitalised under statutory provisions but does not result in the creation of a non-current asset has been charged as expenditure to the relevant service in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement in the year. Where the Council has determined to meet the cost of this expenditure from existing capital resources or by borrowing, a transfer in the Movement in Reserves Statement from the General Fund Balance to the Capital Adjustment Account then reverses out the amounts charged so that there is no impact on the level of council tax.

xxii. VAT

VAT payable is included as an expense only to the extent that it is not recoverable from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. VAT receivable is excluded from income.

Non-recoverable VAT relating to a capital scheme will form part of the capital cost of that scheme.

xxiii. Collection Fund – Council Tax & Non Domestic Rates (NDR)

Billing authorities are required by statute to maintain a separate fund for the collection and distribution of amounts due in respect of council tax and business rates. The Council acts as an agent, collecting and distributing council tax and business rates income on behalf the major precepting authorities and central government, and as a principle, collecting council tax and NDR for itself.

The council tax and NDR income included in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is the authority’s share of accrued income for the year. Any difference between the income included in the CIES and the demand or precept is taken to the Collection Fund Adjustment Account and included as a reconciling item in the Movement in Reserves Statement. The Balance Sheet includes the authority’s share of the end of year balances in respect of council tax and NDR relating to arrears, impairment allowances for doubtful debts, overpayments and prepayments and appeals. As the collection of Council Tax and NDR is an agency agreement there is a debtor/creditor position between the Council, the major preceptors and central government. As the billing authority, this Council’s Cash Flow Statement includes in ‘revenue activities’ only its own share of the Council Tax and NDR collected.

xxiv. Fair Value Measurement of non-financial assets

The Council measures some of its non-financial assets such as surplus assets and investment properties and some of its financial instruments at fair value at each reporting date. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place either:

• in the principal market for the asset or liability, or
• in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability.

The Council measures the fair value of an asset or liability using the assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, assuming that market participants act in their economic best interest.

When measuring the fair value of a non-financial asset, the Council takes into account a market participant’s ability to generate economic benefits by using the asset in its highest and best use or by selling it to another market participant that would use the asset in its highest and best use.

The Council uses valuation techniques that are appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data is available, maximising the use of relevant observable inputs and minimising the use of unobservable inputs. The hierarchy below is used.

Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the authority can access at the measurement date

Level 2 – inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly

Level 3 – unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

37. Accounting Standards That Have Been Issued But Have Not Yet Been Adopted

The Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2021/22 (the Code) requires the disclosure of information relating to the expected impact on the accounting change that will be required by a new standard that has been issued but not yet adopted by the Code for the relevant financial year. This applies to the adoption of the following new or amended standards within the 2022/23 code:

• IFRS 16 Leases (but only for those local authorities that have decided to adopt IFRS 16 in the 2022/23 year)
• Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2018–2020. The annual IFRS improvement programme notes 4 changed standards:
  • IFRS 1 (First-time adoption) – amendment relates to foreign operations of acquired subsidiaries transitioning to IFRS
  • IAS 37 (Onerous contracts) – clarifies the intention of the standard
  • IFRS 16 (Leases) – amendment removes a misleading example that is not referenced in the Code material
  • IAS 41 (Agriculture) – one of a small number of IFRSs that are only expected to apply to local authorities in limited circumstances.

None of the matters covered in the annual improvements are dealt with in detail in the 2022/23 Code. During the consultation process on the 2022/23 Code CIPFA/LASAAC did not envisage them having a significant effect on local authority financial statements.

• Property, Plant and Equipment: Proceeds before Intended Use (Amendments to IAS 16).

38. Critical Judgements in Applying Accounting Policies

In applying the accounting policies set out in Note 36 the Council has had to make certain judgements about complex transactions or those involving uncertainty about future events. The critical judgements made in the Statement of Accounts concern the following:

• a. There is a high degree of uncertainty about future levels of funding for local government notably issues around funding reforms and localisation of Business Rates. However, as these reforms have been delayed until at least 2024/25 due to COVID 19 the Council has determined that this uncertainty is not yet sufficient to provide an indication that the assets of the Council might be impaired as a result of a need to close facilities and reduce levels of service provision.
• b. A significant impact on the accounts concerns the assumptions surrounding pensions and the likelihood of legislative change and the impact of such change. The impact of either a change in the discount rate of 0.1% or a change in life expectancy of 1 year, for either, would be no more than £137k on service costs.
• c. The Council has a ‘Group Relationship’ with a subsidiary, namely Rushcliffe Enterprises Ltd which largely incorporates Streetwise Environmental Ltd and Streetwise Environmental Trading Ltd. The boundaries have been assessed using the criteria outlined in the Code of Practice. Although the parent company Rushcliffe Enterprises Ltd is dormant, the interest is considered to be material in terms of the importance of Streetwise to the Council and consequently Group Accounts have been produced. Following the decision to bring back in-house the Streetwise function from September 2022, group accounts will no longer be required.
• d. It is anticipated no substantial legal claims or appeals will be made against the Council in the next financial year.
• e. During 2021/22 the Council has administered grants for a range of schemes in relation to Covid-19. A judgement has been made as to whether the Council is acting as Agent or Principal in accordance with the Code of Practice. Where it is deemed the Council is acting as Principal (on its own behalf) and grant conditions have been met, funding will be recognised in the CIES. Where it is deemed the Council is acting as an intermediary (Agent) the transactions are not reflected in the financial statements except for debtors or creditors relating to the transactions. Disclosures relating to grants where the Council is acting as Principal are shown in the relevant notes to the accounts.

39. Assumptions Made About the Future and Other Major Sources of Estimation Uncertainty

The Statement of Accounts contains estimated figures that are based on assumptions made by the Council about the future or that are otherwise uncertain. Estimates are made taking into account historical experience, current trends and other relevant factors. However, because balances cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could be materially different from the assumptions and estimates.

Most significant estimates are for pensions, bad debts (impairments), provisions and accruals. Each of these has a different process for making the estimate:

• a. Pensions Liability: Estimation of the net liability to pay pensions depends on a number of complex judgements relating to the discount rate used, the rate at which salaries are projected to increase, changes in retirement ages, mortality rates and expected returns on pension fund assets. A firm of consulting actuaries is engaged by Nottinghamshire County Council and assurance is placed on the use of these qualified professionals to provide expert advice about the assumptions to be applied. The effects on the net pensions liability of changes in individual assumptions can be measured. For example, a 0.1% increase in the discount rate assumption and an increase of one year in the mortality age rating assumption would result in a decrease of £2.444m and an increase of £6.461m respectively in the present value of the defined benefit obligation. Note 32 provides more detail about pension liability. 
• b. Bad debt estimates are in accordance with IFRS 9 based on prudent collection rates taking into account knowledge of existing conditions on outstanding debts, particularly given the current economic climate. It is yet unknown how rising inflation and the increased cost of living following an already difficult period due to COVID will impact on collection of debt, therefore a fall in recoverability of 10% has been factored into the calculations. At 31st March 2022, the Council had sundry debtor balances of £0.724m and Housing Benefit (HB) debtors of £0.723m. If recoverability of these balances falls further than 10%, the amount set aside for these balances would increase. Provisions for bad debt are made according to the age of the debt. The provisions amount to £0.142m and £0.143m, respectively for sundry debtors and Housing Benefit overpayments. If recoverability of the debt does not fall by 10% across all ages of debt an estimated £0.071m would not be required.
• c. Provisions – generally most provisions are relatively low in value. Business Rate appeals (which the Valuation Office is responsible for) have been estimated in line with the accounting requirements of the national Business Rates Retention Scheme. In total Rushcliffe’s estimated liability amounts to £1.86m, with a further £2.79 million in relation to other precepting authorities and the Government. This has been calculated focusing on key determinants such as type of property, reasons for appeal and age of the appeal.
• d. Purchase accruals – these are low in volume and value, but with items such as utility accruals they are based on past bills / seasonality / readings and current contract prices. With the level of inflation currently expected to hit 8% and the current fuel crisis, the 2022/23 budget incorporates an allowance for an increase in utilities and fuel.
• e. Depreciation and amortisation is provided to write down the assets to their residual values over their estimated useful lives. The selection of these residual values and useful lives requires the exercise of management judgement considering anticipated usage levels in service provision and levels of repairs and maintenance. A review of balance sheet values is undertaken each year end to assess if any of the assets have not been used at the estimated rates and if any impairment charges are required. If the useful life of assets is reduced, depreciation increases and the carrying amount of the assets falls.

40. Material Items of Income and Expense

There are no material items of income and expense that have not been disclosed elsewhere in the accounts. During the year the Council acted as an agent for Government to distribute £6.5m of support grants to businesses (including £106k of funding from Rushcliffe Borough Council budgets). The remaining £0.786m is shown as a creditor on the balance sheet to either be carried forward to 2022/23 or repaid to Government.

41. Events After the Balance Sheet Date

COVID-19 remains a concern and we are constantly reviewing the impact on the Council. The main COVID-19 issues are stated within Section 6 of the Narrative.

 

---

 

G. Collection Fund

Collection fund summary

2020/21 Council Tax £'000	2020/21 NDR £'000	2020/21 Total £'000	Description	2021/22 Council Tax £'000	2021/22 NDR £'000	2021/22 Total £'000
-	-	-	Income:	-	-	-
89,316	-	89,316	Council Tax	93,993	-	93,993
-	23,064	23,064	Income from business ratepayers	-	25,677	25,677
89,316	23,064	112,380	Total	93,993	25,677	119,670
-	-	-	Expenditure: Precepts and Demands	-	-	-
67,519	-	67,519	Nottinghamshire County Council	69,968	-	69,968
10,087	-	10,087	Nottinghamshire Police Authority	10,811	-	10,811
3,579	-	3,579	Nottinghamshire Fire Authority	3,671	-	3,671
9,260	-	9,260	Rushcliffe Borough Council	9,575	-	9,575
-	-	-	Business Rates	-	-	-
-	17,397	17,397	Payments to Government*	-	22,786	22,786
-	10,620	10,620	Payments to Nottinghamshire County Council**	-	10,741	10,741
-	273	273	Payments to Nottinghamshire Fire Authority	-	286	286
-	3,213	3,213	Payments to Rushcliffe Borough Council***	-	3,792	3,792
-	112	112	Costs of Collection	-	113	113
-	-	-	Impairment of Debts/Appeals	-	-	-
-	-	-	Write-offs and uncollectable amounts	-	-	-
334	190	524	Allowance for impairment	569	19	588
-	5,564	5,564	Movement in provision for appeals	-	(4,112)	(4,112)
-	-	-	Contributions	-	-	-
(943)	356	(587)	Distribution of 18-19 estimated Collection Fund surplus/(deficit)	(442)	(10,001)	(10,443)
89,836	37,725	127,561	Total	94,152	23,624	117,776
(520)	(14,661)	(15,181)	Movement on Fund Balance	(159)	2,053	1,894
(885)	166	(719)	Opening Fund Balance	(1,405)	(14,495)	(15,900)
(1,405)	(14,495)	(15,900)	Closing Fund Balance	(1,564)	(12,442)	(14,006)

*This includes £8.483m payable to Government for transitional protection payments (2020/21 £3.764m).

**This includes £8.166m (2020/21 £8.166m) payable to the Nottinghamshire Business Rates Pool.

*** This includes the disregarded amount for renewable energy of £0.518m (2020/21 £0.473m)

Notes to the Collection Fund

1. General

The Collection Fund is an agent’s statement that reflects the statutory obligation of the billing authority to maintain a separate Collection Fund. The statement shows the transactions of the billing authority in relation to the collection from taxpayers of Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) and its distribution to local government bodies and central government.

2. Calculation of Council Tax Base

The calculation of the Council Tax base is the number of chargeable dwellings in each valuation band (adjusted for dwellings where discounts apply) converted to an equivalent number of band D dwellings is shown in the table below:

Council tax base

2020/21 Band D Equivalents	Band	Chargeable Properties After Discounts	Ratio	2021/22 Band D Equivalents
2,804	A	4,196	6/9	2,825
6,139	B	7,860	7/9	6,175
8,325	C	9,302	8/9	8,352
9,602	D	9,412	9/9	9,506
7,808	E	6,416	11/9	7,920
5,695	F	3,976	13/9	5,801
3,829	G	2,315	15/9	3,897
230	H	114	18/9	230
Total 44,432	-	-	-	Total 44,706
(444)	-	Non-Collection Impairment was 1.00% in 2021/22 (2020/21 1.00%)	-	(446)
43,988	-	Council Tax Base	-	44,260

3. Collection Fund Council Tax Balance/Redistributing Surpluses

The precepts detailed in the statement are shown net of the previous year’s surpluses/deficits. The Council estimates the year end Collection Fund Council Tax balance in January each year and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Funds) (England) Regulations 1992 this amount is distributed in the following financial year to the major preceptors in proportion to the respective precepts and demands. Any difference between the estimated and outturn figure is adjusted for in the following year.

In 2021/22 a Collection Fund Council Tax deficit of £0.442m was redistributed between the major precepting authorities. Of this £0.499m reflected the estimated outturn deficit at 15 January 2021 and £0.057m decrease in deficit arose from the difference between the estimated and actual outturn positions for 2019/20.

At 15 January 2022 the Collection Fund Council Tax deficit for 2021/22 was estimated at £0.465m comprising an in-year deficit of £0.001m and £0.464m deficit arising from the difference between the actual and estimated outturns for 2020/21. These funds will be collected from the major precepting authorities in 2022/23.

Precepting authorities

2020/20 £’000	Description	2021/22 £’000	2022/23 £’000
(704)	Nottinghamshire County Council	(330)	(347)
(103)	Nottinghamshire Police Authority	(49)	(52)
(38)	Nottinghamshire Fire Authority	(18)	(18)
(97)	Rushcliffe Borough Council	(45)	(48)
(942)	Total	(442)	(465)

Due to the adverse impact of Covid on collection of Council Tax and subsequently the in year deficit, the Government introduced a Statutory Instrument SI 2020/1202 in 2020/21. Every billing authority had to establish its 2021/22 in-year 'exceptional balance' for council tax as part of the process of estimating the outturn surplus/deficit on  the collection fund for 2021/22 as at 15 January 2022. If the exceptional balance calculated was a deficit, this amount is required to be spread over 3 years. The total estimated deficit was £1.44m and the exceptional balance £1.5m. In accordance with SI 2020/1202 the amount due to be recovered in 2021/22 is £0.442m and in  2022/23 is £0.465m and this is allocated to preceptors as shown in the table above. At 31 March 2022 the actual outturn for the Collection Fund Council Tax was £1.564m, an increase of £0.066m from the estimated outturn. This will be adjusted for as part of the calculations for the redistribution of Collection Fund balances in 2023/24.

4. Non-Domestic Rates

Under the arrangements regarding Uniform Business Rates, the Council collects non-domestic rates for its area which are based on local rateable values multiplied by a uniform rate which for 2021/2022 was 51.2p (2020/2021 51.2p). The non-domestic rateable value at the 31 March 2022 was £73,372,614 (31 March 2021 £74,852,874).

Rushcliffe Borough Council retains a 40% share of the proceeds of Non-Domestic Rate income, the remainder is distributed to preceptors in the following proportions: Central Government (50%), Nottinghamshire County Council (9%) and Nottinghamshire Fire Authority (1%).

Rushcliffe Borough Council is part of the Nottinghamshire Business Rates Pool. This is administered by Nottinghamshire County Council and includes the seven Nottinghamshire Districts and Nottinghamshire County Council.

In addition to the local management of business rates, authorities are expected to finance appeals made in respect of rateable values as defined by the Valuation Office so authorities are required to make a provision for these amounts. Appeals are charged and provided for in proportion to the precepting shares. Note 17 provides further details on the provision made in 2021/22.

The deficit continues at the increased level observed in 20/21 due to the continuation of lost income from business rates reliefs in response to the Covid pandemic awarded to Leisure, Retail, Hospitality and Nursery sector and the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) for wider business support. The Government reimbursed the lost income by way of S31 grants, however, this is not collection fund income and therefore is shown in the revenue accounts of the relevant authority. Amounts relating to the Council are shown in Note 7.

5. Non-Domestic Rates Surplus

At 31 March 2022 the actual outturn for the Collection Fund NDR was a deficit of £12.4m (2020/21 £14.5 deficit) which is then distributed to the preceptors as detailed in the following table.

NDR collection fund

2020/21 £’000	Description	2021/22 £’000
(7,248)	Nottinghamshire County Council	(6,221)
(5,798)	Nottinghamshire Police Authority	(4,977)
(1,304)	Nottinghamshire Fire Authority	(1,120)
(145)	Rushcliffe Borough Council	(124)
(14,495)	Total	(12,442)

 

H. Rushcliffe Borough Council Group Consolidated Accounts

Introduction

The Council is required under the Local Government Act 2003 to produce a set of Group Accounts where it has subsidiaries, joint ventures or associates. The criteria for deciding if the Council has such relationships is laid down by the Code. The Code has been developed to bring authority accounts in line with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which other reporting bodies have to comply with and to assist users of the accounts to understand better the Council’s overall financial position.

The Council has undertaken a review of all of its relationships with other bodies and is required to consolidate its accounts with:

• Streetwise Environmental Ltd
• Streetwise Environmental Trading Ltd

Both companies are 100% owned by the parent company Rushcliffe Enterprise Ltd which in turn is 100% owned by Rushcliffe Borough Council. The consolidation has been done on an acquisition basis as Rushcliffe Enterprise Ltd is 100% owned by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

• Rushcliffe Enterprises Ltd. As referred to in Note 38.

Rushcliffe Enterprise Ltd produce a set of company accounts with a year end of 31 March. The accounts which have been consolidated here have been audited by Mazars and have been given an unqualified audit opinion.

In early 2022 the Council agreed to bring back in-house the Streetwise function from 1 September 2022. Group accounts will no longer be required after the 2021/22 accounts.

Accounting Policies

The accounting policies of the two organisations have been examined and the accounting policies of Streetwise Environmental Ltd do not differ materially from those used by Rushcliffe Borough Council so have no impact on the Group Accounts produced below. However, Streetwise Environmental Ltd depreciates vehicles on a reducing balance basis whereas the Council depreciate vehicles on a straight-line basis.

Group Accounts

Note 1 Group Movement In Reserves Statement (MIRS)

Group Movement In Reserves Statement - 2021-22

2021/22	General Fund Balance £'000	Earmarked GF Reserves £'000	Capital Receipts Reserve £'000	Capital Grants Unapplied £'000	Total Usable Reserves £'000	Unusable Reserves £'000	Total Council Reserves £'000	Council’s Share of Subsidiary Reserves £'000	Total Reserves £'000
Balance at 31 March 2021	2,604	22,365	494	364	25,827	4,114	29,941	(182)	29,759
Post Audit Adjustment to Subsidiary Reserves	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	(12)	(12)
Movement in Reserves during 2021/22:	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
(Surplus) or deficit on the provision of services	7,010	-	-	-	7,010	-	7,010	(44)	6,966
Other Comprehensive Income & Expenditure	-	-	-	-	0	11,263	11,263	325	11,588
Other Recognisable Gains(Losses)	-	-	-	-	-	0	0	-	0
Total Comprehensive Income & Expenditure	7,010	0	0	0	7,010	11,263	14,205	281	18,273
Adjustments between Group accounts and authority accounts	-	-	-	-	0	-	0	-	0
Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis under regulations	(5,800)	-	331	(204)	(5,673)	5,673	0	-	0
Net (Increase)/ Decrease before Transfers to Earmarked Reserves	1,123	0	331	(204)	1,337	16,936	18,273	281	18,554
Transfers to/(from) earmarked reserves	(1,210)	1,210	-	-	0	0	0	-	0
(Increase)/ Decrease in 2021/22	0	1,210	331	(204)	1,337	16,936	18,273	281	18,554
Balance at 31 March 2022 Carried Forward	2,604	23,575	825	160	27,164	21,050	48,214	87	48,301

 

Group Movement In Reserves Statement - 2020-21

 

Group Movement In Reserves Statement - 2020-21

2020/21	General Fund Balance £'000	Earmarked GF Reserves £'000	Capital Receipts Reserve £'000	Capital Grants Unapplied £'000	Total Usable Reserves £'000	Unusable Reserves £'000	Total Council Reserves £'000	Council’s Share of Subsidiary Reserves £'000	Total Reserves £'000
Balance at 31 March 2020	2,604	13,473	3,538	220	19,835	17,030	36,865	78	36,943
Post Audit Adjustment to Subsidiary Reserves	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	(14)	(14)
Movement in Reserves during 2020/21:	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
(Surplus) or deficit on the provision of services	5,791	-	-	-	5,791	-	5,791	0	5,791
Other Comprehensive Income & Expenditure	-	-	-	-	0	(12,343)	(12,343)	(246)	(12,589)
Other recognisable Gains/(Losses)	-	-	-	-	-	(372)	(372)	-	(372)
Total Comprehensive Income & Expenditure	5,791	0	0	0	5,791	(12,715)	(6,924)	(246)	(7,170)
Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis under regulations	3,101	-	(3,044)	144	201	(201)	0	-	0
Net (Increase)/ Decrease before Transfers to Earmarked Reserves	8,892	0	(3,044)	144	5,992	(12,916)	(6,924)	(246)	(7,170)
Transfers to/(from) earmarked reserves	(8,892)	8,892	-	-	0	0	0	-	0
(Increase)/ Decrease in 2020/21	0	8,892	(3,044)	144	5,992	(12,916)	(6,924)	(246)	(7,170)
Balance at 31 March 2021 Carried Forward	2,604	22,365	494	364	25,827	4,114	29,941	(182)	29,759

Note 2 Group Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement

Group Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement

2020/21 Gross Exp £'000	2020/21 Gross Inc £'000	2020/21 Net Exp £'000	Description	2021/22 Gross Exp £'000	2021/22 Gross Inc £'000	2021/22 Net Exp £'000
1,934	(43)	1,891	Chief Execs	2,033	(38)	1,995
3,120	(1,626)	1,494	Development & Economic Growth	3,465	(1,707)	1,758
18,660	(14,666)	3,994	Finance & Corporate Services	17,748	(13,264)	4,484
14,195	(6,563)	7,632	Neighbourhoods	15,199	(7,639)	7,560
37,909	(22,898)	15,011	Cost of Services (Note 5a)	38,445	(22,648)	15,797
3,212	-	3,212	Other Operating Expenditure	-	(73)	(73)
25	(904)	(879)	Financing & Investment Income & Expenditure	35	(790)	(755)
-	-	(23,010)	Taxation & Non-Specific Grant Income	-	(21,916)	(21,916)
41,146	(46,812)	(5,666)	(Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services	38,480	(45,427)	(6,947)
-	-	(27)	Tax expenses of subsidiaries	-	-	(19)
-	-	(5,693)	Group (Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services	-	-	(6,966)
-	-	(721)	Surplus or deficit on revaluation of non-current assets	-	-	(1,696)
-	-	0	Available for Sale Financial Instruments	-	-	-
-	-	14,479	Actuarial gains/losses on pension assets/liabilities	-	-	(9,892)
-	-	(895)	Other recognisable (Gains) / Losses	-	-	-
-	-	12,863	Other Comprehensive Income & Expenditure	-	-	(11,588)
-	-	7,170	Total Comprehensive Income & Expenditure (Note 5b)	-	-	(18,554)

 

Note 3 Group Balance Sheet

Group Balance Sheet

31 March 2021 £’000	Description	31 March 2022 £’000
46,273	Property, Plant and Equipment	58,491
88	Heritage Assets	114
29,127	Investment Property	30,753
12,749	Long Term Investments	15,222
221	Intangible Assets	190
2,570	Long Term Debtors	2,062
91,028	Long Term Assets	106,832
4,586	Assets Held for Sale	0
15,000	Short Term Investments	13,000
87	Inventories	62
8,133	Short Term Debtors	9,536
19,899	Cash & Cash Equivalents	40,340
47,705	Current Assets	62,938
(17,994)	Short Term Creditors	(25,531)
(17,994)	Current Liabilities	(25,531)
(3,600)	Long Term Provisions	(3,600)
(22,340)	Capital Grants Receipts in Advance	(35,395)
(65,041)	Pension Liability	(58,563)
0	Deferred Tax Liability	0
0	Long Term Creditors	(8)
(90,981)	Long Term Liabilities	(95,938)
29,758	Net Assets	48,301
494	Usable Capital Receipts Reserve	825
2,604	General Fund Balance	2,604
22,365	Earmarked Reserve	23,575
364	Capital Grants Unapplied	160
(182)	Profit & Loss Reserve	87
25,645	Usable Reserves	27,251
4,114	Unusable Reserves	21,050
29,759	Total Reserves	48,301

Note 4 Group Cashflow Statement (Indirect Method)

Group Cashflow Statement (Indirect Method)

2020/21 £’000	Description	2021/22 £’000
(5,693)	Group Net (surplus) or deficit on the provision of services	(6,966)
-	Post Audit adjustment to Subsidiary surplus	-
(15,273)	Adjustments to net surplus or deficit on the provision of services for non-cash movements	(15,266)
4,545	Adjustments for items included in the net surplus or deficit on the provision of services that are investing and financing activities	9,081
(16,421)	Net cash flows from Operating Activities	(13,151)
(3,580)	Investing Activities	(6,873)
5,634	Financing Activities	(417)
(14,367)	Net increase or (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(20,441)
(5,532)	Cash & Cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period	(19,899)
(19,899)	Cash & Cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period	(40,340)

Note 5 Group Inter Company Transactions

The Group Accounts exclude transactions between the two organisations as this ensures that expenditure and income is only recorded once within the accounts. The elements of the accounts that have been adjusted for inter-company transactions are detailed below:

a. Group Cost of Services and Group Position on Provision of Services

Group Cost of Services and Group Position on Provision of Services

2020/21 RBC Adjusted £'000	2020/21 Streetwise Environmental Ltd Adjusted £'000	2020/21 Group £'000	Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement	2021/22 RBC Adjusted £'000	2021/22 Streetwise Environmental Ltd Adjusted £'000	2021/22 Group £'000
13,232	1,778	15,010	(Surplus)/Deficit on Continuing Operations	14,062	1,735	15,797
3,212	0	3,212	Other Operating Expenditure	(73)	0	(73)
(904)	26	(878)	Financing & Investment Income & Expenditure	(790)	35	(755)
(23,010)	0	(23,010)	Taxation & Non-Specific Grant Income	(21,916)	0	(21,916)
(7,470)	1,804	(5,666)	(Surplus)/Deficit on Provision of Services	(8,717)	1,770	(6,947)

b. Reconciliation of the Single Entity (Surplus)/Deficit to the Group (Surplus)/Deficit

Reconciliation of the Single Entity (Surplus)/Deficit to the Group (Surplus)/Deficit

2020/21 £'000	Description	2021/22 £'000
6,924	(Surplus)/Deficit on the Council's Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement	(18,273)
(1,678)	Adjustments for transactions with other group entities	(1,707)
5,246	(Surplus)/Deficit in the Group Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement attributable to the Council	(19,980)
1,924	(Surplus)/Deficit in the Group Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement attributable to the Group subsidiaries (adjusted for inter group transactions)	1,426
7,170	(Surplus)/Deficit for the year on the Group Comprehensive Income & Expenditure Statement	(18,554)

c. Group Transactions in relation to Debtors, Creditors, Provisions and Investments

Group Transactions in relation to Debtors, Creditors, Provisions and Investments

2021/22 Balance Sheet	RBC	Streetwise Environmental Ltd	Adjustment	Group
Fixed Assets - PPE	57,949,950	540,597	0	58,490,547
Long term debtors	2,240,127	955,000	(1,132,588)	2,062,539
Short term debtors	9,386,912	319,663	(170,469)	9,536,106
Short term borrowing	0	(123,396)	123,396	0
Long term investments	15,222,481	0	0	15,222,481
Short term investments	13,00,000	0	0	13,000,000
Short term creditors	(25,072,127)	(506,224)	47,073	(25,531,278)
Long term creditors	0	(185,299)	177,588	(7,711)
Long term provisions	(2,926,870)	0	955,000	(1,971,870)

The elimination of £1.133m Streetwise Long-Term Debtors relates mainly to the RBC pension liability for Streetwise staff pre-company formation (£955k), reducing long term provision for RBC. The remaining £178k is being the remnants of long-term loans to Streetwise.

The elimination of of £170k Short Term Debtors - includes the opposite entry to remove Short term creditors plus removal of £123k short term loan to Streetwise.

Debtors balance sheet

2020/21 Balance Sheet	RBC £'000	Streetwise Environmental Ltd £'000	Adjustment £'000	Group £'000
Fixed Assets - PPE	42,725	548	0	46,273
Long term debtors	2,570	955	(1,256)	12,749
Short term debtors	7,789	511	(166)	8,134
Short term borrowing	0	(127)	127	0
Long term investments	2,570	0	0	2,570
Short term investments	15,000	0	0	15,000
Short term creditors	(17,402)	(631)	39	(17,994)
Long term creditors	0	(301)	301	0
Long term provisions	(4,555)	0	955	(3,600)

 

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I. Glossary of Terms

Accounting Period

This is the length of time covered by the accounts. It is a period of twelve months commencing on 1 April and ending on 31 March.

Accruals

Income or expenditure relating to goods or services received / provided during the accounting period where payment has not been made or received at the end of the accounting period.

Actuarial Assumptions

Assumptions made by the Pension Fund Authority in valuing the funds’ assets and liabilities.

Actuarial Gains and Losses

For a defined benefit pension scheme, the changes in actuarial deficits or surpluses that arise because:

• events have not coincided with the actuarial assumptions made at the last actuarial valuation
• the actuarial assumptions have changed.

Actuarial Valuation

An actuary undertakes a valuation by comparing the value of the pension scheme assets with its liabilities. The actuary then calculates how much needs to be paid into the scheme by the employer and members to ensure there will be adequate funds to pay the pensions when they become due.

Amortisation

This is a charge made to the service revenue accounts each year to reflect the reduction in the value of the assets used in the delivery of services.

Asset

An asset is something the Council owns. Assets can be either current or fixed.

A current asset is one that will be used or cease to have a material value by the end of the next financial year.

A non-current asset provides a benefit to the Council for a period greater than one year.

Augmentations (Pensions)

Payment to the pension scheme over and above normal scheme entitlements, usually as part of a redundancy or severance package.

Balance Sheet

A statement summarising the Council’s financial position at the end of the accounting period. The statement shows the Council’s assets and liabilities.

Billing Authority

Rushcliffe Borough Council is classed as a Billing Authority as it has the responsibility of collecting the Council Tax and non-domestic rates. It collects the Council Tax on behalf of the County Council, Fire, Police and Crime Commissioner and Parish Councils and the non-domestic rates on behalf of the central government.

Capital Expenditure

Expenditure on the acquisition or enhancement of a fixed asset, which adds to and not merely maintains the value of existing assets.

Capital Financing

Sources of money that have been used to finance the capital programme. The Council uses various methods to finance its capital expenditure, including direct financing, usable capital receipts, capital grants, revenue reserves and earmarked reserves.

Capital Financing Requirement (CFR)

The CFR represents the Council’s underlying need to borrow in order to finance its capital expenditure. It is the difference between the value of Total Fixed Assets in the balance sheet and the Revaluation and Capital Financing Accounts. This represents the propensity of the authority to borrow for capital purposes and is the basis for the minimum revenue provision charge to the revenue account.

Capital Adjustment Account

This account contains the amount that was required to be set aside from the capital receipts and the amount of capital expenditure financed from revenue and capital receipts. It also contains the difference between amounts provided for depreciation and the amount that must be set aside from revenue for the repayment of external debt.

Capital Grants Unapplied

These are capital grants that the Council has received, where the conditions of the grant have been satisfied, that have yet to be used to finance capital expenditure.

Capital Programme

The planned capital schemes the Council intends to carry out over a specified period of time.

Capital Receipts

Proceeds arising from the sale of fixed assets (such as land and buildings) and repayments of the principle elements of capital loans. The Council can use the proceeds from capital receipts to finance new capital investments, the proceeds cannot be used to finance revenue expenditure.

Cash Flow Statement (Indirect Method)

The indirect method adjusts net income from an accrual to a cash basis by adding back non-cash expenses and adjusts net income for changes between the starting and ending account balances in current assets (excluding cash) and current liabilities for the period.

CIPFA - Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

Professional accountancy body specialising in the public sector.

Collection Fund

A separate fund recording the income and expenditure relating to Council Tax and Business Rates.

Contingent Liabilities/ Assets

A contingent liability / asset is either:

• a possible obligation arising from past events whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the Council’s control, or
• a present obligation arising from past events where it is not probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required or the amount cannot be measured with sufficient reliability.

Creditors

Amounts owed by the Council for goods or services they have received for which payment has not been made.

Current Service Cost (Pensions)

The increase in the present value of a defined benefit schemes' liabilities.

Debtors

Amounts owed to the Council for goods or services the Council has provided for which payment has not been received.

DEFRA

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Depreciation

This is a charge made to the service revenue accounts each year to reflect the reduction in the value of the asset used in delivery of services.

DLUHC

Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

DWP

Department of Work and Pensions.

Expenditure and Funding Analysis

The Expenditure and Funding Analysis shows how annual expenditure is used and funded from resources by local authorities in comparison with those resources consumed or earned by authorities in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices.

Finance Lease

This is a lease that transfers substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership of a fixed asset to the lessee.

Financial Instrument

A financial instrument is any contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another. Most straight forward financial assets (debtors, bank deposits and investments) are covered, together with more complex ones not used by the Council (debt instruments with embedded swaps and options).

Government Grants

Grants made by the government towards either revenue or capital expenditure or to support the cost of provision of services. These grants may be specifically towards the cost of particular schemes or to support the revenue spend of the Council.

Gross Book Value

The historical cost or the revalued amount of the asset before depreciation.

Group Accounts

Group Accounts consolidate the financial results of the Council and its subsidiaries.

Historical Cost Adjustment

This is the difference between Historical Cost Depreciation and the actual depreciation charged calculated on re-valued assets.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Defined accounting standards that must be applied by all reporting entities to all financial statements in order to provide a true and fair view of the entity’s financial position, and a standardised method of comparison with financial statements of other entities. The Accounting Standards emanate from the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee (IFRIC).

Impairment

Where the value of fixed assets reduces below its carrying amount on the balance sheet.

Inventories

Items bought for consumption or resale, or raw materials, currently being held.

LAA

Local Area Agreement.

Liability

Where the Council owes payment to an individual or an organisation.

LSP

Local Strategic Partnership.

MHCLG

Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government.

Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP)

The minimum amount which must be charged to a Council’s CIES each year for the servicing of debt.

Net Book Value

This is the value of an asset that is on the balance sheet. It represents its historical re-valued cost less the accumulated depreciation of the asset.

Net Worth

The total value of an organisation expressed as total assets less total liabilities.

Non–Distributed Costs

Past service pension costs including settlements and curtailments which are not to be included in total individual service costs.

Non-Domestic Rates (NDR)

The Council collects Non-domestic rates for its area based on local rateable values multiplied by a national uniform rate. With the introduction of the Business Rates Retention Scheme on 1 April 2013, billing authorities act as agents and collect Non-domestic rates on behalf of major preceptors and central government.

Non-Operational Asset

Fixed assets held by the Council but are not directly occupied used or consumed in the delivery of services.

Nottinghamshire Business Rates Pool

As a result of the new business rates arrangements the Nottinghamshire Business Rates Pool was formed. This is administered by Nottinghamshire County Council and includes the seven Nottinghamshire Districts and Nottinghamshire County Council.

Operating Lease

A lease where the ownership of the asset remains with the lessor.

Operational Asset

Fixed assets held and occupied, used or consumed by the Council in the direct delivery of services.

Pooled Funds

Funds from many individual investors that are aggregated for the purposes of investment.

Precept

The levy made by precepting authorities on billing authorities, requiring the latter to collect income from taxpayers on their behalf.

Projected Unit Credit Method

Under the projected unit credit method, the obligation for long-term employee benefits is measured by calculating the present value of the expected future payments that will result from employee services provided to date.

Provisions

Liabilities or losses which are likely or certain to be incurred, but the amounts or the dates on which they will arise are uncertain.

Rateable Value (RV)

The annual assumed rental value of a property that is used for business purposes.

Realised Valuations

Any revaluations in the Revaluation Reserve relating to individual assets when they are disposed of are transferred to the Capital Adjustment Account and are referred to as Realised Valuations. This ensures the Revaluation Reserves balance represents revaluations on assets that the Council still holds.

Related Parties

The Council is required to disclose material transactions with related parties, bodies or individuals that have the potential to control or influence the Council or to be controlled or influenced by the Council.

REFCUS

Revenue Expenditure Funded by Capital Under Statute.

Renewable Energy Relief

The amount of non-domestic rates to be retained by the Council in respect of designated renewable energy projects.

Reserves

Funds set aside for expenditure in future years. Certain reserves have constraints on how they can be spent.

Revaluation Reserve

Records unrealised revaluation gains/ losses from holding fixed assets.

Revenue Expenditure

Expenditure on the day-to-day costs of providing services.

Revenue Income

Income from day-to-day provision of services.

Revenue Support Grant (RSG)

Grant from Central Government towards the cost of service provision.

S106

Developer contributions lodged under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

Soft Loan

A loan to an outside body at less than market rates.

Transfer Payments

Relates to payments for which no goods or services are received by the Council eg Rent Allowances.