Satisfactory start to year achieved

Palmerston North City Council has achieved an operating budget surplus for the first quarter of the 2014/15 financial year.

The Council has recorded a controllable surplus of $1.9m in the period to 30 September 2014.

Chief executive officer Paddy Clifford says several factors contributed to the variance including a reduced call for some expenditure, particularly maintenance-related with no adverse weather events; the delay of some planned expenditure (for both external and internal reasons); a reduced need for professional service costs; and, some grants not being incurred as yet.

“We had planned to have met most of these expenses either in full or in part by now. I expect most will be incurred over the remainder of the year plus the reduced call will be necessary to absorb unplanned expenditure such as for the mayoral by-election,” says Mr Clifford. “There has also been a small reduction in revenue, which we are monitoring.”

Chief financial officer Grant Elliott says it has been a good start to the 2014/15 financial year.

"While this is only the start to the year, and many of the reasons for the surplus are external, I do want to highlight the fact that Council management and officers are continuing their focus on expenditure reduction. I am proud of their efforts which are having an impact while still delivering the services required by our community.”

Financial accountant Keith Allan told Councillors at today's Finance and Performance Committee meeting that Capital Expenditure programmes valued at $3m have been incurred against the overall capital programme budget for the year of $42.4m.

Keith Allan says this pattern of expenditure is similar to previous years, reflecting the planning necessary before work can commence.

Copies of the Financial Report can be found in the Finance and Performance Committee Agenda at pncc.govt.nz.

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