COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 14, 2012

MOTION NO.13

MOTION: Councillor E. Coburn

That this council discuss with the aid of a report the impact of the public lighting overspend for 2011, the likely underforecast in the 2012 budget and the impact this will have for the overall 2012 budget spend.

REPORT:

The 2012 budget for Public Lighting was increased by 9.73% overall (when compared with the Revised 2011 budget) to cater for increases associated with energy costs and consumption.  The adopted budget of €4.625 (€4.215 Revised 2011) million is expected to adequately meet the expenditure requirements for this service in 2012 based on projected costs and including savings from a number of energy initiatives currently underway. However we will continue to manage and monitor costs in this area throughout the year. A six month review is planned for the end of June.

The 2011 budget was reduced as part of the revised budget process based on available information about costs and energy units consumed in 2010 and from January to August 2011.  The updated cost projections did not incorporate price adjustments which were later realised and which affected both the cost per unit consumed and standing charges.  The main reasons for the costs incurred additional to the revised budget for Public Lighting in 2011 are:- 

1. An increase to the energy per unit charge which affected the last four months of 2011.  Energy costs are billed on a two monthly basis so the additional costs manifested after the revised budget was finalised.  The per unit adjustment resulted in cost increases of €135,000 for 2011
2. The ESB applied an increase of 1.36 cent per unit to the standing charge which cost an additional €204,000 in 2011.
3. A sum of €130,000 paid in 2011 was properly chargeable to 2010, this arose due to late billing by the energy supplier.