Appendix 2(j)
59
Budget Development Process 2011/12 -2013/14
Savings/Income Generation Options
Savings Option
Outdoor Activities Service
Directorate
Community and Customer Services
Service Area & ABB Link
Leisure and Sport
Narrative Description of Savings Option
 Currently the total controllable revenue budget for the delivery of outdoor activities is
£369,000 per annum.
 The service level agreement with School Services focuses on supporting the curriculum
using the resources and expertise of the Outdoor Activities team.
 Leisure and sport currently deliver a community programme predominantly during the
school holiday periods.
The proposal would be to:
 The proposed way forward / savings option is to streamline the current in-house service
both in terms of property and staffing and to make available the primary schools delivery
to the private sector as well as the total community programme.
 Cease residential provision at Stronord Outdoor Centre and as a consequence close the
facility. The revenue budget associated with operating Stronord would be identified as a
saving. If DGC were to continue to operate from Stronord the latest indication of capital
investment required would be in excess of £175k, and this would have to be identified
from within existing resources. All schools who had booked Stronord for residential
outdoor activities have been accommodated at Carlinwark Outdoor Activity Centre.
 Amend the timetabling priorities within the Schools Services Service level Agreement to
reflect reprioritised service delivery. (Secondary standard grade provision).
Savings/Income Generation Option Amounts
2011/12:
£93,000
2012/13:
£93,000
2013/14:
£93,000
Details on the Calculation of Savings Option Amounts
Saving Option
Staffing redesign
£81,894
Stronord Closure
£24,752
106,646
Less loss of Income
£13,646
Total Savings
£93,000
Appendix 2(j)
59
Details on Staffing Implications and how this will be managed
Reduction in staffing compliment
 To realise the savings the staff compliment would require to be reduced from the existing
staffing levels.
Proposed Staffing redesign
On-costs
Outdoor activities Officer (FTE)
£28,000
currently vacant - £35,924
Outdoor Activities Instructor (FTE)
£24,855
currently vacant - £31,889
Cook (PT)
£10,975
opportunity to transfer to
Ryan Centre - £14,081
Total Savings
£63,830
£81,894
The remaining 4 outdoor activity instructors will focus only on delivering secondary
school outdoor activities.
 Closure of operations at Stronord Outdoor Centre would realise a gross savings of
£24,752. All residential and non residential courses currently delivered from Stronord can
be accommodated at Carlingwark Outdoor Centre. If Stronord remains open capital
investment circa £175k is required to guarantee continued use of the facility.
Issues/Concerns Regarding Deliverability of Indicated Savings
 This proposal has been developed in partnership with Education and allows for the inhouse Outdoor Activities team to continue to deliver certificated secondary school
curricular outdoor activities.
 Community Outdoor Activities and Primary School outdoor activities would be delivered
by the private sector who have confirmed the capacity to undertake this work. Primary
Schools will require to meet the costs associated with undertaking these activities.
Risk Effect Assessment
Effect on Service User
Potential Effect
3
As a result of implementing this budget saving, a reduced number of school pupils may have
access to certain aspects of the current outdoor activities they enjoy (specifically with regards
to residential experience)
Effect on Staff
Moderate risks in relation to quality in relation to reduced staffing levels.
Effect on Other Council Services
Minor impact on schools services (Curriculum for Excellence)
Effect on Council’s Agreed Priorities
Minor impact in relation to delivery on Curriculum for Excellence.
Effect on ability to attract External Funding
None
Total Potential Effect
2
2
1
1
9
Appendix 2(j)
59
Measures to Reduce/Address Risks and Minimise Any Negative Impacts
Treat
 Maintain a core competency of staff with appropriate qualifications to enable technical
Advisor status to remain.
 A minimum core outdoor activities staffing compliment is retained in order to meet the
minimum service requirements (Secondary school certified course – Priority 1 and core
secondary core PE – Priority 2).
 Maintain a single AALS license to ensure safety standards from a single locus
(Carlingwark – Stewartry).
 Ensure that external verification from the Adventurous Activities Licensing Service on an
annual basis.
 The community programme will be provided by private sector partners.
 By establishing strong working relationships with our private sector funding partners
together with a strong SLA we will be able to minimise the negative impact on
stakeholders.
Minimising Negative Impacts
 Work with private sector partners to continue to provide Outdoor Activities to Primary
Schools.
Impact Assessment Summary
Internal Assessment:
Impact Summary - 0 Positive Impacts, 7 Neutral Impacts, 3 Negative Impacts
Impact on Economic Sustainability – reduction in the number of people employed through
the service.
Impact on Social Sustainability – whilst activity provision will remain unchanged, support
services will be reduced
Impact on Environmental Sustainability – some groups will need to travel further to
access the service
Of the total saving (£93k), the financial implication of closing Stronord itself is minimal
(£11,106 (24,752 total exp - £13,646 income)) whereas the staffing redesign will account for
£81,894. The reduction in staff compliment and facility closure will result in substantial
savings combined (Total £93k) and the two elements are interlinked. As a result of staff
leaving the service two vacancies exist within the West of the region and so residential
bookings have been moved from Stronord to Carlingwark as a result. Outdoor Activities (not
residential) continue to be delivered in the West of the region within the Kirroughtree Forest.
Summary of Actions:
None