Statement on Expenditure for AiB: Q1 - Q4 for year 2015-16

Statements on expenditure under Section 31(1) and (2) of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 for the year ended 31 March 2016.

The statements on expenditure are split into the following areas:

• Public relations

• Overseas travel

• Hospitality and entertainment

• External consultancy

• Members or employees who received remuneration in excess of £150,000

• Individual payments with value in excess of £25,000

• Payments cumulatively in excess of £25,000

1. Public Relations
 

The expenditure relating to public relations is summarised under the following headings:

The role of the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AiB) is to deliver, with stakeholders, a range of options for individuals seeking debt relief and debt management.  This role places AiB uniquely at the centre of the sector in Scotland and how we engage with stakeholders is increasingly recognised as vital to that role.  Expenditure on Public Relations reflects the need to engage with stakeholders as part of AiB’s role.

Updates to the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Act 2014 came into effect on the 1^st April 2015 which prompted a spike in demand for updated publications in the first quarter of 2015/16.  AIB publications are printed and supplied on demand when requested by organisations within the debt management field.

Advertising costs relate to the promotion of a new system of debt advice, debt management and debt relief fit for the 21st century, under the umbrella of a 'Financial Health Service'.  The aim of this service is to ensure the people of Scotland have access to a fair and just process of debt advice, management and relief whilst protecting the needs of creditors.  As part of AiB’s effort to ensure access to debt solutions the Agency promotes awareness of statutory debt relief and debt management products so that those in financial difficulties are signposted to where they can go for help.  A media campaign was undertaken in quarter 4 including television, digital and press advertising.

2. Overseas Travel 
 

Overseas travel in quarters 1 and 2 relates to advance booking of accommodation and flights and subsequent travel expenses for the Agency Chief Executive’s attendance at the International Association of Insolvency Regulators annual conference.

3. Hospitality and entertainment

4. External consultancy  
 

Consultancy services were used in quarter 4 as part of a scoping exercise to consider the replacement of the office air conditioning system.

5. Members or employees who received remuneration in excess of £150,000
 

AiB has no members or employees who received remuneration in excess of £150,000 per annum.

6. Individual payments with value in excess of £25,000

(1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016)

Notes

Facilities Management – payments to contracted supplier to maintain AIB’s property and provide services during the administration of sequestration cases.

Grant Funding – Scottish Government sponsorship funding paid to Money Advice Scotland, Money Advice Trust and Citizens Advice Scotland.

IT Development and Support - payments to contracted IT Specialists to maintain and help in the development of AIB’s IT systems.

Legal Services – payments to solicitors working on our behalf providing specialist support during the administration of sequestration cases.

Insolvency Services – payments to agents to administer sequestration cases where AiB is appointed as the trustee, but the case is not being administered in-house.

Service Charges and System Support – service charges and helpdesk support in relation to a third party online banking facility, utilised by AIB.

Marketing – payments to suppliers for the design and production of advertising material to promote AIB’s products and for advertising space in the media.

7. Payments cumulatively in excess of £25,000

(1 April 2015 to 31 March 2016)

These cumulative values will include individual payments listed in section 6:

Notes

Surveyor fees – payments to surveyors working on our behalf to provide specialist services during the administration of sequestration cases.

Sheriff officer fees – payments to sheriff officers working on our behalf to provide specialist services during the administration of sequestration cases.