Statement on Expenditure for AiB: Q1 - Q4 for year 2014-15

Statements on expenditure under Section 31(1) and (2) of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 for the quarter ended 31 March 2015. Figures in sections 1 – 4 are exclusive of VAT where that VAT is eligible for recovery and represent the impact on AiB’s budget.

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.  Expenditure on Public Relations reflects the need to engage with stakeholders as part of that role.

Printing and publications costs increased in quarters 2 and 3 resulting from the publication of various regulations and guidance as provided for in the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) (BADAS) Act 2014.  Web-site costs increased in quarter 4 due to the purchase of imagery and copywriting for the ‘Financial Health Service’ website (see next paragraph).

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 quarter 1 relates to the advance booking of accommodation for two members of staff hosting the International Association of Insolvency Regulators (IAIR) conference held in Washington DC in September 2014 and chaired by the AIB Chief Executive.  It also includes travel and subsistence costs incurred in attending a meeting in June of the “IAIR 5 Nations” group which was held in Jersey. The overseas costs in quarters 2 and 3 relate to travel and subsistence expenses incurred during the trip to Washington DC for the IAIR conference.

3. Hospitality and entertainment

4. External consultancy  
 

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 2014 to 31 March 2015)

Please note the figures in sections 6 and 7 are inclusive of VAT and represent the total amount paid..

Notes

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.

Grant Funding – Scottish Government sponsorship funding paid to Money Advice Scotland, Money Advice Trust and Citizens Advice Scotland. These payments are made by AIB but fully funded by the Scottish Government.

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

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

Product Advertising – 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 2014 to 31 March 2015)

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

Notes

Chartered 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.

Bank Charges – includes transaction charges for deposits and payments into sequestration accounts, WorldPay card processing charges and service charges in relation to a third party online banking facility, utilised by AIB.