Performance Improvement Plan self-assessment report 2024-2025

The Statement of Accounts sets out our annual financial performance. These accounts are audited and scrutinised by the Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO).  Despite the challenging financial position faced by the council going into 2024-2025, we worked to deliver the financial strategy for 2024-2025. We reported a £2.55million underspend¹³ in service delivery at the end of 2024-2025, in comparison to a £48,000 underspend at the end of 2023-2024. The savings allowed us to reallocate to growth areas to allow us to meet priorities in 2025-2026.  

Key achievements and improvements include: 

• we maintained proper arrangements to secure economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the use of our resources for at least the preceding four years (NIAO Annual Audit Letter).
• we were identified as being financially resilient (NIAO Annual Audit Letter 2023-2024).
• we produced financial statements which were certified without qualification for at least the last four years (Belfast City Council Financial reports).
• we maintained an adequate and effective framework of governance, risk management and control for the preceding four years (Annual Governance Statement).
• we achieved a Certificate of Compliance from the NIAO in recognition of our performance improvement and reporting duties.  

Footnote

¹³ Annual statement of accounts 2024-2025 will be published online by 30 September 2025.