Report on Resources

		2003/04 Resource Summary

Core Business Variance Explanations

The annual budget is based on core business assumptions contained in the ministry's three-year service plan. The plan was based on forecasts of expenditure and caseload trends, plus anticipated impacts of legislation, policy and program changes. The variances between the total estimated and the actual expenditures for each Core Business reflect fluctuations primarily in caseload and program demand. The ministry met its overall budget target for the 2003/04 fiscal year.

Community Living Services (CLS)

The over expenditure of $25.8 million (or 5 per cent of the CLS budget) reflects:

• the increase in the number of adults with developmental disabilities served; and
• the increased age-related health and safety needs of the adults with developmental disabilities served.

Child and Family Development (CFD)

The under expenditure of $32.6 million (or 4 per cent of the CFD budget) was due to:

• the greater than expected reduction in the number of children coming into care; and
• increased use of less costly "out of care" options.

Provincial Services

The under expenditure of $13.0 million (or 12 per cent of the Provincial Services budget) was primarily due to declining counts of youth in custody.

Executive and Support Services

The under expenditure of $1.5 million (or 8 per cent of the Executive and Support Services budget) was due to:

• reduced infrastructure costs; and
• more focused use of corporate resources.

Capital Expenditures

The under expenditure of $11.3 million (or 66 per cent of the Capital Expenditures budget) was due to changing priorities in the information technology capital plan.