Issue - meetings

To Follow.

Report CS17003

The Care Services Portfolio Holder introduced a report setting out the budget monitoring position for the Care Services Portfolio based on expenditure to the end of May 2016. 

The controllable budget was forecast to be in an overspend position of £3,333k following overspends across a number of services including Adult Social Care, Temporary Accommodation (Bed and Breakfast), Children’s Social Care and Commissioning which was due to a number of reasons including higher than expected demand for services and the need for further efficiency savings to be identified.

Members were advised that on 15^th June 2016, the Council’s Executive approved a number of carry forward requests for funding to be transferred into contingency for 2016/17.  These carry forward requests which totalled £861k related to either unspent grant income or delays in expenditure where cost pressures would follow through into 2016/17.

In considering the report, the Chairman was concerned at the increasing demand for Temporary Accommodation (Bed and Breakfast) and how this impacted on individuals.  A Member also noted the result of the recent EU Referendum and highlighted the need for contingency plans to be put in place.  The Head of Education, Care and Health Services Finance confirmed that implications of the EU Referendum result would be factored into the Care Services Portfolio budget as they were identified.

The Portfolio Holder for Care Services advised Members that a full range of Care Services provision continued to be delivered but that gateways had been strengthened to ensure that the available support was provided to those most in need.  Significant savings had been realised through commissioning services in previous years, however the majority of the most substantial savings had now been realised and further savings from this area would be more limited.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Note the latest projected overspend of £3,333k forecast on the controllable budget, based on information as at May 2016;

2)  Note the full year effect of cost pressures of £4,241k for the Care Services Portfolio budget for 2016/17;

3)  Agree the release of carry forward amounts held in contingency relating to Adult Social Care Invest to Save schemes, Integration Funding – Better Care Fund, Better Care Fund and Adoption Reform Grant; and,

4)  Approve the Care Services Portfolio Budget Monitoring Report 2016/17.