Issue - meetings

Report ED18037

The Sub-Committee considered a report setting out the Portfolio Holder’s draft 2018/19 Budget which incorporated future cost pressures and initial draft budget saving options which had been reported to Executive on 10^th January 2018.  Executive were requesting that each PDS Committee consider the proposed initial draft budget saving and cost pressures for their Portfolio and report back to the next meeting of the Executive, prior to recommendations being made to Council on 2018/19 Council Tax Levels.

The Sub-Committee noted that significant changes had been seen in the universal offer in children’s services with the redesign of the youth service giving a much greater focus on statutory provision.  Key challenges remained in reducing children social care caseloads and improving practice to ensure that children and young people were safeguarded.  A range of actions were be undertaken to address these challenges.  The ongoing risk to the Children’s Service area was the complexity of children requiring a statutory service, the increase and identification of children subject to Child Sexual Exploitation, Missing and Gangs; and some late entrants to care with very complex histories that required specialist placements.

Members noted that the Social Work Act would have a financial and resource impact both in terms of the fact that Care Leavers would be supported by the Local Authority up to the age of 25, and also because any child living within Bromley who had been adopted could expect to be supported by the Virtual School. 

RESOLVED: That the Education, Children and Families Portfolio Draft Budget 2018/19 be noted.