Issue - meetings

Report CEF20005

The report provided the budget monitoring position for 2019/20 based on activity up to the end of December 2019.  The current position was an overspend of £1,332k. This position assumed that further management action would be taken throughout the year to at least maintain the current position. If this did not take place then the position may change.

In response to a question the Head of Children’s Services Finance confirmed that where there were savings resulting from staff vacancies it was anticipated that these vacancies would be filled.  The Assistant Director for Children’s Social Care reported that the Division currently had 80-85% permanent staff which represented a significant improvement on the position in previous years.  The Department was considering a number of initiatives – such as recruiting overseas staff – however there remained the ongoing national challenge of a lack of qualified social workers and the competition for staff that resulted from this.  Within the Department there was a constant drive and ambition to recruit permanent staff, however standards would not be compromised and it was important to recruit the right staff.  Members noted that staffing pressures remained in the “front door” teams within Children’s Social Care.

The Committee expressed concerns around processes for budget setting noting that none of the current budget pressures were new pressure for the Council.  Members expressed concern at having a budget that was constantly overspending and it was suggested that it would be better practice to set a realistic budget for the start of the financial year.  The Committee agreed to set up a Task and Finish Group to consider the issues around budget setting.  The following members agreed to sit on the Task and Finish Group:

Councillor Yvonne Bear

Councillor Neil Reddin

Councillor Kevin Brooks

Councillor Nicky Dykes

RESOLVED: That

1.  The Portfolio Holder be recommended to

a)  Note that the latest projected overspend of £1,332,000 forecast on the controllable budget, based on information as at December 2019.

b)  Recommend that the Executive approve the allocation of £365k from contingency for Tackling Troubled Families as set out in the report.

c)  Recommend that the Executive approve the allocation of £52k from contingency for Family Group Conferences as set out in the report.

d)  Recommend that the Executive approve the allocation of £79k from contingency for the refurbishment of North Lodge as set out in the report.

2.   A Budget Setting Task and Finish Group be established with the following Members sitting on the Group: Councillor Yvonne Bear, Councillor Neil Reddin, Councillor Kevin Brooks, Councillor Nicky Dykes.