Agenda item

Members of the Committee are requested to bring their copy of the agenda for the Executive meeting on 22nd March 2017.

The Committee looked at the following reports on the Part 1 agenda for the Executive meeting on 22^nd March 2017.

(5) Children’s Services Update

Members considered tabled figures outlining budget, spend and committed sums related to additional funding for Children’s Social Care.

Bromley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had confirmed it would provide £500k per annum for the next three years (total of £1.5m) to contribute towards funding for children with severe needs, including costs of residential care placements for children with severe autism. Within a sum of £2,093,000 committed for 2017/18 for the full year effect of 2016/17 pressures, allowance had been made for £500k from the CCG.

Clarification was sought on how the 2017/18 Children’s Social Care budget figure of £5,157,000 had been arrived at with some concern expressed that a lower budget figure could have been expected. The Chairman felt that greater drill-down into the figures was necessary with more detail and follow through on budget lines for increased clarity. Nevertheless, the Children’s Services budget was agreed within the overall Council budget for 2017/18 and estimating expected spend on placements (influenced by demand ) was difficult. If budgets on staffing and placements could be tracked, it should be possible to demonstrate a reduction in levels over time as the service becomes more efficient (with all necessary staff employed to the required level at this stage). Future updates would show details of staffing and placements as separate groupings. A main scrutiny focus needed to be on whether the care services overall budget was being over or under spent.   

RESOLVED that the tabled detail of additional funding for Children’s Social Care be noted.

(6)  Budget Monitoring 2016/17

Report FSD17034

Members considered the third budget monitoring position for 2016/17 based upon expenditure and activity to the end of December 2016.

On SEN transport, a significant cost pressure area, a thorough review of the budget was underway with reasons for overspend. With two separate vehicle fleets operated for Adults and Children, it was suggested that a significant saving could be made by combining the fleets - passenger vehicles could be used early morning e.g. 8am to transport children with special needs and later e.g. 9am to transport adults with needs. Such an option could perhaps be considered for contract renewal. SEN transport would also appear on the Contracts Register and be considered by the Commissioning Board including a commissioning strategy for the service. Commissioning would be a significant means for the Council to achieve efficiencies in meeting its budget deficit in future years (beyond 2018/19).

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported with a further recommendation added that consideration be given to a merger of the Adult Passenger and SEN transport vehicle fleets.

(9)  Operational Building Maintenance Budgets and Planned Programme 2017/18

Report DRR17/018

Report DRR17/018 set out the proposed maintenance budgets and planned programme for 2017/18. It also highlighted a number of budgetary pressures. Additional funding of £126k per annum was requested from Central Contingency (2017/18) to ensure sufficient funds for maintaining Council buildings and compliance with statutory requirements. Two major concerns identified by Amey (in delivering building maintenance) related to the Council’s regimes for water hygiene and cyclical maintenance.

Approval was also sought for (i) funding from the earmarked reserve in the Infrastructure and Investment Fund to install separate meters to the utility supplies at Churchill Theatre/Central Library to protect the Council’s VAT exemption status and (ii) carrying forward a sum of £113k from this year’s planned programme to 2017/18 concerning a reconstruction of brickwork to the Old Stable Wall at Central Depot.

For the Council’s tenanted portfolio, Amey had identified significant ambiguity in the interpretation of landlord/tenant responsibilities for some leases. Given the risk posed, Amey had commenced a review of leases. For any statutory need to cover additional costs a further report would seek funding through the 2017/18 Central Contingency Sum.      

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.

(16) Information Briefing

Members noted a progress update on the Crystal Palace Park Regeneration Plan including progress with the capital scheme on regenerating the park in line with the Masterplan vision (AECOM was now developing an implementation plan for a preferred option and a cost plan was also being developed for the delivery phase). Update details were also provided on a new form of governance for the park and a new park specific business model. Next steps related to the Regeneration Plan were also outlined.   

The Chairman preferred to see ambitious options for the park’s top site, looking to see what could be achieved. In this regard the Chairman wanted to see whether there is a list of “barriers” which could rule out certain considerations for the site.