Members of the Committee are requested to bring their copy of the agenda for the Executive meeting on 19th July 2017.
Minutes:
The Committee looked at the following reports on the Part 1 agenda for the Executive meeting on 19th July 2017.
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(5) Progress in Implementing Children's Services Improvements - Oral Update
The Chief Executive and the Interim Director, Children's Social Care provided a brief progress update and responded to Member questions. The Deputy Chief Executive/ Executive Director ECHS had sent apologies for not being able to attend.
To re-assure Members over budgetary concerns, confidence was expressed that children’s services would achieve a balanced budget at year end. The injection of funds provided would assist the service during 2017/18 and 2018/19. A clear improvement plan had been agreed with Ofsted which was on track for delivery. Some placements are complex but value for money was being achieved with the service safeguarding children. Proposals were also being taken forward with fostering agencies (who would become the preferred provider list) and the whole review process was being considered along with commissioning. Agency staff were also being recruited to permanent status and within 18 months to three years it would be possible to see more quality from the service, better intervention, and improved identification of needs. There would be a stronger approach by social workers. The only concern that could cause tension for the budget related to the occurrence of any difficult cases with particularly exceptional circumstances. Children’s Services looked to manage budgetary risks as much as possible including the potential for cases going to court. Some contingency arrangements were in place and early intervention was also helpful to reduce difficult circumstances arising. However, the position could only be managed to a point and private law cases related to child safeguarding could be taken to the family court, such cases often causing significant expense.
For each child placed into care it was suggested that an analysis is needed of the reason for care placement and it was confirmed that such information would be presented to the Children’s Service Improvement Governance Board. It was also highlighted that should a large variance occur, Members would prefer to be advised as soon as possible. |
(6) Budget Monitoring 2017/18
Report FSD17065
Members considered the first 2017/18 budget monitoring report to Executive based on expenditure and activity to 31st May 2017.
Current projections showed an overall net overspend of £1,623k on portfolio budgets and a £200k credit variation on central items. A detailed breakdown was included of the latest approved budgets and projected outturn for each Portfolio along with an analysis of variations. Allocations from and variations in the 2017/18 Central Contingency were also detailed.
Members supported the recommendations to Executive. Noting current variations for the Care Services and Education and Children’s Services Portfolios, concern was expressed for the budget position in a further four years. With Children’s Services considered under the previous Executive item, the relationship with Bromley CCG was highlighted for adult care and health with L B Bromley helping to facilitate a quicker release of hospital beds through improved social care initiatives. Anticipated policy changes on provision for adults with learning disabilities was also explained; as an invest to save initiative, improvements could be made to the homes of service users through financial support (up to £1,000 per service user) with less reliance then placed upon costly care home provision.
An analysis was suggested to highlight the percentage of each age group needing adult care support with projections undertaken for the next five years. In particular, and given a growth in the very elderly, the Member asked whether the current budget projection was accurate. It was explained that the longer the stay in hospital the more costly it was for the Council. A strategy was being developed to address future challenges in adult care for the elderly with work undertaken to forecast cost projections.
Given a projected shortfall in rent share from the Glades Shopping Centre, an enquiry was also made on the extent to which the Council can work with the new Glades owner, Alaska UK, to ensure that all retail units are rented.
RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.
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(7) Capital Programme Monitoring – 1st Quarter 2017/18 Report FSD17064
Report FSD17064 summarised the 2017/18 first quarter position on capital expenditure and receipts including the re-phasing of £12,504k from 2017/18 into future years. Executive was asked to agree a revised capital programme and approve a number of amendments to the programme (reports elsewhere on the agenda also requested certain amendments to the capital programme). Should the changes be approved, the total Capital Programme 2017/18 to 2020/21 would increase by £8,660k.
Details of variations were outlined as were details on the position of the Investment Fund and Growth Fund - Appendix D to Report FSD17064. An updated version of Appendix D had been circulated to all Members prior to the meeting.
A first update was also provided on the new earmarked reserve for commissioning feasibility works on potential property disposals - the value of the reserve currently remaining at £250k. An update was further provided on the position with capital Section 106 receipts (excluding commitments) - this being detailed under Part 2 of the meeting agenda.
The Council had also received from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) a capital allocation of £1,838k in Disabled Facilities Grant for 2017/18. Executive was asked to recommend the capital programme increase to Council. The funding provided for Renovation Grants under the Disabled Facilities Programme, enabling the provision of adaptations to the homes of people with disabilities, so helping independent and safe living and reducing admissions to hospital. The Chairman made reference to spending the sum early to invest and save.
RESOLVED that the report be noted including the recommendation at 2.1 (d) (i) related to the increased sum of Disabled Facilities Grant and spending early to invest and save.
(9) Locally Administered Business Rates Relief Scheme Report FSD17040
Results from the consultation exercise (between 13th June and 30th June 2017) on the proposed Business Rates relief scheme were outlined with the Executive recommended to adopt the proposed scheme detailed in Report FSD17040.
Should the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) permit the transfer of funds between years, it was also recommended that a review of the scheme be undertaken in 2018/19 concerning the level of assistance that can be provided from 2019/20 and 2020/21.
Members supported the recommendations. Should the Executive approve the proposed scheme and the Council moves ahead to implement, a Member enquired of arrangements for publicising the scheme. Members were advised that it is possible to identify which businesses would qualify for relief and make contact with those businesses. It was also confirmed that contact could be made with the Business Improvement Districts (BIDS) and Business Associations. It was understood that Orpington BIDS had already contacted businesses in their area about the scheme.
RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.
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(18A) Safeguarding – SLAM
Report CS18041
Following the introduction of the Care Act 2014 and additional safeguarding responsibilities for the Council, safeguarding had been reviewed (with particular reference to the Bethlem Royal Hospital site provided by South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust). In relation to mental health, current gaps existed in provision to manage safeguarding investigations effectively within community and hospital settings.
L B Bromley had responsibility for managing and where appropriate, investigating all Adult Safeguarding referrals from all organisations within the borough and those that come through to the Council’s early intervention service. Of the mental health hospitals in the borough, Oxleas were managing safeguarding in Green Parks House only – the Council having an agreed S75 policy for this.
To create a safe holding position, additional resources were required for ongoing work with Oxleas and SLAM, and as an interim measure a small team was to be created to manage Mental Health (MH) safeguarding casework ensuring that L B Bromley is compliant with safeguarding duties and delegations. Details were provided of staff grades and costs for the team with approval sought to draw-down resources for L B Bromley to be compliant with responsibilities under the Care Act 2014. In the first instance funding would come from the Improved Better Care Fund (IBCF) but as the funding is time limited, consideration was necessary for longer term funding of the project.
The report had not previously been considered by the Care Services PDS Committee. The Chairman sought a more comprehensive update at the Executive meeting - the recommendation in the report being accepted subject to the provision of more information to Members.
RESOLVED that the recommendation be supported (in principle) subject to more comprehensive information being provided for the Executive meeting.