Issue - meetings

To consider PowerPoint presentation.

Note – the Chair will allow 15 minutes for this agenda item.

The Committee received a presentation which provided an update on the budget position for Children’s Services – Month 4 (2024/25).

The Council is asking for views on proposals which aim to ensure provision for children with additional needs – the consultation runs to 18 October 2024 and will be discussed at the October meeting of the Committee.

The DSG Deficit Management Plan will be considered at a future meeting of the Committee.

The Committee noted the update position.

The Committee received a presentation from the Council’s Service Managers, Jo Currie and Siobhan Cleverley who provided an update on the budget position for Children’s Services – Month 4 (2024/25). This shows a £6.4m forecast overspend (4.5% of budget) and the overspend predominantly relates to external placements (residential / unregistered), education cost pressures, DSG High Needs Block.

The Committee discussed the presentation in detail and the following points were raised and responded to:-

·      provided an update on the situation with regard to the Homes and Horizons project and homes 6 and 7 had opened very recently which will help the situation; there are still some issues regarding officer capacity as mentioned previously. The department for example is now funding a Planning Officer post (a 6 month post) as a pragmatic approach to a very difficult problem.

·      residential care costs are increasing for all authorities – which is why the Council is seeking to develop its own provision to help manage the situation but is a very difficult market – having additional foster carer will greatly help as well.

·      16+ accommodation, the lack of social housing and private rented accommodation to ‘move out to’ -  a note will be shared providing more information to the Committee on this.

·      the Council is asking for views on proposals which aim to ensure provision for children with additional needs – the consultation runs to 18 October 2024 and this will be discussed at the October meeting of the Committee.

·      in view of the significance of the issue, the DSG Deficit Management Plan will be considered at a future meeting of the Committee and if this should be ahead of consideration by the Executive – and will consider holding an extraordinary meeting of the Committee if necessary.

In conclusion, the Chair thanked members for their engagement and questions and thanked officers for the presentation and for the detailed responses. The Homes and Horizons work is positive but the budget situation continues to be troublesome and will continue to be so.

The Committee noted the update position on the budget.