Agenda and draft minutes

Contact: Lisa Richards 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2.

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of interest from Members.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

3.

Disclosure of Party Whips

To receive disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

 

(NB:  Members are reminded that, under Section 78, Members having been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on a matter before the Committee.)

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of party whips.

4.

Draft Budget 2021-22 pdf icon PDF 815 KB

To consider the draft budget in relation to Children’s and Adult Services

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance 

·         Medium Term Financial Strategy

·         Finance Resource Model

·         Cost Reductions

·         Report and Register – Fees and Charges

·         Capital Strategy and Treasury Management

·         Reserves Policy

·         Residents’ Survey

·         Children’s Services Impact Assessments

·         Adult Services Impact Assessments

 

Discussion:

·         Member’s expressed dissatisfaction at the length of time available to undertake scrutiny of two significant budgets.

 

Children’s Services

·         The pandemic has led to increased demand at the front door and a sharp rise in the number of Children Looked After (CLA).  Whilst this number is starting to reduce, it is likely to rise again when lockdown finishes.

·         The budget is projected to be £1.3M overspent at year end and this is directly attributable to an additional 20 CLA

·         Cost reductions of £3M had been agreed and this remained one of the biggest challenges for the service

·         The Service has over delivered on reducing high level interventions

·         The ability to recruit has been hampered by the pandemic and there continues to be a reliance on agency staff

·         The ‘Grow Our Own’ programme is going well but is not a ‘quick fix’

·         The Committee noted that a budget management reserve had been established to mitigate any risks within the budget.  This is held corporately.

·         The question of whether a pandemic or similar event should be included in the risk register was debated.  This was a matter for consideration corporately.

·         Prevention work continues alongside managing the current crisis.  The effects of the pandemic are likely to continue for some time and ongoing discussions with health colleagues are in hand.

·         The budget was double that of three to four years ago.  There had been considerable investment in the service since the CIW Inspection and a vastly improved service was being provided.  However, this level of budget was not considered to be sustainable and there appears to be no prospect of the budget subsiding to lower levels.  There was concern that this level of budget was now the accepted level.  Powys spends more pro rata than other authorities in Wales and it was considered that detailed explanations of this should be given.

·         Proposed reductions in Leaving Care were considered to be risky

·         If savings are not achieved this poses a risk to future budgets

·         Significant improvements have been achieved within the service, and by doing the right thing at the right time, cost efficiencies will naturally ensue

·         Legacy issues remain of bringing children and young people into placements closer to home but achieving the right mix of placements closer to home is a long-term strategy

·         It was necessary to move forward to develop the service in the long term for the benefit of all.  As Corporate Parents, Members had a significant role to play and carried the responsibility for this.

·         The Portfolio Holder and Chair have discussed a number of issues where further scrutiny would be of benefit.  A work programme will be developed as soon as the business returns to normal.

·         Concern was expressed that further efficiencies were to be achieved despite  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

4a

Children's Services - Impact Assessments pdf icon PDF 331 KB

Additional documents:

4b

Adult Services - Impact Assessments pdf icon PDF 303 KB

Additional documents:

5.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 371 KB

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record.

Minutes:

Documents:

·         Minutes of the last meeting held on 10 December 2020

 

Outcome:

·         The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record