None declared at the meeting.

Resolved: – That, the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Leader of the Council introduced the Integrated Performance and Financial Outturn Report for the first quarter of 2023/24 which summarised the Councils performance and financial position against the Strategic and Delivery Plans.

It was reported that the main challenges to the budget were; Children in Care pressures; SEND service; and Adult Social Care demands.  The estimated revenue forecast outturn overspend was £9.5m (£1.39%). 

The main issues discussed by members were:

·       Children and Families service remained an area of concern with costs and the number of Children in Care (CIC) continuing to rise.

·       The data on infrastructure investment; social care numbers and unemployment figures was positive. 

·       There was still no evidence to suggest that numbers of children requiring services was due to the pandemic and any stress and anxiety caused during that time.

·       Benchmarking against other local authorities showed that the County was lower than the regional rate but higher than national.  It was explained that regional neighbours with higher rates affected the figures locally and the county was keen to get the numbers down to below the national average.  However, the service was driven by the child’s need, not numbers.

·       The number of Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP) issued had continued to rise.  Additional funding to ensure plans were carried out within timescales and reviewed appropriately, to meet individual need, had been allocated.

·       When CIC were placed outside the County area, it was due to the placement being specialist care and the most appropriate for the child.  Value for money was always assessed and contracts managed and monitored.  Organisations were also inspected and rated by Ofsted.

·       Child re-referrals rates remained at 20%.  It was explained at the meeting that when a child had been referred into the system and had been moved on to specialist support the case was referred to as ‘closed’.  If there was then a need for a new service within 12 months, this was classed as a re-referral. Information on the national bench marking figures for re-referrals and where Staffordshire fell against that would be sent to the Committee for information.

·       Unallocated Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF), would be allocated by the end of the year to mitigate the effects of Covid.

·       The number of startup business supported by the council in Staffordshire showed robust growth higher than the national average.

·       The overspend in Childrens Services continued to increase despite additional funding.  It was explained that early intervention was key and there were potential signs that the new working arrangements were working but it was still too early to tell.  Cabinet members were due to meet to evaluate the transformation strategy to see if it remained the right approach.

·       In the financial summary it stated that there were £6.118m savings classed as low confidence which mainly related to placement costs.  It was explained that there was always an element of risk when trying to achieve savings, but if savings were not met, they would be looked for elsewhere or funded through reserves if necessary.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Committee considered the work programme for 2023/24.

The Chair requested that the 24 October meeting be changed to the 6 November 2023. 

Resolved: That the work programme be approved and the 24 October meeting be moved to the 6 November 2023.