Agenda item

Report of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance

The Leader of the Council introduced the Integrated Performance Report for Quarter 3 2022/23 which summarised the Councils performance and financial position against the Strategic and Delivery Plans.

The Cabinet Member for Finance explained that the report detailed the mainchallenges facing each of the four service areas, notably inflation; energy costs; payroll increases; and the transformation of Children’s services which had not achieved expected savings during the quarter.  It was also reported that there was a forecast overspend of approximately £16m reduced to £11.5m following the additional funding allocation from reserves.

The main issues discussed by members were:

·       The number of children in care which was continuing to increase.  This required specialist staff and family support.

·       It had been expected that the number of Children in Care would reduce.  This hadn’t happened and the gap in funding was the result. However, it was anticipated that the recent investment in Children’s services would show a change in services within the next financial year. 

·       The Cabinet was confident that the revised strategy for Children’s services was deliverable and the previous gap in strategy was due to the resourcing plan for specialist staff to deliver the change.  This was now in place and should deliver change.

·       The number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP) issued had continued to rise. 

·       Educational Psychologist had been recruited and this should ensure children get the support they need before they need additional care and have to come into the system.

·       Future assessment of demand, particularly in relation to the pandemic and the budget forecast would be helpful so that the Cabinet could be held to account.

·       Safeguarding Overview and Scrutiny Committee were looking at the transformation plan in detail and the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be looking at the financial implications at the April meeting.  Safeguarding Committee had made recommendations to the Cabinet on measuring data.

·       Information on historical data and employment and recruitment and retention would be helpful for the Committee.  Members were directed to previous agendas when the yearend data was provided (normally May/ June).

·       Information on apprenticeships (location and numbers) would be forwarded to the committee for information.

·       A discussion on the funding challenges for category 3 highway defects took place and the need to address potholes in a particular area rather than just category 3 and then having to return later to address other holes which had become category 3.  This was being referred to as “Whole Place Repair” and was being introduced.

·       Highway inspectors had been recruited and were working alongside Amey to identify need and a programme of work.

Resolved:

a)   That the Quarter 3 2022/23 Integrated Performance Report be noted.

b)  Information on apprenticeships (location and numbers) to be forwarded to the committee for information