Issue - meetings

[James Barlow, to present report]

Alison Shannon, Chief Accountant, presented the draft budget report and medium-term financial strategy report. The panel were invited to comment on the proposals and respond to the recommendations. The Chief Accountant also invited the panel to suggest changes to the current budget scrutiny process to improve consultation arrangements.

The Chief Accountant outlined the background to the work done to respond to the previous projected budget challenge of £19.5 million for 2019 – 2020 that was presented in a report to Cabinet on 11 July 2018 and again on 17 October 2018. The projected budget challenge figure was now estimated to be £6 million. The panel were advised that work would continue to identify budget efficiencies, budget reductions and income generation opportunities.

The Chief Accountant advised the panel that comments on the draft budget and medium-term financial strategy will be included in a report that will be presented to Scrutiny Board on 11 December 2018. The Chief Accountant outlined the next steps in the budget consultation process. The panel were invited to comment on the report.

The panel commented on the lack of detail in the budget report about the proposals for budget reductions and income generations relating the children and young people services and would like more information.

The Chief Accountant referred to the link in the body of the Draft Budget and Medium-Term Finance Report which would give Councillors more details on the Budget Reduction and Income Generation Proposals. In addition, officers were present at the meeting to provide more detail around the proposals, if required.

The following is a summary of panel discussion about proposals for budget reduction and income generations

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Tier 3 funding to Black Country Partnership Foundation Trust

The panel queried the reduction in the budget of £137,000 for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and the implications for children and young people needing support. Andrew Wolverson, Head of Service People, advised the panel that the service undertook a review of funding for services at Tier 3 as part of the budget preparation work. The review involved comparing the approach adopted by neighbouring local authorities to funding of this service and the evidence showed that very few provided funding at this level. Most of the council’s reported that they focus their funding at Tier 2 level of support for people needing a lower level of mental health support. The panel were advised that Wolverhampton CCG is responsible for meeting the needs of children and young people needing access to specialist mental support. The Head of Service People advised the panel that there have been detailed discussions with colleagues at BCPFT and WCCG about the proposals.

The Head of Service advised the panel that not all the monies have been identified as savings from the proposal and that some of the money currently paid to BCPFT will be re-used to commission a service for Children and Young People in care.

The panel queried the impact of the budget reduction on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6