Agenda item

Budget Review - 2015/16 Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2015/16 - 2018/19

[Mark Taylor, Assistant Director Finance, to present report]

Minutes:

Cllr Val Gibson, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, gave a brief overview of the background to the budget savings proposals. Cllr Gibson commented on the further savings target of £15 million to be achieved by 2016/17. Cllr Gibson commented that if any of the savings proposals are not accepted that savings would have to be sought from elsewhere.

 

Cllr Gibson commented that the biggest budget cost was expenditure on looked after children service, but explained that the work of the Families R First programme is expected to deliver savings in the future. Cllr Gibson commented on the learning from the changes introduced by Essex County Council in the looked after children service and the work being done to implement them locally.

 

Cllr Gibson confirmed the Council’s commitment to Wolverhampton Youth Zone. Cllr Gibson commented on discussions with representatives of Steve Morgan Foundation about future plans.

 

The panel comments on the saving proposals are attached at appendix 1.

 

 

Appendix 1

 

Updated June Savings Proposals

 

Description of Saving

Directorate

Comments

Children and Families

 

 

Children's Short Breaks administration

Community

No comments

Wolverhampton Youth Zone

Community

Kasmie Hawker was disappointed at the further savings cuts aimed at the youth service. Kasmie wanted reassurance that the impact of the savings will be effectively monitored after they have been made.

Special Educational Needs Reform Grant Efficiencies

Community

No comments

Looked After Children

Community

There was concern about the size of the budget and its needs to be watched. Cllr Gibson accepted this and explained that the number of looked after children had stabilised at around 800 and was confident  that the savings target could be achieved.

 

The proposals were welcomed as an alternative to care homes and there was support for the Council taking this approach.

Commissioning – Bring forward 18/19 savings

Community

No comments

Additional Savings - The Haven

Community

The service is highly regarded and provides important support to vulnerable groups.  The support given by the Council to help Haven secure alternative sources of funding was queried. Cllr Gibson explained that the Council works closely with Haven to make the savings and how they could become self-sustaining.  Cllr Gibson commented on the work being done to provide different types of support, for example helping people to move through the system quickly.

 

There is a risk that the savings cuts will represent a false economy and issue for the people concerned will not be resolved and lead to problems in the future. A comment was made about whether the Council was confident that there was not going to be gaps in the care provided.

 

 

 

 

 

October Savings Proposals

 

Description of Saving

Directorate

Comments

Children and Families

 

 

Children, Young People and Families Voluntary Redundancies.

Community

A comment was made about whether the Council has got the skills and experience to continue to deliver the service. There was concern that about the numbers of staff who could qualify for voluntary redundancy and the impact that this could have on the service. Cllr Gibson responded that she was confident that the service has the skills. Cllr Gibson commented on the changes in workforce as a result of the introduction of the new operating model that would support the delivery of the service in the future.

Review Workforce Need and Capabilities within the Safeguarding and Quality Service

Community

No Comments

 

Supporting documents: