Decision details

Members considered a report which presented the 2007/087 budget proposals for Children’s Services. It included :

·          the Budget Book Service Plans for 2006/07 showing the original budgets at Annex 1

·          the base budget for 2007/08 including the 2006/07 budget rolled forward and adjusted

·          the allocation of pay and price increases for the portfolio

·          Budget service pressure proposals and savings proposals for the portfolio area were shown at Annexes 2 and 3

·          Fees and charges proposals shown at Annex 4

·          Residential Homes, Foster Carers, Sharing Care, Adoption and Residence Order Weekly Allowances shown at Annex 5

Members considered the overall budget savings that needed to be made by the Authority.  Having noted the proposals, the following points were raised:

·          The impact of the budget on EDs was not necessarily apparent from the report and it was noted that if approved, the proposals would result in the loss of a post.

·          The introduction of SIPs as part of a national programme had directly resulted in the loss of one Advisor post.

·          The budget had been affected by the new way of DfES funding through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and that the estimated increase per pupil was 6.4%.

·          the number of children being taught at home was expected to fall over the coming year with those remaining being taught in groups, leading to a reduction in the provision of home tuition.

Members acknowledged the amount of work that had gone into producing the report and thanked all who had contributed.

Advice of the Advisory Panel:

That the Executive Member be advised to:

i.              Note the above comments and recommend that they be considered by the Budget Executive on 16 January 2007.

ii.            Consider the budget proposals for Children’s Services for 2007/08 contained in the report and recommend that consultation be carried out on the following prior to the Budget Executive on 16 January 2007:

·                2007/08 Base Budget as set out in paragraph 14 - 20

·                Service Pressure Proposals as set out in Annex 2

·                Savings Proposals as set out in Annex 3

·                Fees and charges as set out in Annex 4

·                Residential Homes and Foster Carers, Sharing Care, Adoption and Residence Order Weekly Allowances as set out in Annex 5

Decision of the Executive Member:

RESOLVED:            That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:To begin consultation on the Children’s Services budget for 2007/08.