Issue - meetings

This report presents the 2009/10 budget proposals for Children & Young People’s Services.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)                 That the budget proposals included within the report be noted.

(ii)               That the comments that had been made regarding the proposals be noted.

(iii)             That it be noted that Members of the Labour Group reserved their position for Budget Council.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  As part of the consultation on the Children & Young People’s Services budget for 2009/10.

Members received a report that presented the 2009/10 budget proposals for Children & Young People’s Services.  The report included:

• The revenue budget for 2008/09 (Annex 1) to show the original budgets.
• The base budget for 2009/10 including the 2008/09 budget rolled forward and adjusted.
• The provisional allocation of pay and price increases for the portfolio.
• Budget service pressure costs and savings proposals for the portfolio area (Annexes 2 and 3).
• Fees and Charges proposals (Annex 4).
• Other revenue budget options for consultation (Annex 5).
• The existing approved capital programme (Annex 6).
• Proposals for new capital schemes (Annex 7).
• Residential Homes, Foster Carers, Sharing Care, Adoption and Residence Order Weekly Allowances (Annex 8).

The Executive Member was asked to consider the budget proposals included in the report and identify their preferences, including the proposals in Annexes 2, 3 and 7, which would be considered by the Executive as part of the intended budget.  In particular Member advice was sought on the items listed for consultation in Annex 5, which did not, at present, form part of the intended budget.  Members of EMAP were invited to provide comments on the budget proposals in the report.

Members of the Labour Group reserved their position for Budget Council.

Discussion took place regarding the proposed reduction in funding for the community accountancy scheme (Annex 3b – CS53).  It was noted that the proposed reduction was not a judgement on the quality of the service provided but was intended to reflect a decrease in the SLA requirements in terms of the quantity of work.  The reduction would not take place until 1 July 2009 to enable time for the organisation to make any necessary adjustments.  A meeting had been arranged with the service to discuss the matter.

Clarification was sought regarding the proposed reduction in the Looked After Children IT Budget (Annex 3a – CS09).  It was noted that grant funding may be available to replace some of the proposed reduction in funding but that this could not be guaranteed.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised:

(i)                 That the budget proposals included within the report be noted.

(ii)               That the comments that had been made regarding the proposals be noted.

(iii)             That it be noted that Members of the Labour Group reserved their position for Budget Council.

Decision of the Executive Member

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

REASON:                  As part of the consultation on the Children & Young People’s Services budget for 2009/10.