Issue - meetings

This report presents the Executive Member with the 2011/12 budget proposals for Children and Young People’s Services.  The Executive Member is asked to comment on the proposals.

RESOLVED:            (i)            That it be confirmed that the budget proposals are in line

                                    with the council’s priorities.

(ii)That the recommendations be accepted by the Executive Member and forwarded to the Budget Executive for their consideration.

(iii)That officers be thanked for their work in preparing the report.

REASON:            In accordance with consultation on the budget.

The Executive Member received a report as part of the consultation on the 2011/12 budget process.  The report presented the 2011/12 budget proposals for Children & Young People’s Services and included:

• 2011/12 Base Budget, as set out in paragraph 17 of the report;
• Savings proposals, as set out in Annex 2 of the report;
• Fees and charges, as set out in Annex 3 of the report;
• Residential Homes and Foster Carers, Sharing Care, Adoption and Residence Order Weekly Allowances, as set out in Annex 4 of the report.

The Executive Member was invited to consider whether the budget proposals were in line with the council’s priorities and to comment on the budget proposals for savings and growth, which had been prepared by officers and contained in the report.  The proposals were intended to form part of the council’s budget to be considered by the Budget Executive on 15 February 2011.  Budget Council would be held on 24 February 2011 and would make decisions on the overall budget for the council.

The Executive Member requested that officers respond to the issues raised by the Unison representative earlier in the meeting.  Officers stated that there had been a constructive dialogue with the trade unions and that they were committed to this continuing.  The financial circumstances that the Authority was facing were unprecedented and were particularly challenging because the cuts to funding were front-loaded and could not be introduced incrementally.  Attention was drawn to the consultation that had taken place, as detailed in paragraph 13 of the report, and of residents’ views that funding for children’s social care should remain the same.  The proposals that had been put forward did not include any reduction in social workers or core child protection capacity.  There remained a commitment to preventative work, as evidenced by the funding that it was proposed be allocated to the family intervention project. There were no proposals to close youth facilities or children’s centres.  The directorate would embrace the opportunities for new partnerships and was looking to integrate and restructure service delivery whilst maintaining the focus on providing high quality and safe provision for children and young people in the city. 

In respect of youth services and Connexions, attention was drawn to a reduction in the area-based grant which had not been passed on.  Officers had prepared a paper outlining initial thoughts as to how the savings in this area could be achieved.  A more detailed paper, outlining options, would be presented to the Executive Member in the Spring. Consultation would take place with staff and with schools regarding the options.  It was acknowledged that there was uncertainty about future arrangements in view of the debate that was taking place nationally on this issue.

Referring to the proposals in respect of youth services, officers stated that the intention was to retain universal services, including localities, but that there would be cuts.  The network of youth provision was valued and there would be a greater emphasis on more targeted provision. 

In respect of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38