Agenda item

This report provides the background information for the overall Financial Strategy and to present the draft savings proposals, growth assumptions and capital schemes for the Children, Young People and Education portfolio.

In the interests of wider transparency and consultation relating to budget decision making sessions, all budget reports for these sessions have been published together on Monday 6 December 2021 https://www.york.gov.uk/budget. A copy of the appropriate papers for this meeting are attached for the purpose of this session.

Resolved:

                   i.        The 2022/23 revenue savings proposals for their portfolio as set out in annex 1;

                  ii.        The 2022/23 revenue growth proposals for their portfolio as set out in annex 2;

                 iii.        The feedback from consultation to date as set out in annex 3;

                iv.        The new schemes for inclusion in the 2022/23 to 2026/27 Capital Programme as set out in annex 4.

Reason:     To ensure that stakeholders have the opportunity to feed into the budget process in advance of the finalisation of the Financial Strategy 2022/23 to 2026/27.

Officers introduced the report and provided information on the overall financial strategy, savings, and growth. It was noted that the Local Government Provisional Settlement, which could affect the assumptions included currently in the financial strategy was due to be announced in the new few days. The impact of Covid-19 on the Councils finances were also noted and it was confirmed that the Council currently required £7,000,000 of savings in the 2022/23 budget.

The Executive Member made a number of enquiries firstly around funding. He asked about the areas of major growth for the Children, Young People, and Education area. It was noted that these were largely connected to areas such as the growth in demand for services and staffing, a pay award had yet to be agreed for 2022/23 but a predicted amount had been factored into growth assumptions. Government funding was highlighted and it was noted that York received comparative to other local authorities a low level of grant funding, the Executive Member highlighted the that in 2011 the Council received £56,000,000 in Revenue Support Grant, which was now £540,000 in 2021.

Areas of pressure were then enquired about and it was noted that the Council faced particular pressures in supporting individuals with special Educational needs, supporting children in foster care, as well as, staffing. School attendance was noted as having been effected by Covid-19 with children as having been effected by anxiety and stress about attendance, it was confirmed that the Council was developing a Education Futures Plan which would focus on trauma informed practices to identify what caused behaviours and to support children.

Council policies were discussed and it was confirmed that the Council aimed to deliver care close to a child’s local area. This was noted as having a strong benefit to family and friends networks for children. However, with around 263 children to whom the Council are corporate parents of under some special cases out of area placements could be required. The Council’s partnership work was discussed and it was noted the Council had built strong partnerships such as the Joint Commissioning Strategy and York Schools board.

School improvements were raised in the capital program and it was confirmed that improvements were required at Fulford School, Applefields Special School, and the Danesgate Community. These improvements it was noted were required to deliver better learning environments, as well as, additional capacity. The Executive Member made noted the use of space on York school sites and the need for future discussions about the balance of the use of recreational space and space for new buildings at these schools.

Resolved:

                   i.        The 2022/23 revenue savings proposals for their portfolio as set out in annex 1;

                  ii.        The 2022/23 revenue growth proposals for their portfolio as set out in annex 2;

                 iii.        The feedback from consultation to date as set out in annex 3;

                iv.        The new schemes for inclusion in the 2022/23 to 2026/27 Capital Programme as set out in annex 4.

Reason:     To ensure that stakeholders have the opportunity to feed into the budget process in advance of the finalisation of the Financial Strategy 2022/23 to 2026/27.