Issue - decisions

Members received a report which set out the draft outturn figures for the financial year 2005/6.  It was noted that the figures were split to show outturn for both Education and Social Services and although those figures were provisional there were no significant changes expected.

Councillors were pleased to see that since the administration of Home to School Transport had been transferred from DEDs to Children’s Services, an overall saving of £171k had been achieved.  It was also reported that this saving had been made together with an improvement in quality of service, as shown by a reduction in the number of complaints received from parents.

The report highlighted the following issues:

·         Backdated rate refunds on a number of schools most notably Archbishop Holgate’s following its change in status to Voluntary Aided.

·         Savings made within the finance team due to a number of vacant posts one of which had recently been filled

·         Increased legal fees - currently under investigation with Legal Services.

·         Section 34 – Increase in expenditure due mainly to the high number of contact commitments arising from care proceedings

The reports also requested a carry forward budget of £179k as a contribution from the Council to enable the department and schools to benefit from a further £179k of DfES grant.

Advice of the Advisory Panel:

That the Executive Member be advised to;

·         Approve the draft revenue outturn for 2005/06 and note that the net underspend will be transferred to the council’s reserves.

·         Agree the carry forward set out in paragraph 12 totalling 179k, subject to the approval of the Executive

Decision of the Executive Member:

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

REASON:       To inform the Executive Member