Issue - items at meetings - KD 4528 - Budget 2018/19 - Tranche 1 Savings

Issue - meetings

KD 4528 - Budget 2018/19 - Tranche 1 Savings

Meeting: 26/07/2017 - Cabinet (Item 6)

6 Budget 2018/19: Tranche One Savings pdf icon PDF 235 KB

A report from the Executive Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services will be circulated as soon as possible. (Key decision – reference number 4528)

(Report No.41)

(7.05 pm – 7.20 pm)

TO FOLLOW

Minutes:

Councillor Doug Taylor (Leader of the Council) introduced the report of the Executive Director of Finance, Resources and Customer Services (No.41) setting out an update on the progress of the 2017/18 savings work streams, including proposals for a first tranche of savings for 2018/19 and beyond.

 

NOTED

 

1.               That a progress report and update on the first tranche of savings proposals was detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

 

2.               Councillor Taylor drew Members’ attention to point 7.2 of appendix 1 to the report – Joint Service for Disabled Children: 10% reduction of short breaks grants, which stated that a review of how short breaks were delivered was to be conducted in order to achieve efficiencies without having an adverse effect on the local offer and support services to disabled children in the borough. It proposed savings of £45k in both 2018/19 and 2019/20. Councillor Taylor sought clarification and assurance on the proposed savings and questioned how there would be no adverse effect.

 

3.               Tony Theodoulou (Executive Director of Children’s Services) explained that the savings in the first year would be achieved through a reduction in one short break co-ordinator post. More families were now arranging their own short breaks through their personal budget allocations so the need for such co-ordinators had reduced, one post would be remaining. Tony Theodoulou further explained the comprehensive care packages that were supported and how efficiencies could be made. The Council worked closely with the groups and families involved.

 

4.               In response to a question raised by Councillor Brett, Tony Theodoulou outlined the access that parents had to the “local offer” through the Council’s commissioning framework, and the information provided to families. It was noted that good partnership working was well-established with all involved. Families were still able to access the short breaks directly. Following further discussion, it was agreed to remove the savings figures for 2019/20 for the time-being. Further discussion and explanation would be provided on the proposed efficiency savings for Tranche 2, for consideration at a future Cabinet meeting.

Alternative Options Considered: The Medium Term Financial Plan would be updated for the latest Governance spending plans.

 

DECISION: The Cabinet

 

1.               Noted the progress made in preparation of the 2018/19 budget.

 

2.               Agreed the first tranche of savings proposals for 2018/19 and beyond as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, with the exception of point 7.2 – Joint Service for Disabled Children: 10% reduction of short breaks grants, with regard to the projected savings for 2019/20. With this exception, the proposed savings would be included in the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2018/19 and future years.

Reason: Cabinet needed to manage the 2018/19 financial planning process having regard to constraints in public spending.

(Key decision – reference number 4528)