To seek the views of the committee on the draft the budget proposals for 2021-22 relating to Children and Families.

The Committee considered a report by the Leader of the Council which outlined the draft budget proposals for 2021/22 relating to Children and Families. The report was introduced by the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and the Director of Children and Families (DCF) who provided the presentation attached to the report. The Committee considered a report by the Leader of the Council which outlined the draft budget proposals for 2021/22 relating to Children and Families. The report was introduced by the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and the Director of Children and Families (DCF) who provided the presentation attached to the report and also noted the risks that have been increasing in recent years regarding contextual safeguarding, including county lines. These may be increasing as a result of the impact of the pandemic. It was recognised that a number of elements were demand led and that some of the work already taking place such as early help and the edge of care service was having an effect to address some of the demand. The spend on placements had been more than planned in the budget for a number of years. Many local authorities faced overspends in this area. The council had taken an approach to treat spend over planned as a corporate pressure and this was to continue as part of the overall budget setting. The DCF explained that the whole family approach outlined in the diagram in the presentation would be explored in greater detail with the committee at a future scrutiny session. The DCF explained that the whole family approach outlined in the diagram in the presentation would be explored in greater detail with the committee at a future scrutiny session.

The principal points below were raised during the debate:

·         The committee recognised the progress that the Children and Families directorate had achieved and the improvement in performance and leadership of the directorate.

·         The increase in the funding to the directorate’s base budget was welcomed.

·         Concern was raised regarding the feasibility of the stretch savings target for the recruitment of 30 foster carers per annum over the next five years. It was felt that the target may be achievable in the medium term but it was questioned whether it was realistic during 2021/22 and 2022/23. The executive was recommended to review the feasibility of the savings target during the next two financial years.

·         It was felt that to assist the committee to assess the budget and savings for the Children and Families directorate further detail regarding the overall budget of the directorate and the council would be useful to provide vital context. The DCF explained that further detail regarding the budget of the Children and Families directorate could be circulated after the meeting. The CFO explained that work could be undertaken with officers to determine how to present regular budget data to the committee in future.

·         The impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the budget was queried and what additional funding may be forthcoming from the government to support mental  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20