Agenda item

Darparu trosolwg o Gyllideb Refeniw'r Cyngor ar gyfer 2019/20 a'r Rhaglen Gyfalaf 3 blynedd. 

Members were provided with an overview of the Council’s 2019/20 Revenue Budget and 3-year Capital Programme.

In respect of Education & Inclusion Services, Members received an overview from the Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting. Members were provided with the individual school budgets and a breakdown of the budget per service area. The Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting emphasised that if there is a deficit in the individual school budget then the school itself has to make up that deficit. Members were also reminded of the financial pressures that schools are under, particularly in terms of a reliance on supply teachers and increased teachers’ pension costs. However, the Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting also emphasised that during the course of the 2019/20 Municipal year, the Council has increased the school budget by 3.5%.

Following the presentation, discussions ensued and Members were provided with an opportunity to scrutinise the information.

Councillor S. Rees-Owen queried the attendance figures on Attendance & Wellbeing and commented that the attendance figures are not improving. The Member requested the Attendance & Wellbeing figures for the past two years. The Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting confirmed that the figures will be sent out via the Graduate Scrutiny Research Officer. The Chair requested that the same information be passed to Members in respect of other service areas, such as music and educational improvement grants. The Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting confirmed that the Budget Book is on the Council website and that a link will be sent out to Committee Members via the Scrutiny Officer.

Discussions continued and the Voting Elected Parent / Governor Representative queried whether the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ model was still fit for purpose. The Voting Elected Parent / Governor Representative noted the huge trend in the financial pressure being placed on the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ budget and commented that the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ model is still not meeting the needs of learners. The Head of Finance: Education and Financial Reporting advised Members that the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ model was considered in the 2019/20 budget and was reviewed in the School Budget Forum. The Council changed the model based on the WMD index and the ‘Additional Learning Needs’ model has been delayed for a further 12 months to ensure that the Council has enough time to consider user feedback. Councillor S. Rees-Owen confirmed that this issue is being considered as part of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee forward work programme.

Following discussion, Members received a presentation from the Head of Financial Services – Community & Children’s Services. Members were provided with a budget breakdown in respect of adult services, children’s services, leisure, PHP & Housing and transformation. Each service area was broken down further and Members received the budget per service provision. Discussions ensued and Councillor S. Bradwick queried what contributions were received into the service from Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. The Head of Financial Services – Community & Children’s Services confirmed that there is currently a pool budget arrangement with Merthyr Tydfil CBC and that the budget is split on a 75/25 basis. The split has been based on the population in each County Borough. The Chair also voiced his concerns and queried how many children are being looked after in each County Borough. Councillor Norris informed Members that the figures in respect of Children Looked After change on a daily basis. The Chair requested that figures be provided to the Committee in respect of the number of Children Looked after in RCT and MTCBC over the last financial quarter.  The Service Director – Performance and Improvement advised Members that the information will be included in the next quarterly performance report.

Discussions continued and Councillor S. Rees-Owen informed the Committee that the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee recently reviewed private care home provisions in the County Borough and that Members of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee considered the issues surrounding Children Looked After as part of its respective work programme. Councillor S. Rees-Owen voiced her concern in respect of the cross cutting of issues between scrutiny committees.  The Service Director of Communications & Democratic Services confirmed that there is scope for it to be reviewed as part of the Finance & Performance Scrutiny Committee due to its financial impact, however, Children Looked After remains within the remit of the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee’s terms of reference.

In respect of private care home provisions, Councillor Cullwick sought clarification as to the source of funding. The Head of Financial Services – Community & Children’s Services informed Members that the funding of private homes can be quite intensive due to the significant number of staff involved. Members were informed that private care homes can be a lucrative business and can operate at approximately £280 per week. Councillor Cullwick commented that property prices are relatively low South Wales Valleys are relatively low in comparison with other areas throughout the UK and he sought clarification as to how the Council engages with private companies to encourage them to set up a business in South Wales. The Head of Financial Services – Community & Children’s Services advised Members that private care homes currently cost RCT approximately £4000 a week. Councillor S. Rees-Owen informed the Committee that the Service Director, Legal Services will be providing an update in respect of private care home provisions at the next Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee. Members were advised that in England a Location Assessment is needed before a care home can be considered for development. A Location Assessment is not obligatory in Wales, it is a tool for good practice in Wales but it is not currently part of the regulations.

To conclude, the Head of Financial Services – Community & Children’s Services highlighted some key points in respect of Community & Children’s Services. Members were reminded of the budget pressures, such as demographic pressures and the recruitment and retention of social workers.

Discussions continued and the Head of Finance- Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services presented the concluding part of the presentation to Members.

Members were informed that the budget in respect of Prosperity & Development is £2.912 million for the 2019/20 Municipal year and the budget for Frontline Services is £53,897 million. The Head of Finance- Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services continued by breaking down each budget into individual service areas, such as waste services with a budget of £18,245 million. Discussions ensued and the Voting Parent/ Governor Representative raised a query in respect of home to school transportation and sought clarification as to whether the Council is paying above its statutory requirements in this area. The Head of Finance- Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services confirmed that the Council does provide more that the statutory requirement and informed Members that a financial breakdown of this particular service area would be sent out to Committee Members via the Graduate Scrutiny Research Officer.

Councillor Cullwick raised a further query in respect of vehicle depreciation. The Head of Finance- Prosperity, Development & Frontline Services confirmed that Council vehicles are mainly on lease, however, a business case is currently being developed where the Council will be able to buy the vehicle at the end of the period or have the option to return the vehicle to the supplier.

Further information was provided to Members in respect of the revenue budget for the Chief Executive’s Group, which includes service areas such as Democratic Services, as well as the corporate budgets, such as capital financing. Members were also referred to the Council’s 3 year Capital Programme 2019/20-2021/22. Members were reminded that the current programme is a 3 year rolling programme and that the current programme is £173M.  The Service Director- Performance & Improvement outlined the key schemes in respect of the Capital Programme, which include schemes such as 21^st Century Schools (Band A) £20M and Leisure, Parks & Countryside and Play at £3M.

To conclude, the Chair thanked officers for providing such an in depth overview.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the information provided in respect of the Council’s 2019/20 Budget and 3-year Capital Programme.