Agenda item

The Committee considered the Revenue Budget Strategy 2018/19 to 2020/21 which had been endorsed for consultation by the Executive Board at its meeting held on 27^th November, 2017.

The report provided members with the current view of the revenue budget for 2018/19 together with indicative figures for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 financial years.  The report was based on officers’ projections of spending need and took account of the provisional settlement announced by Welsh Government on 10^th October, 2017 and reflected the current departmental submissions for savings proposals.

The Director of Corporate Services advised the Committee that the final settlement had been announced the day before and an additional £1.4m had been allocated to Carmarthenshire. 

The Committee considered the following detailed budget information relevant to its remit which was appended to the report:-

·       Appendix A(i) – Efficiency summary for the Education & Children Department;

·       Appendix A(ii) – Growth Pressures summary for the Education & Children Department;

·       Appendix B – Budget extracts for the Education & Children Department;

·       Appendix C – Charging Digest for the Education & Children

Department.

In summary, the budget proposals assumed full delivery of all of the £25.6m savings proposals, together with the identification and delivery of the shortfall in savings proposals of £0.198m in 2018/19, £2.4m in 2019/20 and £2.7m in 2020/21.  Further cost reductions would need to be identified to deliver a balanced budget in each of the three years. 

The current budget proposals assumed a Council Tax increase in line with the original MTFP of 4.12% in 2018/19, 3.88% in 2019/20 and 5.00% in 2020/21.  A 1% movement in the Council Tax rises equated to +/- £820k.

The following observations/questions were raised on the report:-

·       Concern was expressed over the proposed reduction in respite care and the effect on parents of children requiring respite. The importance was stressed of consulting with service users regarding such proposals.  The Head of Children’s Services assured the Committee that some consultation had already been undertaken in this regard and officers will continue to engage with service users as the proposals move forward.  He explained that there was no intention to suddenly end respite for families and that it was more to do with looking to see if the service can be provided in a different, better way;

·       Reference was made to the proposed increase in the price of school meals and officers were asked how Carmarthenshire compares with other Local Authorities with regard to both price and take-up.  The Strategic Development Manager advised the Committee that Carmarthenshire is currently one of the highest charging Authorities.  He explained that it was difficult to get accurate take-up figures from other Local Authorities, however, Carmarthenshire is currently running at around 58%-60%;

·       Concern was expressed at the proposed increase in the price of school meals as the cost has increased over and above inflation for the past three years and families with 2 or 3 children have major difficulty in funding this.  The Strategic Development Manager explained that if the price is not increased then the money will have to be found from elsewhere;

·       Officers were asked how many children within the county qualify for free school meals but have not applied for them and whether it would be possible to share good practice from a school with a high take up of free school meals.   The Strategic Development Manager advised that it was not possible to get a take up figure, however, there are families who are eligible for free school meals but do not apply.  Officers were not permitted to approach these families.  Free school meals are promoted by way of letter and via social media.  He added that he would be happy to meet with members to discuss ways of improving the take-up whilst also removing the stigma;

·       Officers were asked why the £1.7m school reserves held in April 2017 are projected to become minus figures for the next two years.  The Director of Corporate Services explained that when forecasting reserves there is a hidden picture as some schools are in deficit and some have a surplus.  £1.7m is the complete figure, however, there are 33 schools in deficit and that is why the figures goes into a minus.  The Director of Education & Children added that school surpluses have reduced from £5m a few years ago to around £1m as school are having to use their surplus to prop up their budget.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED

5.1     That the 2018/19-2020/21 Revenue Budget Strategy Consultation be received;    

5.2     That, whilst noting the proposals for the delivery of efficiency           savings for the Education & Children Department, as detailed in           Appendix A(i) to the report, the Committee’s concerns regarding           any reduction in respite care provision be relayed to the           Executive Board;

5.3     That the Charging Digest for the Education & Children           Department, as detailed in Appendix C to the report, be endorsed.

: