Agenda item

REVENUE & CAPITAL BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 2019/20

Minutes:

The Committee considered the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report in relation to the Social Care and Health Service, which provided an update on the latest budgetary position as at 31st December, 2019 in respect of the 2019/20 financial year.

 

The Social Care & Health Service was projecting an overspend of £708K on the revenue budget and net variance of -£31K against the 2019/20 approved capital budget.

 

The following questions / observations were raised on the report:

 

Appendix B – Main Variances

  • An explanation was requested regarding the partially delivered savings on the Cwm Aur contract.

The Group Accountant advised that she did not know but the relevant officer would be able to advise.

  • Concern was raised regarding the vacancies within the Occupational Therapy team as the issue had been on-going for a significant time.  

The Committee was advised that Occupational Therapy vacancies was a National issue and also a priority for the Authority to resolve. While the issue was on-going, significant progress had been made.

·         It was asked why the income on direct payments had remained level when the demand for service had increased.

The Senior Business Support Manager advised that some direct payments received would be applied to the domiciliary care line. The report does try to reflect the movement between areas but this was not always possible.

·         Officers were asked if service user were re-assessed following the reduction in double handed care.

The Committee was advised that there was on-going evaluation of care and that the reduction in double handed care was not a cost cutting exercise.  Double handed care would be re-instated should the carers advise that the users needed additional care.

·         Clarification was requested on the overspend on staffing in the Coleshill Day Centre.

The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disability advised that staffing arrangements had been changed with 3rd sector staff being replaced by the Authority staff which had increased cost.  The most up to date equipment would reduce the need for double or treble handed care and the longer-term plan was to reduce staffing costs.

·         Reference was made to the spend on agency staff at the Authority’s care homes.

It was confirmed that this was a particular issue for residential care homes, however a significant amount of work had been done to improve the staffing ratio.  Agency staff would only typically be used if first line services were at risk.

 

Appendix C – Detailed Variances

·         Officers were asked about the front loading principle as vast overspend would often disappear.

The Committee was advised that figures could changed quickly due to a number of reasons including, late income from Welsh Government (such as winter pressure payments) and client income. Client income being difficult to predict as based on affordability.

 

Appendix F – Savings Monitoring Report

·         An update was asked regarding the review of Shared Lives Placements.

The Head of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities advised that a significant review had been undertaken as there were concerns that the service would not meet future demands. The report had been received and the recommendation were being implemented.  It was suggested that the Committee be provided with a full update at a future meeting.

·         Clarification was asked regarding the Domiciliary Care Service line indicating that out of the £45K proposed savings, £0 had been delivered.

The Head of Homes & Safer Communities advised that they had been overly ambitious with regard to the IT system implementation. Taking over Allied during the year had slowed down the introduction of the system, however the system would be in place to over 400 users by the end of March which would result in efficiency improvements.

 

RESOLVED that the report be received.

Supporting documents:

 

Council & Democracy

The Council

Councillors, AMs and MPs

Council departments

Have your say

Committees & Meetings

Strategies and plans

The Council Budget

Council Budget

Council Performance

Public notices

Brexit guidance

Welsh Language

Net Zero Carbon

Equality & Diversity

Armed Forces Covenant

Elections & Voting

Data Protection

Freedom of Information

Research & Statistics

Member Remuneration

Transformation Strategy

More from Council & Democracy