The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Healthy Living and Social Care Scrutiny Committee : 12th March 2018

Report of the Director of Social Services

Revenue and Capital Monitoring for the period 1st April 2017 to 31st January 2018

Purpose of the Report

To bring to the attention of this Scrutiny Committee, the position in respect of revenue and capital expenditure for the period 1st April 2017 to 31st January 2018 regarding those revenue and capital budgets which form this Committee's remit.

Recommendations

It is recommended that:-

Scrutiny Committee consider the position with regard to the 2017/18 revenue and capital monitoring.
The progress made in delivering the Social Services Budget Programme is noted.

Reasons for the Recommendations

That Members are aware of the position with regard to the 2017/18 revenue and capital monitoring relevant to this Scrutiny Committee.
That Members are aware of the progress made to date on the Social Services Budget Programme.

Background

Council on the 1st March 2017 (minute nos. 864 and 863 respectively) approved the Revenue and Capital Budgets for 2017/18. Reports monitoring expenditure are brought to this Committee on a regular basis.
In setting the Social Services budget for 2017/18, the use of £650k from the Social Services Plan reserve was approved.

Relevant Issues and Options

Social Services Revenue

The forecast for Social Services at year end has now improved to a potential overspend of around £1m.
A table and graph setting out the variance between profiled budget and actual expenditure to date and the projected position at year end are attached at Appendix 1.
Children and Young People Services - The major issue for this Service continues to be the pressure on the children's placements budget, which has resulted in an overall projected £200k overspend at year end. This is due to the increasing complexities of the children currently being supported, which results in their placement in very high cost units. Work continues to ensure that children are placed in the most appropriate and cost effective placements. However, it should be noted that due to the potential high cost of each placement, the outturn position could fluctuate with a change in the number of looked after children and/or the complexity of need. The service holds the Social Services Pressures reserve which has been set aside to offset the impact of high cost placements. If required, this reserve will be used to fund the potential deficit at year end.
Adult Services - The major issue concerning this service is the continuing pressure relating to the Community Care Packages budget. The anticipated position has improved from previous months and is currently projecting an overspend at year end of around £800k. However, a letter was received from Welsh Government on 14th February 2018 offering grant funding of £369,265 to support Social Services delivery over the period January to March 2018. This funding can be used to fund domiciliary care, short term residential care and minor home adaptations. It is therefore anticipated that this funding will further improve the year end position however a full assessment will need to be undertaken of the actual impact to ensure compliance with the grant's terms and conditions. It should be noted that this funding is one off during 2017/18 and will not be received in 2018/19. The outturn position is still difficult to predict with certainty as this budget is extremely volatile. The service continues to strive to manage growing demand.
It is proposed that up to £800k is used this year from the Social Services Legislative Changes fund and £200k from the Social Services Pressures reserve to cover the shortfall.

Leisure Services Revenue

Leisure - It is currently projected that the overall budget will outturn on target.

2017/18 Savings Targets

Attached at Appendix 2 is a summary of savings to be monitored by this Committee during 2017/18. There is currently no specific savings target allocated to Leisure Services.
Each savings target has been given a RAG status. Green indicates that it is anticipated that the target will be achieved in full within the year, amber indicates that it is considered that the saving in the year will be within 20% of the target and red indicates that the saving to be achieved in year will be less than 80% of the target.
With regard to the Social Services savings targets which relate to the Care Package Budget reductions, while there is significant pressure on this budget and it is anticipated to overspend, schemes have been put in place to deliver savings in this area by transferring domiciliary care clients to direct payments and by establishing a review team and therefore the saving is projected to be achieved in full.
Appendix 3 provides further detail of the savings within the Social Services Budget Programme. The corporate programme board and project teams overseeing the plan will continue to monitor and ensure its delivery. As in previous years, ongoing progress updates will to be reported to Committee as part of the overall financial monitoring report for the Directorate.

Capital

Appendix 4 details financial progress on the Capital Programme as at 31st January 2018.
Residential Homes Toilet Refurbishments - It has been requested that this scheme is amalgamated with the Residential Home Refurbishment scheme as both relate to works in residential homes and this will enable a more co-ordinated approach to delivery of the works.
Flying Start Update and Upgrade ICT Equipment - An emergency power was approved to include a new scheme in the Capital Programme with a budget of £17k to be funded from Welsh Government Grant.
Flying Start Outdoor Play Area and Canopy - An emergency power was approved to include a new scheme in the Capital Programme with a budget of £15k to be funded from Welsh Government Grant and will be located at Ysgol Gwaun Y Nant.
Romilly Mess Room - This scheme is anticipated to be £26k over budget. This is because additional works have been required which were not apparent when the tender documents were being prepared such as the renewal of the concrete base which has increased costs on this project. It has been requested that the following virements are made to this scheme to fund this shortfall: £2k from Italian Shelter Penarth, £8k from Community Centres and £16k from the Parks and Grounds Asset Renewal budget.
Byrd Crescent Community Centre - Final accounts are now being agreed and it is anticipated that this scheme will cost £6.5k more than budget. The Parks and Grounds Asset Renewal scheme has uncommitted budget of £23k and it has therefore been requested that £6.5k is vired to this scheme.
Improvement Works at Heol Llidiard Community Hall - The Council are awaiting a match funding opportunity from Welsh Government to procure an extension to the building. It has therefore been requested that £15k is carried forward to the 2018/19 Capital Programme.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

As detailed in the body of the report. Changes in future service provision may have an impact upon staffing levels and due consideration will be given to the Council's employment policies and procedures.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

There are no direct implications arising from this report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

There are no legal implications.

Crime and Disorder Implications

There are no crime and disorder implications.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

There are no equal opportunity implications.

Corporate/Service Objectives

Effective monitoring assists in the provision of accurate and timely information to officers and Members and, in particular, allows services to better manage their resources.

Policy Framework and Budget

The report is in accordance with the Policy Framework and Budget.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

The appropriate Chief Officer has been consulted. This report does not require Ward Member consultation.

Background Papers

None

Contact Officer

Carolyn Michael

Operational Manager - Accountancy

Officers Consulted

Director of Social Services

Responsible Officer

Lance Carver, Director of Social Services