Agenda Item No
The Vale of Glamorgan Council
Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning): 30th November 2009
Report of the Director of Learning and Development
Lifelong Learning Revenue Budget 2009-2010
Purpose of the Report
1.
To inform Scrutiny Committee [Lifelong Learning] that the Scrutiny
Committee [Corporate Resources] has requested a report on the
potential overspend within the Lifelong Learning Service.
Recommendations
1.
That the position with regard to the budget of the Lifelong
Learning Service be noted.
2.
That Members review the Lifelong Learning Service budget outturn in
the light of developments detailed in this report.
Reasons for the Recommendations
1.
To brief Members so that they are aware of the projected outturn
for 2009-2010.
2.
To enable Members to monitor the position.
Background
2.
Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) received a report from the
Director of Finance, ICT and Property on 3rd November 2009 which
identified a potential overspend of £96,000 in the Lifelong
Learning Service resulting from the failure to meet efficiency
targets.
3.
Members subsequently requested that a report be submitted to the
meeting on 1st December and the Head of Lifelong Learning
invited to attend to clarify the issue.
Relevant Issues and Options
4.
The efficiency savings of £96,000 identified for the Lifelong
Learning Service were delayed in their implementation due to an
anticipated additional grant from the Welsh Assembly Government and
the changes to payment timescales of new employment training
contracts.
5.
The National Planning and Funding System is due to apply to Adult
Community Learning. However, a three year transitional period
has been introduced which has delayed access to the additional
funding that will become available to the Vale.
6.
Contractual arrangements for the delivery of New Deal training
programmes for the economically inactive were also delayed until
1st October 2009. The changes to the contract will also be
beneficial to the Vale.
7.
Of equal importance the additional funding will enable services to
the 1,200 unemployed young people in the Vale to be sustained and
arrangements to maximise employment opportunities arising through
the Metrix development to be achieved.
8.
Until these sources of funding can be fully accessed the potential
overspend of the Lifelong Learning Service has been funded from
savings identified within the Education Budget due to staff
vacancies.
9.
The position will be monitored closely by the Director of Learning
and Development. If the anticipated external funding
necessary to balance the Service budget is not forthcoming the
Directorate will bring forward specific proposals to eliminate the
overspend as part of the budget cycle.
Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)
10. The reported adverse
variance has now been reduced to £81,000 through the introduction
of savings and increased income generation across the Service.
Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)
11. There are no legal
implications.
Crime and Disorder Implications
12. There are no crime
and disorder implications.
Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language
issues)
13. The Service responds
to issues of inclusiveness, equality and bilingualism, as well as
providing opportunities to learn Welsh.
Corporate/Service Objectives
14. The Service meets the
corporate objectives of Lifelong Learning.
Policy Framework and Budget
15. This report is for
Executive decision.
Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)
16. None.
Relevant Scrutiny Committee
17. Corporate
Resources.
Background Papers
None.
Contact Officer
Dave Prosser - Head of Lifelong Learning, Tel:
01446 709148
Officers Consulted
None.
Responsible Officer:
Bryan Jeffreys - Director of Learning and
Development