Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no pecuniary interests declared. However, Councillor Wood wished to place on record that his son-in-law works for the Harbour School, his daughter works for Motiv8 and his Step Grandson works for the Housing team and his sister-in-law is the Director for Academies and Free Schools at the Education Funding Agency. He also wished to record that he is a local authority governor at both Charter Academy and Ark Dickens Primary Academy.

Purpose of report

To inform the Cabinet Member of the proposed revenue expenditure within the portfolio cash limit for the current financial year 2016-17.  This report sets out the budget position and contributing factors to the proposed overspend within the portfolio as at the end of December 2016. 

RECOMMENDED: that the Cabinet Member

(1)  Notes the Children's Social Care Portfolio forecast budget position, at the end of December 2016, of £1.0m in excess of current approved cash limit provision.

(2)  Supports the ongoing process of budget review and implementation of proposals to reduce the protected overspend position and deliver a balanced budget within the area of Children's Social Care.

Graham Smith introduced the report and explained the reasons for the current forecast year-end overspend.

Councillor Rob Wood asked how work is progressing in terms of the Looked After Children placements. In response Sarah Newman, the Deputy Director of Children's Services referred to paragraph 5.4.3 in the report and explained that the council reliance on the Independent Fostering Agency is at 15%, due to our successful Foster Portsmouth campaign.

Sarah explained further the following:

·      Portsmouth has been 0% reliance on agency staff in comparison with 13% statistical neighbours (2015/16). If Portsmouth were using 13% agency this would potentially add circa £260,000 to our costs.

·      An improvement (reduction) of 69 days (on average) between entering care and placement with adopters (comparing rolling 3 years January 2016 to rolling 3 years January 2017).

·      A 5% reliance on residential care which is very low in comparison with statistical neighbours and South East average (at 9%).

·      We currently use 219 internal placements and purchase 53 IFA placements. Our reliance on IFA placements has reduced from 27% 2013 to 15% and is significantly low in comparison with IFA framework average (25%) and statistical neighbours average (30%).

·      478 referrals per 10,000 population in comparison with 706 statistical neighbours (2015/16).

The Cabinet Member thanked officers for their hard work and for their work on this report.

DECISIONS: the Cabinet Member:

(1)  Noted the Children's Social Care Portfolio forecast budget position, at the end of December 2016, of £1.0m in excess of current approved cash limit provision.

(2)  Supported the ongoing process of budget review and implementation of proposals to reduce the projected overspend position and deliver a balanced budget within the area of Children's Social Care.