Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services and the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources regarding the detailed savings proposals for Children’s Services that have been developed as part of the Transformation to 2021 Programme.

For the Select Committee to scrutinise the revenue savings proposals for Children’s Services that have been developed as part of the Transformation to 2021 Programme.

The Committee received a report and presentation from the Director of Children’s Services, which provided an overview of the revenue savings proposals for Transformation to 2021 (see Item 6 in the Minute Book).

Officers led Members through the slides and attention was drawn to the recent Government spending review which didn’t provide certainty beyond 2021, in the light of rising demand and the cost of children’s social care.  The key issues facing the County Council were explained and the additional funding for schools was noted.  It was heard that there was no detail at the moment in relation to Government funding and children with complex needs and disabilities, but the Government would be reviewing special education needs (SEN) next year. 

It was heard that T21 would be challenging with a need to ensure sufficient capacity to lead and maintain an adaptable and strong workforce.  The savings targets for children’s services were explained in relation to the various work streams, and it was anticipated that there would be some staff reductions but almost all through ‘natural wastage’ rather than redundancies. 

Members were led through the various work stream savings proposals which included government funding, home to school transport and admin efficiencies.  In relation to proposal 3 – Transforming Social Care, it was explained that the department would continue to increase the numbers of children who could remain at home safely.  Officers also drew Members attention to the challenges around foster care placements and external organisations who were driving the cost up. 

It was heard that there would be a public consultation in due course in relation to scope to achieve savings to the short breaks programme and focus on core priorities for parents and carers.  Attention was drawn to the fact that short breaks was the only service within children’s services which was still discretionary. 

The significant shortfall in health contributions from the Clinical Commissioning Groups was highlighted at proposal 7, and it was heard that this amounted to £1.8 million and was shown as an income stream.  It was heard that in relation to youth offending, youth crime had reduced consistently in the last ten years, and there were legitimate efficiencies which could be made which wouldn’t compromise the high standard of the service.

The spend in Hampshire per child was explained and it was heard that in relation to other authorities, the spend in Hampshire per child was low at £540 and on a par with another Ofsted rated Outstanding local authority

Members heard that there were risks that the department couldn’t anticipate in the future such as emerging forms of abuse, and national issues that could heighten anxiety at a local level.  Officers highlighted the consultation ‘Serving Hampshire – Balancing the Budget 2019’ which gave Hampshire residents and stakeholders the chance to comment on ways to balance the County Council budget, and it was heard that out of the 5432 responses, 52% of respondents agreed that the County Council should continue with its current financial strategy which included  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106