Decision details

To provide information on Revenue Budget Monitoring 2019/20 (Month 4) and Quarter 1 of Capital Programme Monitoring 2019/20.

To report on the significant overspends within Out of County Placements, Children’s Services and School Transport on the Council fund budget.

(a)       That the Committee notes the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2019/20 Month 4 report and confirms that on this occasion there are no specific issues which it wishes to raise with Cabinet;

(b)       That the Committee notes the Capital Programme 2019/20 Month 4 report and confirms that on this occasion there are no specific issues which it wishes to raise with Cabinet;

(c)       That having reviewed to the Streetscene & Transportation portfolio financial pressures analysis, the Committee supports the ongoing work to mitigate those pressures and thanks all those involved for their hard work and commitment;

(d)       That having reviewed the portfolio financial pressures analysis within Children’s Services and Out of County placements, the Committee supports the ongoing work to mitigate those pressures and thanks all those involved for their hard work and commitment;

(e)       That the Committee supports a case being made to Welsh Government for assistance in meeting the high cost of residential care for children with complex needs whilst the Council develops more cost effective local placement options to respond to growing demand;

(f)        That the officers be tasked with investigating ‘invest to save’ solutions to reducing overall costs within these areas of concern; and

(g)       That the officers undertake analysis of the statistics for Flintshire’s higher recorded incidents of parental substance or alcohol misuse, parental mental ill health and domestic abuse and report back in due course.