Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee support the portfolio efficiency options, as shown in    the report; and

(b)       That the Committee congratulate the work undertaken by all of the Social Services Team in the current financial circumstances.

            Prior to the introduction of the report, the Chair commented on the detail of the report and asked whether any additional information would be circulated at the meeting.  The Chief Officer (Social Services) explained that method statements and resilience statements supporting the 2019/20 budget pressures and efficiency proposals had been produced as background documents with copies available on request.  The Chief Executive advised that the efficiency proposals detailed within the report were small and modest which posed small or no risk.  

            The Chief Officer introduced a report to advise of the financial pressures and efficiencies identified for the Social Services portfolio for the 2019/20 budget.  He advised that Member workshops were held on 13 and 23 July and 18 September, 2018 where information on the latest local financial forecast in the context of the overall national position was provided.  An additional workshop specifically for the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee was held on 10 October, 2018 which provided Members with the opportunity to understand the portfolio budgets in more detail and consider the risk and resilience levels of each service area.

            The Chief Officer and Senior Manager – Safeguarding and Commissioning provided a detailed explanation around the portfolio pressures and investments, together with the portfolio business planning efficiencies and those arising from Welsh Government (WG) policy, as outlined within the report.  The Chief Officer emphasised the need to continue to provide affordable, quality care services for residents across Flintshire.

            Councillor David Healey commented on the financial pressures from Out of County placements and asked whether the Health Board made any financial contribution if a placement was due to the health needs of an individual.  The Chief Officer explained that financial contributions were made by the Health Board, Social Service and Education Service where appropriate.  There was a need for the Health Board to contribute a fair amount to ensure the Council was not left with an unnecessary financial burden.      

            In response to a question from Councillor Dave Mackie on the total amount shown for Out of County placements, the Chief Officer explained that the total shown included the financial pressure for the Education portfolio for the educational element of Out of County placements. 

            Councillor Kevin Hughes thanked all officers within the Social Services department who had continued to provide an excellent service.  He commented on the financial pressures of Out of County placements and asked whether options to work collaboratively with Wrexham County Borough Council had been explored in order to reduce the pressure.  The Chief Officer thanked Councillor Hughes for his comments which he would pass on to all officers following the meeting.  He said that there was potential for further collaborative working with Wrexham and other North Wales Council’s but that work was ongoing through the Senior Manager – Children and Workforce to assist current social care providers with the skills necessary to expand their businesses in Flintshire.       

            In response to a question from the Chair around collaboration with neighbouring authorities,the Chief Officer explained that collaborative  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29