Agenda item

(a)       That the committee notes the corporate cost pressures and main areas of income and expenditure under review for 2017/18 and supports the proposals;

(b)       That the committee notes the Corporate Services Portfolio Business Plan cost pressures and proposed efficiencies and supports the proposals; and

(c)       That the committee accepts, in principle, the developing strategy for the 2017/18 budget, and the process and timelines for setting the annual budget , in its wider role of corporate financial governance.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) introduced the update report on the financial forecast, including the budget pressures and proposed efficiencies for Social Services for 2017/18 as the third and final year of the current portfolio business planning cycle.

In providing an overview of the corporate context of the report, the Finance Manager explained that Cabinet had re-adopted the three part strategy to address the financial gap.  Work was continuing on the refresh of the Medium Term Financial Strategy in light of the revised forecast of a projected gap of £14.4m for 2017/18.  An update was also given on projections for service portfolio business planning as set out in Table 2 of the report.

The Chief Officer gave a presentation on business plan efficiencies and pressures for Social Services, covering the following:

·         Local context

·         Social Services: Comparative Analysis

·         Efficiency Statement

·         Resilience Statement

·         Social Services - Efficiencies Summary 2017/18

·         Learning Disabilities - Efficiency Targets 2017/18

·         Social Services - Summary of Cost Pressures

The Chief Officer explained that Flintshire had implemented one of the leanest Social Services structures across the region and that initial feedback from the independent review had so far validated the business plan proposals.  On the comparative analysis, there was a ‘Red’ risk status on resilience of Adult Services due to the financial support required from Welsh Government (WG) for care sector partners.  The ‘Amber’ risk rating for Children’s Services reflected the increased level of resources needed to support the service.

Councillor Dave Mackie referred to a recent education presentation given to the Heads’ Federation meeting which had helped to raise awareness of the financial challenges faced by the Council.  The Chairman stated that the Leader was continuing negotiations with the WG to put forward Flintshire’s case as a low funded authority.

Councillor Hilary McGuill pointed out the benefits of early signposting where re-ablement was no longer a viable option, for example, activities to support people with mental health issues.  The Chief Officer agreed that effective connections were needed, involving Single Point of Access teams.  He shared the concerns around the future challenges, given the expected 23% rise in the county’s older population over the next four years.  He said that the Council would do all it could to mitigate those challenges which reinforced the need for increased financial support from WG.  In relation to concerns about the changes to domiciliary support charges, the Chief Officer said that the issue would be handled sensitively with consultation taking place.  Responding to further questions, officers provided explanation on links with community hospitals across the region and discharging arrangements with hospitals outside Flintshire.  On the terminology used in the presentation, it was explained that the term ‘managing child care market’ was a term set by the WG.

On adoption and fostering, Councillor Mackie spoke about the significant increase in charges for services from independent agencies.  He felt it was important that individuals adopting or foster caring should not be seeking to gain financial profit and that the approach taken in Scotland should be implemented in Wales.  The Chief Officer said that the current regional arrangements on adoption and fostering were robust with good quality fostering provision, and that a national approach was to be introduced.  Following a query on additional costs for individuals supported in extra care facilities, he acknowledged that this reduced the spend on alternative settings, however opening extra care provision required financial input and the benefits to the resilience of the Council would only be seen over time.

The Senior Manager (Integrated Services, Lead Adults) spoke about the increase in demography and the extra resources required for individuals with complex needs such as Dementia.  She added that the extra care model in Flintshire was appropriate in caring and supporting the needs of individuals.  The Chief Officer spoke about the importance of extra care provision in helping to address the shortfall in residential care homes.  The Senior Manager (Children & Workforce) gave assurances that all opportunities were being explored to recruit the 35 additional foster carers currently needed in Flintshire.  He referred to the challenges on this such as the increase in looked after children over a short period of time and the demand for foster carers of older children and those with complex needs.  Councillor Christine Jones said that an informative presentation on the fostering recruitment strategy had been given to the Children’s Services Forum.  This had highlighted the excellent foster carer provision in the county along with the demand for more to support young people over ten years old.

In acknowledging the challenges of the increase in referrals given the fragile care sector, Councillor David Healey highlighted the importance of continuing lobbying to WG for financial support.  He said that not all areas of the UK were affected equally and suggested the potential for support from the Flintshire Local Voluntary Council (FLVC) on the recruitment of foster carers in the county.  The Chief Officer spoke about effective links already established between the Council and carer organisations, in addition to the FLVC and North East Wales Carers Information Service (NEWCIS).

The Senior Manager (Safeguarding & Commissioning) advised that the Council worked with the voluntary sector on a range of early intervention work including training programmes.

Councillor David Wisinger thanked officers for the detailed presentation and spoke about the need for financial support for independent nursing homes to prevent further impact on the National Health Service.

Councillor McGuill’s suggestion for 24-hour support for foster carers to encourage recruitment was not considered viable due to the cost implications and training/support arrangements already in place for foster carers.  In response to a suggestion on developing links with ‘Hospice at Home’ as an alternative to secondary hospitals, the Senior Manager agreed but pointed out that that particular service was often at full capacity.  Councillor McGuill felt that this issue should be highlighted and Councillor Veronica Gay asked whether the Committee could write to the WG.  The Committee agreed to the Chief Officer’s suggestion that the matter be raised with Mr. Rob Smith of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board who had attended the previous meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the committee notes the corporate cost pressures and main areas of income and expenditure under review for 2017/18 and supports the proposals;

(b)       That the committee notes the Corporate Services Portfolio Business Plan cost pressures and proposed efficiencies and supports the proposals; and

(c)       That the committee accepts, in principle, the developing strategy for the 2017/18 budget, and the process and timelines for setting the annual budget , in its wider role of corporate financial governance.