Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of the Chief Financial Officer, Directors of Adults, Culture & Community, Children & Young People, Urban Environment and Corporate Resources, Assistant Chief Executives for People and Organisational Development and Policy, Performance, Partnerships and Communication)

To update Members on the financial planning process and to consider the Pre Business Plan Reviews (PBPR) 2008/08 to 2010/11.

Four Councillors and all Cabinet Members declared an interest in this item as detailed above.

All Cabinet Members claimed a prejudicial interest in respect of their portfolio item; the answers questions put to them by the committee before retiring from the room, allowing the committee to discuss its recommendations.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee considered over two meeting the Pre-Business Plan Review growth and savings bids.  The committee discussed individual portfolio areas with the respective Cabinet Members, and made the recommendations to Cabinet in respect of the budget.

            GOVERNMENT GRANT SETTLEMENT

            In carrying out the budget scrutiny exercise the Committee has assimilated a large amount of budgetary information and there are issues and risks that have become apparent as a result. The committee recognises that the council budget has, by necessity, been re-profiled as a result of unachieved pre agreed efficiency savings. For planning purposes a settlement figure of zero growth in each of the three years was assumed.

            The Government grant settlement for the next financial year once again left  this council (and 27 other London Boroughs)  with “at  floor” settlements, however, overall  the Council will receive £2.7m more than last year in formula grant. The reasons for the low settlement were discussed by the committee and it is strongly recommended that the council produce accurate demographic evidence to justify lobbying the Government for more money. Local MP’s should also be asked to support any request for a higher settlement.

            Recommendation 1.

            That the Cabinet continue to press the case for a more favourable settlement for Haringey with appropriate Government Ministers and to seek the support of local MP’s.

            CHILDREN’S & YOUNG PEOPLES – CABINET PORTFOLIO

Children & Families

The Committee was informed that the saving proposals put forward were not without risk and that they would be monitored closely.

Savings accruing to a review of transport were identified. The committee noted that transport was an area identified in other portfolios as an area of saving and suggest that a corporate review of council-wide transport provision would be likely to provide greater integration, flexibility and efficiency, rather than each directorate doing its own review.

Recommendation 2.

That the Cabinet commission a corporate review on its transport provision.

The committee was concerned at the £125k saving identified as part of the integration of services as the Children’s networks develop and whether these could actually be achieved in the coming year. The committee was of the view that a deferral of the saving to the financial year 2009/10 was more achievable.

Recommendation 3.

That the Cabinet defer the £125k efficiency saving identified in respect of the integration of services as the Childrens’ networks develop until financial year 2009/10.

It was also concerned over savings relating to children with Special Educational Needs.

The committee supported the introduction of Direct Payments which would eventually produce savings.

Schools

The Committee noted that a large proportion of the budget was ring-fenced (the Dedicated Schools Grant) directly to schools, however they noted that some of the savings identified would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83