Agenda and minutes

None.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.  

Apologies were received from Councillors Alastair Adams, Brandon Clayton, Kyle Daisley, Mark Hughes (Parent Governor Representative) and Tim Reid (Church Representative).

The Chairman reflected that public attendance at Board meetings was welcome and urged that proactive promotion of Scrutiny activity by the Communications Team would be very welcome.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance in writing or by e-mail indicating both the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case 25 January 2022).  Further details are available on the Council's website.  Enquiries can also be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed in this agenda and on the website.

None.

(previously circulated)

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 November and 15 December 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Leader, Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer had been invited to attend the meeting to hear the feedback from Panel Chairmen following the Overview and Scrutiny Panels' discussions on the 2022/23 draft budget during the January Scrutiny meetings. Written feedback had been circulated prior to the meeting. Scrutiny comments would be fed back and  considered by Cabinet on 3 February 2022.

The Leader commented that the Budget Scrutiny process had worked well, particularly in light of tight timescales.

The written feedback from Scrutiny was considered and during the discussion, the following main points were made:

Adult Care and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel

·         The Leader commented that Adult Services was an area of significant pressure for the Council, due to the demand and complexity of cases. The Council was proposing a commitment of  £17.1 million gross investment to meet the demand led Adult Social Care pressures funded by 3% Adult Social Care Council Tax precept (£8.1 million),  an increase in social care grant (£6.1 million covering adults and children with £3.5 million for adults), an Increase in Improved Better Care Fund income (£0.5 million), Market Sustainability and Fair Cost of Care (MSFCC) Fund (£1.6 million) leaving the funding to be bridged at £3.4 million, for which the potential for joint funding was being explored with health.

·         There were also concerns around the pressures in the care market and the challenges around the new Care Act.

·         In response to a members question about whether the dependence on external funding meant that the budget for adult social care was fragile, the Leader provided reassurance that, although there was a significant funding package for adult social care and national funding was helping, he was confident of the budget’s sufficiency.  The Fair Funding Review was welcomed and for future years, the number of domiciliary care packages which the Council would need to fund was unknown and would influence future budgets.  The Chief Executive added that although the Council was in a strong position this year,  there was always pressure in the market and the Fair Funding Review was critical.  The Council had an obligation to meet all eligible demand on the service; there was no choice, demand was growing as was the type and length of care required. The increase in National Insurance was also a big issue.

·         The point was made that the demand pressures and fragility of the care market in Worcestershire and the impact of Covid was a concern.  The Leader explained that this year had seen the most significant increase in demand for adult social care since 2005, and that the majority of the Budget was for adult social care and that there was also provision in reserves to mitigate any market shocks.  An indication had been received that the Fair Funding Review would take place in 2023/24

·         The Chief Financial Officer explained that £300m (81%) of the Councils Budget was from Council Tax, £60m was from Government grants (which would be subject to the Fair funding Review) and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1232.

Member Update

The following issues were discussed:

·       At its last meeting, the Adult Care and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Panel discussed the Fair and Transparent Care Project

·       The Vice-Chairman referred to a recent news report about looked after children (LAC) being aware of siblings and suggested that reassurance should be sought from Worcestershire Children First about how LAC children in Worcestershire were made aware of their siblings.

·       At the next meeting of Corporate and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel the Panel would be looking at smarter, greener ways of working.

·       A concern was expressed about member attendance and Panel meetings which would be discussed further outside of the meeting.

·       The Lead Member for Crime and Disorder advised that he was looking into Environmental, rural and wildlife crime and if needed would report back to the Board with a view to bringing a future report.

Work Programme

·       It was agreed that February’s meeting was not needed and the next meeting of the Board would be 23 March.

·       The following issues were added to the Work Programme:

v  Future of Redditch Library

v  Corporate Plan.