Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services.

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services concerning the Quarter 2 estimated outturn for the Community and Children’s Services Committee budget.

The following points were noted:

• The forecast showed a projected underspend of £644,000, mainly due to a higher-than-expected Home Office grant.
• Concerns were raised about the budget pressures and the need for a strategy to avoid an overspend in the next financial year.
• Questions were asked about the certainty of the Home Office grant. It was confirmed that the grant is secure and would not be reclaimed.
• The issue of temporary agency costs in social care was discussed, with explanations provided about the need to backfill critical posts and the use of grants to offset these costs.