Issue - meetings

Resolved: the committee noted the proposals but expressed concern about making further reductions to the adult social care budget at a time when the service is already facing difficulties meeting its obligations.

David Austin (Acting Chief Finance Officer) introduced the report. A discussion followed and the following key points were noted:

5.1       Officers have followed the same budget cuts process as last year.

5.2       There is some uncertainty about the level of cuts the council needs to find as the government is yet to provide guidance on funding after 2019/20.

5.3       The Medium Term Financial strategy assumes the need for further cuts.

5.4       There are four proposed budget cuts from the Community Services Directorate.

5.5       Three of the proposals (COM1a, COM2a, COM3a) continue on from proposals from last year.

5.6       The proposals from last year are being successfully delivered and finding the money anticipated.

5.7       Demand management and an asset-based approach is about preventing need.

5.8       The Care Act has enabled a refocus on prevention and early intervention.

5.9       Social care funding can be moved to other areas as long as it is not ringfenced.

5.10    This year, for example, additional social care grant received was put towards children’s social care.

5.11    The committee noted that the increasing number of young people with high support needs transitioning from children’s to adult social care services is going to create significant funding pressures.

5.12    Adult social care funding is under pressure from young people transitions and earlier hospital discharges.

5.13    There is a transitions task and finish group in place looking at the number of young people transitioning to adult social care and the type of care they are likely to need going forward.

5.14    There are longer term plans to develop more services in order to reduce reliance on more costly out-of-borough placements.

5.15    Proposal COM3a will increase revenue by carrying out prompt financial assessments and charging clients six weeks earlier.

Resolved: the committee noted the proposals but expressed concern about making further reductions to the adult social care budget at a time when the service is already facing difficulties meeting its obligations.