Agenda item

Annual Budget 2018/19

The Head of Corporate Resources introduced the report.

Councillor Sorba asked whether there had been any changes to the Grants budget and was told there was none. Following a question from Councillor Sorba it was noted that the payment of £855k from the general grant programme was a one off grant.

Business Panel noted there had been requests from the community for the Mayor to review his decision in relation to CAMHS funding. The Chair invited representatives from CAMHS and Lewisham CCG to make a presentation to the Panel.

The presentation to Panel Members highlighted the following.

Members of the Community was aware this is a government cut but are asking that the Mayor’s decision to cut funding by £150k to be reviewed for the following reasons:

·         A few months ago there were 150 patients on the waiting list, and this number had come down significantly, but would rise again and patients would have to wait for a very long time if funding is reduced.

·         The current CAMHS budget is not working as there is insufficient resources.

·         Officers were told there would not be cuts but they have now found that there would be a 5% reduction amounting to £97k cuts.

·         Cuts will affect core positions about 5/6 jobs, from the remaining jobs after the last cuts.

·         Cuts are currently affecting the standard of care provided.

·         There has been a marked increase in young people admitted into hospital.

·         It is becoming increasingly difficult for staff to make critical decisions under the current jobs threat.

·         Experienced staff are taking retirement at 50 because of stress.

·         Waiting time for treatment have increased from 6 weeks to 4 months.

·         CAMHS had an excellent rating report 2 years ago but this will change in future because of lack of resources.

·          Staff are concerned for the service provided to young people, as their lives are being put at risk.

The Chair thanked the representatives for their presentation, the Chair said he was aware this issue was very sensitive.

Councillor Mallory said the days when local authority would absorb the shortfall were gone, and he understood how difficult it would be for services. He said Members needed assurance that Lewisham CCG would review their decision.

The Chair said a referral from the CYP Select Committee had been made to Mayor and Cabinet. Councillor Sorba, Chair of CYP Select Committee explained the background of the referral.

Following further discussion in which the Head of Corporate Resources updated Panel Members on how much of the reserves had been used to date to balance the budget, Business Panel agreed the following:

Business Panel endorsed the Children and Young People Select Committee’s

Comments to Mayor and Cabinet.

Business Panel would like an urgent officer report reviewing how Lewisham

CCG would be dealing with the CAMHS budget they are responsible for. The

report to also include other possible options to make necessary budget

adjustments to achieve a standstill CAMHS budget. Business Panel would

urge Mayor and Cabinet not to proceed with the budget proposal in relation to

this issue until this report had been considered.

RESOLVED that: 

i.              the CYP Select Committee comments be endorsed.

ii.            the Mayor be requested to instruct officers to produce a report on the CAMHS budget, looking at other options that could be considered to ensure a standstill CAMHS budget.

iii.           the Mayor be requested to reverse his previous 2018/19 budget decision on CAMHS until the officer report is considered.

Pay Statements

The Head of Organisational Development, Human Resources introduced the report.

The Chair was happy to announce that Lewisham was amongst the top 3 percentile offering favourable pay to women. The Chair enquired whether the pay and pension arrangements of the outgoing Chief Executive would affect Lewisham’s pension fund, and was told Lewisham did not have any liability when he was transferred to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The Chair said it was useful to have this clarified. The Chair thanked officers for the report.

RESOLVED that the decision of the Mayor be noted.

Green Capital Grants – Permission to Bid – Beckenham Place Park

 The Head of Corporate Resources introduced the report.

The Chair said he had become aware of the decline in public and community involvement in capital projects. He said that he understood this might not be appropriate for bids but they should be involved in the delivery. The Head of Corporate Resources said that because of the time constraints officers had to proceed quickly, but they would ensure that consultation take place on delivery if the bid was successful.

Action >>>>>>         ED Res & Regen.

RESOLVED that the decision of the Mayor be noted.