To consider a report setting out challenges and increased demands Torbay Council Children’s Services have faced over the last few years.

The Council considered the submitted report setting out a five year cost reduction plan for Children’s Services through investment in a number of work packages to reduce the costs within the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Service, including reducing the numbers and costs of children looked after.  Members noted that the proposed investments required earmarked reserves of up to £5.1 million.

It was proposed by Councillor Pritchard and seconded by Councillor Lewis:

That Council agree to:

(i)         approve the 5 year financial strategy for Children’s Services – Safeguarding and Wellbeing;

(ii)        fund the projected overspend: in 2015/16 (£2.3m) and 2016/17 (£1.1m) from reserves as set out within the submitted report;

(iii)       note the forecast overspend of £1.4m in 2014/15 which will be managed by in-year savings;

(iv)       move the £2 million social care contingency into the Children’s Services base budget (Safeguarding & Wellbeing) in 2014/15 and future years;

(v)        the improvement actions as recommended by Social Finance as set out within the submitted report;

(vi)       the Director of Children’s Services and the Children’s Services Finance Manager reporting back to the Mayor and the Executive Lead for Children’s on a quarterly basis and present updated reports to the Overview and Scrutiny Board on performance both operational and financial;

(v)        the repayment of reserves as set out within the submitted report;

(vi)       the strict performance management mechanism for the changes as set out in the submitted report;

(vii)      the new Head of Safeguarding Children is a joint appointment with Health and Torbay Council. This post will be funded from within existing resources but will link together the two key providers of safeguarding services and extend the scope to shape new alternative options for children in the statutory system in the future;  and

(viii)     the implementation of Family Functional Therapy (FFT) using a special purpose vehicle (SPV) and the associated setup costs of approximately £0.2m funded from corporate reserves (as set out at Appendix 4 of the submitted report).

On being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried.

To consider a report setting out challenges and increased demands Torbay Council Children’s Services have faced over the last few years.

The Chairman advised that this item had been deferred.