Councillor Tyerman was elected Chairman of the Working Party.

Councillor Bent was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Working Party.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor O’Dwyer.

To note the Terms of Reference.

Members of the Working Party agreed the Terms of Reference set out below:

Adult Services

(i)    To understand the reasons for the in year overspend.

(ii)   In light of the recent inception of the Integrated Care Organisation, to make recommendations as to how there can be appropriate oversight by the Council for financial control and performance standards for Adult Social Care going forward.

(iii)  To report its interim findings to the Executive Director by 24 November 2015 and its further findings to the Executive Director and the Audit Committee at its meeting in January 2016.

Children Services

(i)    To analyse the 2014/2015 and current year overspend.

(ii)   To review the budgets within Children’s Services to identify if there are variances from local or national benchmarking.

(iii)  To review the 5 year plan approved by Full Council;

-    to analyse how the same was circulated,

-    to consider whether on the basis of the calculations whether there is any prospect of the service meeting the requirements of the approved plan,

-    to identify whether there are any lessons to be learnt in this review to take forward into any future planning, including challenge of the new 5 year plan when available.

(iv)  On the outcome of (i), (ii) and (iii) above formulate areas of constructive challenge for Children’s Services and propose further terms of reference for the working group.

(v)   To report its interim finding to the Executive Director by 24 November 2015 and its further findings to the Executive Director and the Audit Committee at its meeting in January 2016.

To discuss the scope of the working party and agree a way forward for the review.

The Working Party agreed to split into two groups, the Children’s Group would be led by Councillor Tyerman assisted by Councillor Stocks and Councillor O’Dwyer, Councillor Bent would also be involved in this group so that he had an understanding of the issues facing both services.  The Adults Group would be led by Councillor Bent assisted by Councillor Barnby and Councillor Stringer.

Members requested the Chief Finance Officer and Head of the Devon Audit Partnership prepare a full cost analysis for Children Services for the last two years, broken down into quarters in order to identify trends by the week commencing 16 November 2015.