North Yorkshire County Council
Scarborough and Whitby Area Constituency Committee
Minutes of the remote meeting held on Wednesday, 19th January 2022 commencing at 10.30 am.
County Councillor Clive Pearson in the Chair, plus County Councillors Clive Pearson, Derek Bastiman, Eric Broadbent, David Chance, Liz Colling, Janet Jefferson, Tony Randerson and Roberta Swiers.
In attendance: County Councillors Carl Les and Gareth Dadd.
Officers present: Gary Fielding and Louise Heaps and Melanie Carr.
Apologies: County Councillors Joe Plant, David Jeffels and Andrew Jenkinson.
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Copies of all documents considered are in the Minute Book
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Introductions & Apologies for Absence
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and Members introduced themselves.
Apologies were received from County Councillors Joe Plant, Andrew Jenkinson and David Jeffels.
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Minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2021
Resolved –
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2021, having been printed and circulated, be taken as read and confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
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Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
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Public Questions & Statements
There were no public questions or statements.
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County Council Budget Proposals 2022/23
Gary Fielding, Corporate Director for Strategic Resources gave a presentation on NYCC’s latest Budget & Mid Term Financial Strategy Forecasts, and Council Tax considerations, together with the associated risks and issues, which highlighted: · The provisional Local Government finance settlement · The extra funding made available since the last budget alongside new/additional pressures · The options for increasing the Council Tax base and Adult Social Care Precept Options – it was confirmed that the Council had the option of setting an overall increase of up to 4.49% · The year on year position based on the Council Tax options and associated cash shortfalls · The impact of Covid, the demand for services and price pressures · Market distress/collapse especially in adult social care · Inflation and pay pressures · The impact of LGR on workload · The lack of visibility post March 2023 and possible future austerity · The impact of future ASC funding reform · The need to provide a good start for the new Unitary Council · The next steps in the Budget process.
Gary Fielding also highlighted some specific financial issues affecting the Scarborough & Whitby constituency area, which included: · School projections based on May 2021/22 Start budgets, including the number of schools in deficit and the value of those deficits; · The increase in the number of schools in financial difficulty across the constituency area – it was noted primary schools were particularly affected due to a drop in pupil numbers; · A 12% rise in HAS contacts and a 13% rise in HAS referrals; · A year on year decrease of 6% in reablement; · A 42% increase in Living Well referrals between April and November 2021; · The nature of the care market and the cost of care across the constituency area – it was noted that 54% of all placements were above the Authority’s rate, and that there was insufficient choice and capacity; · The ongoing/planned highways and transport schemes across the constituency area – maps were provided showing the coverage of the free wifi available in Scarborough & Whitby;
In response to Members’ questions, Gary Fielding confirmed: · Primary School population needed to be considered on an area by area basis – it was noted that the Pupil Allocation Numbers for Scarborough Schools were due to be changed to improve the balance of numbers across the town; · Small rural school were likely to be more affected which in turn may lead to more of them closing in coming years; · All options for addressing the cost of care to the Authority were being explored, including whether the Authority should consider becoming a direct provider again; · The rates of pay and availability of ASC workers remained an ongoing concern and the steps being taken to aid staff retention e.g. the provision of a one-off payment of £300 to both NYCC care staff and to the staff of external providers;
The Chair thanked Gary Fielding for his informative presentation and it was
Resolved – That the presentation and update be noted.
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Scarborough & Whitby Area Constituency Committee Work Programme 2020/21
Considered -
The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) asking Members to review the Work Programme, taking into account the outcome of discussions on previous agenda items and any other developments taking place across the area.
It was agreed that the Business Cases for the North Yorkshire Town Deal Fund be added to the work programme for the next meeting in March 2022.
It was also agreed that a standing item be added to future agenda to allow the Executive Members present the opportunity to provide a verbal update on their portfolio areas.
Finally, County Councillors Carl Les, Gareth Dadd and David Chance provided brief verbal updates on their Executive member portfolios.
Resolved - That the Democracy Officer update the work programme to reflect the decisions made during the meeting.
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The meeting concluded at 11.50 am.