Agenda and minutes

TheChairwelcomedeveryoneto the meeting and Members introduced themselves. 

Apologies were received from County Councillors Joe Plant, Andrew Jenkinson and David Jeffels.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice and provided the text to Melanie Carr of Democratic Services (contact details below) no later than midday on Friday 14 January 2022. Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item.  Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:

·           at this point in the meeting if their questions/statements relate to matters which are not otherwise on the Agenda (subject to an overall time limit of 30 minutes);

·           when the relevant Agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the Agenda for this meeting.

If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chairman who will instruct those taking a recording to cease whilst you speak.

There were no public questions or statements.

The Committee are recommended to note the report and refer their comments on the County Council’s budget for 2022/23 to the County Council’s Executive for consideration.

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.

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.