Agenda item

Recommendations:

That the Executive:

a. notes the latest position for the County Council’s 2022/23 Revenue Budget, as summarised in paragraph 2.1.2.

b. notes the position on the GWB (paragraphs 2.4.1 to 2.4.3)

c. notes the position on the ‘Strategic Capacity – Unallocated’ reserve (paragraphs 2.4.4)

d. notes the latest position regarding the Local Government Review transition fund (paragraphs 2.5.1)

e. notes the position on the County Council’s Treasury Management activities during the second quarter of 2022/23

f. refers this report to the Audit Committee for their consideration as part of the overall monitoring arrangements for Treasury Management.

g. Approve the refreshed Capital Plan summarised at paragraph 4.2.3

h. Approve the proposal to expand capacity at Springwater School including the associated rationalisation of neighbouring office accommodation (paragraph 4.4.7.4)

i. Agree that no action be taken at this stage to allocate any additional capital resources (paragraph 4.5.7)

 

Considered:  A joint report of the Chief Executive and Corporate Director - Strategic Resources,

bringing together key aspects of the County Council’s performance on a quarterly basis.

 

County Councillor Carl Les introduced the Quarter 3 performance monitoring and budget report, confirming it provided an overview on all of the ambitions of the County Council but with a key focus on the council plan ambition for ‘Every child and young person has the best possible start in life’.

 

County Councillor David Chance provided a summary of the Executive performance report and confirmed the Authority continued to make progress in delivering its wide-range of ambitions.  He drew specific attention to the ongoing challenges which included:

·         The cost of living crisis affecting all parts of the county creating an increased demand on Council services;

·         The combined effects of Covid-19 and an increase in flu cases;

 

In regard to his own portfolio area, he confirmed the Council’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities, and provided an update on a range of initiatives delivered via the North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund, and the second allocation of the Government’s Household Support Fund.  He also provided a brief update on:

·          the Homes for Ukraine Scheme and Afghan refugee programme

·          The work of the Customer Services team

·          Support for the local economy through the Authority’s spend with local suppliers (55%)

 

County Councillor Janet Sanderson introduced the in-depth focus of the performance report on ‘Every child & young person has the best possible start in life’.  She drew attention to the rising demand for EHCPs and the associated financial pressures.  She also highlighted:

·          The increasing demand at the front door, which had led to an increase in referrals to Children’s Social Care;

·          The ongoing issues around resources, staff retention and capacity

·          The sharp increase in the number of Looked After Children coming into the Authority’s care, half of whom were unaccompanied asylum seeking children.  Plus 15 young people awaiting allocation and accommodation through the national transfer scheme – she commended officers for their sensitivity in handling the situation and their creativity in finding suitable accommodation;

·          The commendation from the Chief Constable for the work of an officer from the Youth Justice Team;

·          The reduction in the number of first time entrants, the drop in re-offending and zero custodial sentences in this year;

·          The imminent Ofsted inspections expected and the new inspection frameworks;

·          the Authority remained one of the top three performing nationally and thanked all CYPS officers for their hard work throughout the year. 

 

County Councillor Annabel Wilkinson added her thanks and drew attention to the support given to schools who in some cases, were continuing to struggle financially due to rising inflation etc.  

 

Members went on to consider the remaining sections of the performance report and in response to Scrutiny Board members queries, it was confirmed that:

·         SEND services were currently under review, with a new SEND educational strategy - attention was drawn to a 2022 report on the increase in mental health issues in children

·         The rise in the number of children with autism was as a result of improvements in diagnosis - it was noted that earlier diagnosis led to improved life chances for those children.

·         The number of suitable places for autistic children was a problem nationally - plans to increase provision across the county were being developed;

·         The government’s response to the Green Paper was long overdue, with significant system reform required. It was noted the Authority remained under funded by the DfE;

·         The Authority remained under the national rate for the number of EHCPs;

·         In regard free school meals, there had been an increase in the number of online inquiries as a result of a recent national campaign, but this had not resulted in a marked increase in the number of eligible families.

·         The was no established evidence base to support a relationship between behavioural issues/low attainment levels in school children and a lack of access to regular nutritious meals and stability at home etc, although anecdotally it was acknowledged – it was noted the county had a good number of breakfast clubs, and associated support was being given to families through other Public Health initiatives.

·         A review of the Yorbus Pilot was scheduled to take place soon in order to inform the next steps.  It was noted there were a possible 10 zones that would be suitable and viable for a Yorbus style service. The cost per passenger journey was approx. £11-£13, in comparison to a subsidised bus service cost per passenger journey in the trial zone of between £8-£9.  It was noted a subsidised bus service only benefitted those residents living along its fixed route, whereas the flexible Yorbus approach maximised the number of people who could benefit from the service.

·         The dangerous defect KPI target of 99% remained an ambitious challenge, which the Authority would continue to aim for in the future;

·         The improved satisfaction survey results in relation NY Highways were subjective based on public perception and it was difficult to assess the underlying reasons.  One area requiring improvement was cycle routes and facilities;

·         Information on street lighting defects repaired within 7 days would be circulated after the meeting;

·         A bespoke induction process was in place for international recruits working in Public Health, in order to encourage their retention, and this was being closely monitored;

 

Revenue Budget, Treasury Management & Capital Plan

County Councillor Gareth Dadd introduced each section of the report.  In regard to Revenue, he confirmed there had been little change since the last quarter’s report.  He noted it had been a challenging year with the slight underspend of net revenue budget of £2.5m having been supported by a £22.5m use of contingency.  He drew attention to the delivered planned savings of £11bn and to the potential spending of £17m of the LGR Reorganisation Fund to date for the transition phase. He noted it was not expected that the full £38m allocated to the Fund would be required.

 

In regard to Treasury Management County Councillor Gareth Dadd highlighted the in-house expertise in the investment team and commended their work.  He also noted the £13.3m drop in external total debt expected this year.

 

In regard to the Capital Plan, it was noted the County received the lowest capital allocation in the country per pupil, for high needs provision.  The implications on the budget of spending capital were also noted. 

 

Finally, attention was drawn to the plans for increasing capacity at Springwater School.

 

Having considered the report and the information provided at the meeting in full, Executive Members were referred to the recommendations in the report, and it was

 

Resolved – That:

a.    The latest position for the County Council’s 2022/23 Revenue Budget, as summarised in paragraph 2.1.2 of the report be noted.

b.    The position on the GWB (paragraphs 2.4.1 to 2.4.3) be noted

c.    The position on the ‘Strategic Capacity – Unallocated’ reserve (paragraphs 2.4.4) be noted

d.    The latest position regarding the Local Government Review transition fund (paragraphs 2.5.1) be noted

e.    The position on the County Council’s Treasury Management activities during the second quarter of 2022/23 be noted

f.     The report be referred to the Audit Committee for their consideration as part of the overall monitoring arrangements for Treasury Management.

g.    The refreshed Capital Plan summarised at paragraph 4.2.3 be approved

h.    The proposal to expand capacity at Springwater School including the associated rationalisation of neighbouring office accommodation (paragraph 4.4.7.4) be approved

i.     That no action be taken at this stage to allocate any additional capital resources (paragraph 4.5.7)