Agenda and minutes

The following Member made a declaration of interest at the commencement of the meeting:

Cllr S Reynolds: Report of the Director of Social Services Health and Housing re: Consultation on the Social Services Budget and Draft Savings 2018/19 as she is a trustee of Canolfan Maerdy and Director of Y Banwen.

The Committee received information concerning the savings proposals for the Social Services Budget and draft savings for 2018/19 as contained within the circulated report.

Andrew Jarrett was welcomed to the meeting, the first in his new role as Director of Social Services Health and Housing. He explained that the Forward Financial Plan required savings of £4.55m from the Social Services Directorate. It was stated that the main ‘pillars’ of savings are planned to be via the Asset Based Approach and Direct Payments.

Members noted the current climate of austerity but stated that to allow for full scrutiny, detailed breakdowns of costs needed to be included in the report alongside the percentage each proposed budget saving is representing. The Director of Finance explained that generally the savings required represent a 10% budget cut and that there are not individual ‘pots’ of money to be allocated against each savings target, but an overall pot from which all savings will be delivered. Members remained concerned about the level of detail contained within the report and felt they could not perform robust scrutiny of the proposals with this level of detail lacking.

The Chief Executive stated that the level of detail included in the proposed budget savings strategies was not unique to the Social Services Directorate and that fuller detail would be added to the proposals as they develop and reminded the Committee that the Council have a legal requirement to set a balanced budget. The discussion at today’s meeting is to inform the consultation on the budget proposals before the Council’s final budget is put before Council for approval.  Budget Monitoring will then be undertaken on a regular basis where the spend and performance in relevant areas can be considered.

The Director of Finance explained that the Budget Book is available for all members to view should they so wish and that if the Committee required more advance involvement in the budget setting process for the next financial year then this could be arranged.

SSHH801 Direct Payments

Members asked if the ‘gremlins’ in the system had been ironed out such as delays in assessment and issues with flexibility. It was explained that the service is continually evolving and improving and Members were pleased to note that a Direct Payments Social Worker is now in post and that there is currently no waiting list from the ‘front door’. Members asked how long it takes on average from referral to assessment and looked forward to the Direct Payments Task and Finish Group which will be held later in the year where further detail will be considered.

It was asked if Direct Payments would be ‘offered’ or ‘pushed’ to service users and it was explained that information would be offered in a positive way to ensure the service provided is in the best interest of the service user.

Members queried the statement that Direct Payments puts the service user in control as they felt that some service users are not able to make their own decisions.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.