Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Finance Manager (Adult Services), which provided a financial forecast for the Adult Services Department within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate to the end of March, 2013 based on actual income and expenditure to the end of May, 2012. 

It was reported that the forecast for the financial year 2012/13 was a balanced budget against an approved net revenue budget of £74.567M.

The latest year end forecast showed a number of underlying budget pressures which were being offset by a number of forecast underspends:-

·        A forecast underspend on Adults General Maintenance and Training mainly due to savings on charges for postages, telephones and printing

·        Forecast overspends within Older People’s services on In-House Residential Care, further increase in demand for Direct Payments and on In-House Transport offset by underspend on Enabling Care, Independent Sector Home Care, less clients for independent residential and nursing care and slippage in developing Dementia Services within Community Mental Health budgets

·        Within Learning Disabilities an overspend on Residential Care budgets, recurrent budget pressure on Day Care Transport, additional high cost placements receiving Independent Sector Day Care Provision, increased demand for Direct Payments offset by underspend within Independent Sector Supported Living Schemes

·        A Forecast overspend on Direct Payments within Mental Health Services due to increased demand was offset by slippage in developing Supported Accommodation within Community Support Services

·        Continued pressure on Independent Sector Domiciliary Care, increase in demand for Direct Payments, forecast overspend on Residential and Nursing Care offset by underspend on Community Support contracts and slippage in developing alternatives to residential provision were the main variations within Physical and Sensory Disability services.

·        Slight underspend on employee budgets within Adults Safeguarding

·        Efficiency savings in Supporting People contracts

Total expenditure on Agency staff for Adult Services so far was £40,376 compared with an actual cost of £40,050 for the same period last year.  The main costs were in respect of assessment and care management staff to cover vacancies and sickness.  There had been no expenditure on consultancy to date.

There had been £40,580 spend up to the end of May, 2012, on non-contractual overtime for Adult Services compared with expenditure of £49,884 for the same period last year.

Discussion ensued on the report with the following issues raised/clarified:-

-        The increase in the number of Direct Payments due to a number of clients wishing to retain their existing provider

-        Continuing Health Care funding

Resolved:-  (1)  That the latest financial projection against budget for 2012/13 be noted.

(2)  That the work being undertaken on developing a joint protocol between the Council and NHS Rotherham, light of the Health Select Commission’s Review findings, on Continuing Health Care be noted.