Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25th February 2008 be approved as a correct record.

The Service Accountant (Adult Social Services) submitted a Budget Monitoring Report which provided  a financial forecast for the Adult Services Department within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate to the end of March, 2008 based on actual income and expenditure to the end of January, 2008. 

During the year there had been a number of budget pressures within the service, mainly in respect of the non-achievement of a number of savings proposals, built into the 2007/08 budget, for reducing service level agreements with voluntary and community sector providers in addition to demand pressures on domiciliary and residential care budgets. These had been reported throughout the year in previous budget monitoring reports. A number of management actions to reduce these pressures were also identified. However, subsequent to implementing these actions, a significant pressure remained. As part of the Revised Estimates process the Cabinet approved an additional one-off budget allocation of £974,000 to reduce the projected overspend in 2007/08. The forecast position for the year, assuming the remaining management actions were fully implemented, was now a balanced budget.

Members welcomed the balanced budget and were provided with information on a number of issues, including the following:-

-                      Talking Newspaper

-                      Winter Pressures

-                      Capitalisation of Direct Payments

Resolved:- That the latest balanced financial projection against budget for the year based on actual income and expenditure to the end of January, 2008 for Adult Social Services be noted. 

(The Chairman authorised consideration of the following items to enable progress to be made)

The Strategic Director submitted a draft of a proposed consultation document for a refreshed Carers Strategy.

Resolved:- That consideration of this matter be deferred and a revised draft be submitted to Members shortly.

The Chairman circulated letters from two volunteers at the Green Lane Centre who sought information on matters relating to the Talking Book Service and the re-imbursement of costs incurred by Volunteers.

Resolved:- That the Strategic Director arrange for the letters to be responded to.