none

The Director of Corporate Services said the council is facing a £15.3 million gap over the next four years. A budget report went to Cabinet in September which addressed issues such as inflation, council tax, the capital programme and revenue to fund it. Undelivered savings in the medium term are under review. If they cannot be delivered departments may need to find alternative savings.

Councillor Suzanne Grocott asked the Panel to agree the following motion:

That the Healthier Communities and Older People Overview and Scrutiny Panel to review the weightings used to determine departmental savings targets and their appropriateness in relation to the previously approved “July principles”.

Councillor Bull seconded the motion

The Chair asked for clarification about the proposal and how the weightings should be re-adjusted. Councillor Grocott responded that she would need to see figures for each department to understand  the impact of any changes to the current weightings. The rationale for the motion was based on the fact that the weightings have been in place for the last five years since the 2011 July principles were agreed; there has been no further discussion about whether they are still appropriate.. 

The Director of Corporate Services said reducing the weighting for Community and Housing Department to 0.75%, the same as Children Schools and Families, will have the following impact on savings to be found:

£240,000 increase for Children, Schools and Families

£319, 000 increase for Corporate Services

£457, 000 increase in Environment and Regeneration

Offset by a £1,016k reduction in savings for Community and Housing. This is on the basis of controllable budgets, with shortfalls in savings rolled forward.

The Director of Corporate Services said the Cabinet reviewed the weightings at their September meeting and it was agreed that no changes were required at this time.

Councillor Grocott said there needed to be greater clarity for maintaining the same levels as Community and Housing  should not be at a lower level than Children School’s and Families.

A panel member said all departments are under strain and a change in one area will have a detrimental impact on another area.

A panel member said this is an issue of transparency of the criteria used to make the decision.

Councillor Mark Allison Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance said this issue is on the agenda for Council next week and a full discussion will take place in that forum. Councillor Grocott said she hoped the Panel would agree the motion which would mean less of a debate would be required at Full Council.

Those in favour of the motion:

Councillors;  Grocott, Bull and  Brian Lewis-Lavender.

Those against the motion:

Councillors; Peter McCabe, Sally Kenny, Laxmi Atwar, Brenda Fraser, Mary Curtin.

Therefore the motion was not supported by the Panel.

The Chair invited the Director of Community and Housing to provide an overview of the adult social care savings.

The Director of Community and Housing said we are moving to difficult territory in regards to making savings as the easier  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Director of Community and Housing gave an overview of the report and said the Care Act is the biggest consolidation of care legislation in fifty years. Many of the duties had existed before. The aim of the Act is to make care services fairer and to promote wellbeing as well include the rights of carers.

A panel member asked of we will be focussed on prevention and the Director of Community and Housing said we will maintain a small and focussed prevention programme.

A panel member asked how the voluntary sector and the council will work together to provide information and advice. The Director of Community and Housing said this is already in place. Seven voluntary organisation are working on a network basis to give information and advice. We also have Merton-i, an online information access point.

Hayley James said there has been an increase in demand for information and advice. Merton and Lambeth Citizens Advice Bureau took 87 calls in one day and will be working with partners to develop a Merton Advice Brand.

RESOLVED

The Panel noted the Care Act report

none