The Senior Business Partner introduced a report of the Director of Children, Families and Education which provided members with an overview of budget performance, including progress on the delivery of the 2022-23 saving programme and a summary of reserves.

Members were advised how at the end of quarter 2, there was a forecast adverse position of £2.297m on the Committees net revenue budget of £79.234m. Members were further advised how there had been significant movements since the last report, largely due to 3 main issues:

·  Forecast increased costs of £1.1m from the employers proposed pay award, over and above the original 3% built into the 2022-23 budget;

·  SEND assisted travel contract, with inflation now estimated at over 30%

·  Increased numbers of children in care, after a year of reducing numbers, particularly in young people placed in high -cost residential settings.

In response to a question, members were advised how due to the overspend in the high needs (SEND) block, the DfE have arranged for consultants to review what can be improved to become more cost effective. It was explained how in Wirral there is a higher than average proportion of children with SEND who are educated in a specialist setting rather than within a mainstream school In response to a further question, members heard how the ‘Transforming Care’ project is projected to create savings when new properties are opened in the new year.

Resolved – That

(1)  the forecast revenue position presented at Quarter 2 be noted;

(2)   the progress on delivery of the 2022-23 savings programme at Quarter 2 be noted;

(3)   the forecast level of reserves at Quarter 2 be noted; and

(4)   the forecast capital position presented at Quarter 2 be noted.