The Director of Children, Family and Education introduced her report. The report set out the financial monitoring information, revenue, and capital position, for the Children, Families and Education Committee as at Quarter 1 (30 June) of 2023/24. The report provides Members with an overview of budget performance, including progress on the delivery of the 2023-24 saving programme and a summary of reserves to enable the Committee to take ownership of the budgets and provide robust challenge and scrutiny to Officers on the performance of those budgets.

Members queried the favourable variance of £1.1 million in section 3.5 of the report and asked if this figure would reduce over time due to staff members moving up their pay scale. They were informed that this variance was based on an average across the council and noted that while staff would move up their pay scales over time, there would also be a similar level of new starters over the same time. Further work was to be undertaken to ensure the accuracy of this information.

Members queried whether all members of the Committee could attend budget workshops. The Chair agreed that a budget workshop for all members of the Committee would be welcome. Members also queried what was being done to mitigate overspends in the directorate. They were informed that various savings via changes to services and future opportunities were constantly being investigated.

Members asked if there were enough registered foster carers to cover demand and how numbers could be increased. They were informed that the service would always want to increase the number of foster carers as they can make a huge difference to a child’s life. The service was always encouraging more people to come forward and were confident that they could sell the virtues of fostering to more people.

Resolved - That

1.  The forecast revenue position presented at Quarter 1 be noted;

2.  The proposed allocation of additional £0.800m funding from the increased council budget of £2.000m, subject to council approval be noted;

3.  The progress on delivery of the 2023-24 savings programme be noted;

4.  The forecast level of reserves at Quarter 1 be noted; and

5.  The capital position at the end of Quarter 1 be noted.