Agenda item

To consider the Provisional Revenue Outturn for 2016/2017 compared with the approved budget and the capital expenditure in the year ended 31 March 2017 with sources of funding.

The Committee considered the Provisional Revenue Outturn for 2016/2017 compared with the approved budget and the capital expenditure in the year ended 31 March 2017 with sources of funding.

The report was presented by Mr S. Thompson, Director of Resources. He provided a summary of the current situation before responding to questions from the Committee.

In relation to Ward Budgets, the Committee noted the scheme commitments of £287,000 being carried forward into 2017/2018, although the report also indicated a £39,000 overspend relating to expected income not being realised. Members asked for more information on this and Mr Thompson explained that the £287,000 would carry over in full, although he agreed to find out more detail regarding the £39,000 and report back in due course.

The Committee pointed out the overspending and income shortfalls of £109,000 in Illuminations, within the Places Directorate and asked what was being done to ensure income shortfalls were minimised in the future. Mr Thompson explained that the Director of Place would try to compensate for the indicated shortfall going forward and that actions would be put in place from lessons learnt over the previous year.

Pointing out that the income target for Parking Services had not been achieved, the Committee asked for details as to what was being done to improve the situation during the current year. Mr P. Pertica, Head of Visitors Services explained that a review had been carried out and all possible actions were being taken to improve payment methods for public parking. Councillor Smith, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Economic Development added that there had been a number of issues with payment machines that had now been rectified and he was confident that the target would be met this year.

The Committee discussed the £5.4m overspend within Children’s Services which was largely attributable to the high numbers of looked after children within the borough. Members highlighted the fact that numbers had continued to rise and had ended at an all-time high of 529 by the end of March 2017. Asked how long it might be before numbers were reduced, Mr Thompson pointed out that on average, 30 new care admissions were made each month but this had recently dropped to 23. A number of new initiatives were underway under the leadership of the new Director of Children’s Services, including more residential family placements, which were helping to reduce the overall numbers of looked after children. Members sought assurances that no children were being put at risk whilst the initiatives were underway to reduce the overall numbers of looked after children. Councillor Campbell explained that the efforts being undertaken would ensure the children were safe, whilst at the same time reducing the high numbers of children placed in care. She added further that no one within the Council would put a child at risk and such practice would never be accepted. The Chairman added that he was confident that the welfare of the children was being put first at all times.

Mr Paolo Pertica, Head of Visitors Services, indicated that as a result of his role on Bsafe Blackpool, he was aware that there had been a national upsurge of children being admitted to care and that the issue was not exclusive to Blackpool or the North West of the Country. This had occurred largely as a result of a small number of high profile failures in recent years and a tendency for the authorities to have adopted a more risk averse attitude. Councillor Campbell added that a gradual reduction in numbers was now hoped for, based upon current initiatives that were underway, although she was confident that all children who were currently placed in care, actually needed to be there.

The Committee went on to ask about the referrals process for children in care and questioned whether the current numbers of referrals being made were appropriate. Mr Pertica explained that currently, too many inappropriate referrals were being made, pointing out that on the basis of a risk averse approach, there has been a tendency to make referrals when alternative actions might have been considered more appropriate. For example, it may not be appropriate to undertake a full referral for a child who was considered to be within a safe family environment. He explained that work was being undertaken within the various agencies to reduce the amount of inappropriate referrals.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

Background papers: None.