PAPER B


 

SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE –  15 APRIL 2004

 

BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF FEBRUARY 2004

 

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING

 

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

 

This report sets out the budget and spending position on revenue for the services within this Committee remit, as at the end of February.  The figures at Appendix 1 do not include budgets that are controlled elsewhere.  These are monitored by the Committee, which bears responsibility for the item concerned.  (For example, Resources Select Committee monitors the building maintenance budget centrally, and building maintenance costs are not therefore shown against individual services below). For information a Building Maintenance monitor has been included at Appendix 1A. 

 

REVENUE EXPENDITURE (2003/04)

 

The net expenditure statement up to 29th February 2004 for the Social Services and Housing budgets is set out in Appendix 1.

 

The  previous year reduction in the  promoting independence grant is an on-going pressure of £148,000 on the two independent living resource centres.  These are of central importance in reducing hospital bed blocking and promoting independence. 

 

As part of the 2003/4 budget settlement the Directorate has to achieve a savings target of £272,000.  To date £228,000 has been identified leaving £44,000 still to be achieved on an on-going basis.

 

The Directorate is working towards a balanced budget for the year, however at this time it is considered prudent to highlight a potential overspend at the end of the financial year of approximately £153,000.  This is approximately 0.5% of the net budget for the Directorate. This takes into account the above cost pressures of the reduction in the promoting independence grant and the savings target still to be identified. This is deemed to be within the limits of tolerance and the situation will continue to be closely monitored.

 

A further cost pressure has arisen within the community care budget  in relation to the residential care costs of the  Older People client group.  This is due to an increase in the proportion of higher cost placements.  This situation is being closely monitored by the Head of Adult Services and measures are being taken to reduce the impact of this by the end of the financial year.

 

The largest unknown item in relation to the potential outturn position is the income levels relating to residential care client contributions. This is due to changes in the benefit system from October 03 relating to Pension Credit and Residential Allowance which has resulted in financial assessments being undertaken for affected clients.  It is anticipated that the full impact of this on the budget for residential care will not be fully evident until the end of the financial year. 

 

FREE NURSING CARE POOLED BUDGET

 

The next quarterly monitoring report for the nursing care pooled budget will be produced after the end of March.  The current projected underspend attributable to Social Services as at the end of December is £448,000 and has been taken into account across the relevant client groups in the overall position reported in Appendix 1.

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE (2003/04)

 

The capital expenditure is set out in Appendix 2. We will be reporting on this area at each Committee.  Most of the allocation is for social housing.  In most years, the Housing Capital Programme is approved early in the year, when the funding/programme is committed.  Building works proceed during the year, with the delivery/spend occurring largely in the last quarter of the year. 

 

Appendices

 

Contact Point: Kerry Hubbleday ( 520600 ext.2213

 

 

                                                                        GORDON KENDALL

                                                Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing