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SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND
BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE – 7 AUGUST 2003 REPORT ON ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
ALLOCATED TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING IN 2002/03 AND 2003/04 REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER
FOR SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING |
The purpose of this report is to
provide further information and to update members on the allocation and
utilisation of additional resources.
This report sets out details of the
additional resource packages, approved by Council in February 2002 for the
2002/03 Social Services and Housing Directorates budget and also the package
approved by the Council in February 2003 for the 2003/04 budget.
To make recommendations
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO
THE 2002/03 BUDGET (APPENDIX 1)
A total net increase to the
2002/03 budget of £2.784m was approved by Council in February 2002. The expenditure of resources has been
strictly monitored to ensure the objectives have been met and adhered to. Details of expenditure are outlined within
Appendix 1. Without this generous
uplift to the directorates budget service levels would have fallen and the
directorate would have failed to meet its statutory obligations. Main pressure
areas, across all client groups are as detailed, particular attention needed to
maintain the fostering service, by increasing support and loyalty payments,
costs associated with recruitment and retention issues within the Children’s
Service and the need to support the Providor Section by a substantial increase
in fee levels. Without the fee uplift
the risk of further home closure, possibly legal action by the Registered Care
Homes Association and a further decrease in homecare capacity would have
resulted in further blockages of beds within St. Mary’s and the Council’s
inability to maintain the programme of service needed within the community thus
leaving people vulnerable and at risk.
Specialist packages for carers and
an increase in the need for L.D. placements required an uplift within the Adult
Services budget and the implementation of the Fairer Charging Policy resulted
in a substantial loss of income to the directorate’s budget.
The Council were required to reduce the numbers in bed and
breakfast, and due to the lack of grant aid to implement the Supporting People
Programme the Housing Service budget received a £217K uplift, the impact of
which is already evident, resulting in bed and breakfast occupancy already
falling.
Direct Services required an
increase in budget primarily to meet the standards of the National Care
Standards Commission, staffing, training and regulations requirements have now
been met resulting in the on-going registration of these establishments.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 2003/2004
(APPENDIX 2)
Details within Appendix 2 expenditure is being strictly monitored as are activity levels to ensure maximum benefit from the increase within Social Services and Housing base budget.
An improvement in delivery, due to
these further increases is evident.
Contact Point: Dawn Cousins,
520600 Ext. 2240
GLEN
GARROD
Strategic
Director of Social Services and Housing