The report allows Members the opportunity to review the draft Budget, Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme presented to Executive on 6 December 2011.

Members are requested to bring their 6 December 2011 Executive papers (Items 8 & 9) to this Committee meeting.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services presented the Council’s Draft Budget 2012/13 report, which also contained details of the Medium Term Financial Plan 2012 to 2016 and Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16. In doing so, he drew the Committee’s attention to the Council’s formula grant, budget assumptions, reserves, pressures and efficiencies, and specifically, to those budgets (both revenue and capital) pertaining to the Children’s Services directorate. The Executive Member also wished to praise his officers for delivering a balanced budget in challenging economic circumstances.

Members of the Committee discussed the contents of the report in detail and raised a number of queries regarding the following issues, which were addressed by the Executive Member and officers in attendance:

·        The impact the increasing prevalence of academy schools was having on the Council’s funding streams (i.e. Revenue Support Grant and Direct Schools Grant). Also, the ability to continue to provide traded services to schools. The Executive Member confirmed that the Council’s provision of traded services to schools was currently the subject of fundamental review and acknowledged that in many instances, such services could be provided more competitively in the private sector. He assured the Committee however that the provision of statutory (free) services would continue;

·        The accountability of approved academy school partners. The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Children’s Services confirmed that schools that wished to become academy were free to resolve to appoint any partner, which had been approved by the Secretary of State for Education.

·        The impact efficiency savings identified within Special Educational Needs would have on those children requiring such assistance. The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Children’s Services assured the Committee that outcomes for children would not be affected and confirmed that addressing children and young people’s mental health was a priority for the Council and its partners;

·        The prioritisation and adequacy of capital budgets to address health and safety issues at individual schools. The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Children’s Services confirmed that health and safety assessments had been undertaken of all schools and bids for capital funds submitted to the Department for Education, which would allocate funding accordingly. Final notification of such funding was still awaited but once received, schools would be informed and work would commence in order of assessed priority. Schools had been informed of the timetable for notice. The Director also assured the Committee that a contingency fund existed for emergencies;

·        The difficulty, particularly for newer Members, in understanding the complexities of local government finance and budget setting in particular. The Executive Member acknowledged the issue and agreed that a timely briefing/training session for Members (and co-optees) in future years would be sensible. Officers would ensure such a session was added to the Member training and development programme.

·        The permission given to some schools to formally consult on changing their age range. The Executive Member confirmed that following such consultation and under delegated Executive authority, he would be making a decision regarding these requests in April 2012 in public session. He also confirmed that relevant ward Members from the Dunstable and Houghton Regis area had been invited to a meeting beforehand (17 or19 January 2012, to be confirmed), when the issue would be discussed in greater detail. The Executive Member also assured the Committee that any decision made in April would have regard to the impact on neighbouring schools.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the Draft Budget 2012/13, Medium Term Financial Plan 2012-16 and the Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16 be endorsed as set out.