Agenda item

Gemma McNamara, Finance Manager - Transformation, presented the report which laid out the draft revenue budget and capital programme for the services within the remit of the Social Care, Housing and Public Health Policy Overview Committee for the financial year 2021/22.

Members queried the development of risk contingency in paragraphs 31 – 35 of the report which was based on the 2020/21 data. The Committee were informed that the figures were based on the current financial year with growth added on to that. Members noted that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was still being calculated and due to the volatility and uncertainty of the current situation, the impact would need to be factored into longer-term financial planning.

Members highlighted paragraph 45 of the report, specifically the £200k uplift in the £250k budget established in February 2016 for autism respite accommodation on the 1 & 2 Merrimans site and queried the extended period of time that the project had taken so far. It was highlighted that a range of technical issues with the suitability of the build and ensuring the right design for the intended clients had been the main factors in the length of time associated with the project.

The Committee emphasised the Better Care Fund and the utilisation of the funding to better support health and social care integration as a positive move for residents, although it was noted that there could be a challenge in terms of seeking agreement between health partners, especially in what has been a difficult year for all services. Officers stated that the work done in light of moving towards an integrated care pathway, known as Hillingdon Health and Care Partners, would start to materialise in the coming year; it was also noted that within this change there would be a shift in funding towards the preventative care provision.

The Committee congratulated officers on the well-balanced budget proposals, especially given the constantly shifting environment. The following comments were proposed by the Chairman to be submitted to Cabinet on behalf of the Committee:

“The Social Care, Housing and Public Health Policy and Overview Committee commends officers on the budget proposals, maintaining services for residents, with appropriate contingency provision for service pressures. Proposals for priority growth within Domestic Abuse are welcomed, as are proposals within the capital programme for autism respite accommodation and the investment in general needs housing within the HRA. The committee also welcomes the approach to innovation, delivering service transformation.”

The Committee gave general agreement to the proposed comments and were encouraged by reference to the proposed priority growth within Domestic Abuse services. A question in relation to budget setting and the number residents in receipt of Adult Social Care services was raised, with reference to the long-term impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Officers noted that the headcount of residents in receipt of services was usually fairly stable and it was the cost of care delivery which tended to increase; this year however there had been more of a fluctuation in headcount due to the impact of the pandemic, specifically with regard to residential and nursing care. Officers advised that the base budgets and contingency was set using the same approach as previous years and any impact that Covid-19 may have on the base budgets for 2021/22 was to be managed using the Council’s Covid-19 contingency budget.

Although general approval was given for the proposed comments, Members were minded to receive further clarification officers before giving formal agreement to the comments. The Chairman agreed to consult with the Opposition lead on the final approved comments.

RESOLVED:  That the Committee gave general agreement to the proposed comments and that, upon receiving clarification from the Corporate Director of Social Care, the Chairman agree the final comments to be submitted to Cabinet in consultation with the Opposition lead.