Issue - meetings

Total Performance Monitor as at end of XXX

Meeting: 10/09/2020 - Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee (Item 82)

82 Q1 Total Performance Monitor pdf icon PDF 102 KB

A report by the Director of Finance and Support Services setting out the finance, performance, Improvement Plan, workforce, and risk positions of the authority as at the end of June 2020.

 

The Committee is asked to examine the data and supporting commentary for the Quarter 1 TPM and make any recommendations for action to the relevant Cabinet Member or Scrutiny Committee.  The Committee should particularly focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the financial, performance and risk to the Council, and the suggested changes to performance measures and targets.

 

The Chairmen of the service scrutiny committees will be invited to inform the Committee of any financial, performance or risk issues identified within their portfolio areas over the past quarter.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

82.1  The Committee considered the Quarter 1 Total Performance Monitor (TPM) report from the Director of Finance and Support Services (copy appended to the signed minutes).

 

82.2  The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report, noting it is the first full quarterly report showing the effect of COVID-19.  Key spend increases are expected in the children looked after (CLA) service and home to school transport.  Cases of COVID are rising in the UK and the chance of a second wave with further lockdown would greatly affect both the national and local economy.

 

82.3  The Chairmen of the service scrutiny committees present were invited to present a brief update on the current issues and work of their committees.

 

 

82.4  The Director of Finance and Support Services introduced the finance aspect of the report, highlighting that financial performance is very challenging at the current time and the council are lobbying for additional COVID funds.  The Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) section of the report looks forward at the issues faced and the uncertainty of funding. 

 

82.5  The Committee made comments in relation to the TPM finance report including those that follow. It:

·       Expressed concern that incidences of unsafe practice and failure to meet statutory duties have not been picked up by management or shown in the performance measures and audit processes, particularly in relation to mental health services.  Further agreed the Regulation, Audit and Accounts Committee (RAAC) should be asked to review the audit planning processes in order to highlight issues earlier in relation to both financial and operational control processes. 

·       Questioned whether empty residential care beds provided through the block contract could be used for respite care and how the Adult Services budget could be balanced without a reduction in service given the significant increase in costs.  The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health recognised the decrease in numbers accessing residential care at the moment which was due to a national concern and confidence in the care sector during the COVID-19 situation.  It was also recognised that organising respite care during the COVID crisis has been difficult.

·       Commented that proper adult social care funding is needed, and queried if the service are managing with the existing levels of mental health staff or needing to increasingly rely on volunteers.  The Cabinet Member for Adults and Health confirmed there is a shortage in the service and work is underway in trying to attract more support.  Redundancies at Gatwick Airport as a result of COVID have provided some recruitment opportunities for care workers, and the service are working with local schools, colleges and universities to promote Healthcare as a career option.  A website ‘Proud to Care’ has been developed to encourage recruitment in the sector.  The Council continues to lobby Government for proper social care funding.

·       Supported bringing the situation in relation to care market pressures to the Governments’ attention and supported the HASC Enquiry Day in January which will also consider looking at care market pressures.

·       Commented on the increased demand in the Children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82