Councillors on the Scrutiny Performance Panel, which checks the council's work, looked at the draft budget for Adult Services and Child and Family Services. The Panel welcomed a net £11m rise in the Social Services budget but raised concerns about savings, moving services in-house, care fees, grant funding, unpaid carers and local care for young people. It agreed these views to send to Cabinet, the senior councillors who lead the council.
The Scrutiny Performance Panel for Social Services considered draft budget proposals for Adult Services, Child and Family Services and Tackling Poverty for 2025-26. It agreed a set of views and recommendations to put to Cabinet, welcoming a proposed £25.5m (14.9%) rise but raising concerns about savings, service levels and capacity. The Convener of the Service Improvement, Regeneration and Finance Panel will take these views to Cabinet on 20 February 2025.
The Scrutiny Performance Panel, a group of councillors who check the council's work, considered draft budget proposals for Social Services on 12 February 2024. It agreed a set of views to send to Cabinet, which meets on 15 February, and noted a rise in the Social Services budget from £157m to £171m while raising concerns about several areas.
The Panel agreed a set of views and recommendations to put to Cabinet, and the Convener of the Service Improvement and Finance Performance Panel will take them to Cabinet on 16 February.
The Panel considered draft budget proposals for Adult Services and Child and Family Services with two Cabinet Members and officers, and agreed four views to send to Cabinet. It also heard an update from the Director of Social Services on Covid-19 and staffing pressures. The minute records no decision on the Covid-19 update.