Minutes:
Johnny Kyriacou presented a brief recap and update on the DSG Management Plan with a supplementary agenda paper circulated prior to the meeting. It was well known that Slough has a very large cumulative deficit in the high needs block, possibly one of the highest in the country. All local authorities with deficits are required to have a management plan to address this situation. Because the Slough cumulative deficit is so high, the Council has been invited to be part of the DfE Safety Valve program; participation in the programme requires a credible plan to bring down the in year deficit, with the aim of reducing the deficit to zero within the next three to five years. If this is achieved, then the DfE would consider writing off the cumulative deficit and essentially allowing the LA to start again from zero. Form members were reminded that SEND services are under pressure following the outcome of the local area SEND inspection.
It was emphasised that the process is about efficiencies not cuts, ensuring that the LA is spending the money in the right way and in a prudent way. Over the next five years, the LA is looking to save around £7 million. There is a new SEND management team in place, decisions are being made more robustly, openly and transparently. This has resulted in savings of around £2.5 million, reducing the projected in-year deficit for 2022-23 from £7.5 million down to around £4.9m.
The supplementary agenda paper set out the broad areas being targeting for efficiencies, for example, independent non-maintained special schools, having a effective panel decisions, and looking at the commissioning of special services for young people with sensory impairments.
Johnny Kyriacou acknowledge that previously there had been a less robust approach to financial management within high needs, in addition to the strategic management of service; this is now changing. The key area where decisions are made is the SEND panel which is now is open to everybody who wants come and look at the process; this is intended to give confidence that young people are at the heart of the decision-making process and that finance is not the driver of the decisions. In terms top-up funding, the current model that was essentially good at the time of its implementation but now needs review.
The Chair thanked Johnny Kyriacou for the report and helpful summary of the area areas of focus, and invited questions or comments.
Jamie Rockman returned to the question asked earlier; what is the impact of the savings on the vulnerable young people? With predicted savings for post 16 about £2.7 million, there is concern about the impact that on the services provided for post 16 pupils; does the LA know anything about the impact, for example whether the NEET figures have increased for those with or without SEND?
Johnny Kyriacou confirmed that he couldn’t answer this question right now but it should be raised at the next board meeting.
Neil Sykes expressed concern about the potential saving and asked whether this was accurate as placements have only recently been confirmed for post 16 SEND students.
Johnny Kyriacou responded by acknowledging that over the last year there had been a significant improvement in internal financial processes and the personnel that have been brought in. The position is as accurate as it can be at this point in time, but there are still issues that needs to be ironed out.
Neil Sykes confirmed that that was encouraging but still had some concerns because it was quite a considerable saving, and he suspect that would be significantly reduced when more information becomes available. Johnny Kyriacou confirmed that the LA would have a closer look at this.
The Chair thanked Steve Muldoon and his team for the production of this report and Johnny Kyriacou for taking Forum through a helpful summary of the areas under focus. He confirmed that the progress of the plan would be monitored by Forum a standing item in every meeting during the course of next year; although there is obvious interest in the actual savings members will be concerned about the potential impact and would welcome further comment from the LA on the impact on service delivery. Steve Muldoon suggested that with these concerns there ought to be quality impact assessment reports produced as part of the savings initiatives, and that these should align with how the overall Council budget savings are approached.
Steve Muldoon confirmed that the full DSG Management Plan would be made available to Forum members following agreement with the DfE.
There were no further questions.