Agenda item

8.1

The Head of Service – Resource and Business Planning was in attendance to present a report which set out the budget pressures and challenges facing the services which fall under the Education, Children and Families committee area, and begins to develop a budget and resourcing action plan to mitigate these as far as possible. The report also highlighted emerging trends, growth in demand, and the rising complexity of the level of need for services which are directly impacting on the resource’s requirement.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee:

1. Notes the financial pressures for 24/25 detailed within this report and the new income available to mitigate them.

2. Notes the measures proposed in the report to mitigate these pressures and that they will be presented to the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee as part of the Council’s budget for 24/25.

3. Notes that Officers will work to develop any necessary detailed implementation plans for the proposals in this report so that the proposals, once agreed, can be implemented as planned before or during the 2024/25 financial year.

4. Notes that it is proposed that there will be a further update at the December committee meeting.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The recommendations put forward in this paper and appendix 1 are recommended for approval on the basis that they: - Are consistent with our agreed approach to demand management, sufficiency, and meeting our obligations to provide quality statutory services which meet the needs of the child or young person.

- Are consistent with our vision/strategy to provide services and opportunities which support each child and young person within Sheffield to meet their potential.

- Support the ongoing improvement of Education, Children and Family services in Sheffield.

- Are guided by an evidence base, benchmarking and/ or trend data which identifies areas of spend where disinvestment, subject to individual review, can most likely be made without detriment.

- Enable the Council to continue to meet its legal duties.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

Do Nothing: By undertaking none of the proposed actions, we would be unable to contribute to a balanced budget.

8.1

The Head of Service – Resource and Business Planning was in attendance to present a report which set out the budget pressures and challenges facing the services which fall under the Education, Children and Families committee area, and begins to develop a budget and resourcing action plan to mitigate these as far as possible. The report also highlighted emerging trends, growth in demand, and the rising complexity of the level of need for services which are directly impacting on the resource’s requirement.

8.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education, Children and Families Policy Committee:

1. Notes the financial pressures for 24/25 detailed within this report and the new income available to mitigate them.

2. Notes the measures proposed in the report to mitigate these pressures and that they will be presented to the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee as part of the Council’s budget for 24/25.

3. Notes that Officers will work to develop any necessary detailed implementation plans for the proposals in this report so that the proposals, once agreed, can be implemented as planned before or during the 2024/25 financial year.

4. Notes that it is proposed that there will be a further update at the December committee meeting.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The recommendations put forward in this paper and appendix 1 are recommended for approval on the basis that they: - Are consistent with our agreed approach to demand management, sufficiency, and meeting our obligations to provide quality statutory services which meet the needs of the child or young person.

- Are consistent with our vision/strategy to provide services and opportunities which support each child and young person within Sheffield to meet their potential.

- Support the ongoing improvement of Education, Children and Family services in Sheffield.

- Are guided by an evidence base, benchmarking and/ or trend data which identifies areas of spend where disinvestment, subject to individual review, can most likely be made without detriment.

- Enable the Council to continue to meet its legal duties.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

Do Nothing: By undertaking none of the proposed actions, we would be unable to contribute to a balanced budget.