Issue - meetings

To consider the proposals within the budget consultation relating to the Committee’s responsibilities.

The Committee received a report which sought feedback on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2025/26 – 2028/29 for Corporate Policy Committee to consider on the 6 February 2025 ahead of the final approval of the 2025/26 budget at full Council on 26 February 2025.

The Committee provided scrutiny and comments in relation to

-       Whether a reduction in pension cost contributions was realistic given that the local government pension scheme was re- evaluated every April and typically should keep line with the Consumer Price index (CPI).

-       Why the 3% levy on traded services was being reversed.

-       Concerns in respect of whether the funding staffing establishment model was sustainable as although investment would be increased next year, this would then be reduced over the following two years.

-       Concerns around the proposed savings in service quality, particularly in the accommodation support offer for 16-25 young people.

-       How did Cheshire East compare with other local authorities in terms of its spend per capita on children’s services.

-       Welcomed the efforts being made in terms of recruitment and wrap around support to retain staff.

-       Assurance sought around the tracking and visits for asylum seeking children post covid.

In response to a question raised in respect of the Youth Justice service contributions nearly doubling, officers stated that there was a split between the Youth Justice Service and safeguarding and that more details on the split would be provided in a written response.

RESOLVED (By Majority)

The Children and Families Committee

 (a) Recommend to the Corporate Policy Committee, for their meeting on 6 February 2025, all proposals within Appendix A of the report, as related to the Committee’s responsibilities, for inclusion on the Council’s budget for 2025/26.

(b) Identify any further budget change proposals, as related to the Committee’s responsibilities, that could assist Corporate Policy Committee in presenting an overall balanced budget to Council for 2025/26.

(c)  Note the capital growth items listed in Appendix B and the revenue implications noted in paragraph 23 of the report.

(d) Note the contents of Appendix C of the report – Provisional Local Government Settlement 2025/26 (Finance Sub Committee).

(e) Note the contents of Appendix D of the report – Council Tax benchmarking and scenarios (Finance Sub Committee) and consider what the impact of any requests for a change of Council Tax policy would be.