Issue - meetings

Report by the Chief Executive.

20.1     The Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council introduced the report and provided an overview of the current context within which the RPPR process has been undertaken.  This included reference to the purpose of the Core Offer, the Medium Term Financial Plan and the proposed savings (as set out in the report considered by Cabinet on 13 November 2018).   Reference was also made to a number of continuing areas of uncertainty and the impact this is having on budget planning.   The Leader also highlighted the significant work undertaken to raise awareness at the national level regarding the particular funding pressures facing East Sussex County Council.  

20.2     The key points discussed by the Committee are summarized below:

Core Offer - Customer Service (Appendix 1 to Appendix A)

20.3   The Committee noted the commentary under the Customer Service section in the Core Offer which states that ‘we will expect people to use the online resources available and will provide automated responses wherever possible, so people may not always get anindividualised reply to enquires’.   Members accepted that a move to providing resources online is overall a desirable development that will benefit the majority of service users.  However, the Committee asked how the needs of individuals who might struggle to access online resources will be addressed.  In response the Committee were assured that all Departments accept the need to ensure that appropriate mitigations are in place to meet the needs of individuals who are not able to access services online.   

Standards and Learning Effectiveness Service (SLES) proposed savings (Appendix 3 to Appendix A)

20.4    In response to a question regarding the savings proposals for SLES, the Director of Children’s Services informed the Committee that the savings plan ‘captures’ the continued direction of travel for the Department – as millions of pounds have already been removed from its budget.  The Department is therefore trying to ensure its services are effectively organised in the context of the ongoing budget reductions.  This includes, for example, seeing what can be done to share resources and responsibilities and planning the implementation of savings so that services and schools are given as much time as possible to adapt to reduced levels of support.

Core Offer descriptions

20.5   The Committee asked for clarification regarding the descriptions in Appendix A relating to partnerships and school improvement support as set out in Appendix 1 (pages 21 and 22 of the agenda) and Appendix 3 (page 31 of the agenda).  In response the Department confirmed that whilst the descriptions use ‘light touch’ language, the wording in both appendices is intended to convey the same meanings with regard to the impact of the proposed savings.  The Department confirmed further clarification would be provided to Members at the RPPR Board meeting.

Savings Gap

20.6     The Committee noted that despite the savings set out in the Core Offer, the report identified a further £10.8m deficit for 2019/20.  As a result the Committee asked for more detail regarding how the Council believes it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20