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Rutland Council Reports £0.6m Underspend and Tackles SEND Pressures

This week, the Rutland Council held two meetings: the Rutland SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education) on Tuesday and the Cabinet on the same day. Unfortunately, no video or transcript was provided for the SACRE meeting, so we will focus on the Cabinet meeting, which covered significant financial and policy updates.

Financial Outturn Report for 2023/24

A key topic of discussion was the financial outturn report for the fiscal year 2023/24. The council noted an overall forecast underspend of £0.6 million compared to the budget. This was primarily due to better-than-expected investment income receipts of £1.4 million, offset by a £1.6 million deficit in the dedicated schools grant¹. The report highlighted several financial pressures, including:

High needs block expenditure: £1.6 million
Home to school transport: £0.8 million
Road maintenance: £0.2 million
Increasing supplier costs and complexity of care in adult services: £0.2 million
Safeguarding children through high-cost care placements and agency staffing: £0.2 million

These pressures underscore the ongoing challenges in balancing the council's budget while maintaining essential services.

Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS)

The council's proactive financial management resulted in £0.7 million of planned future savings being achieved early, alongside £1.2 million of one-off savings and £1.9 million of additional income. However, these savings were offset by £3.1 million of other pressures. The council emphasized the need for permanent cost reductions and increased income to achieve long-term financial sustainability. This aligns with the council's Medium-Term Financial Strategy, which aims to ensure financial stability over several years.

Dedicated Schools Grant and SEND Pressures

Councillor Smith, the Portfolio Holder for Health and Children's Services, highlighted the significant pressures on the dedicated schools grant due to the rising number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). The number of EHCPs has increased by 85% since 2019, driven by factors such as the 2014 Children's Act and better identification of children's needs. The council is implementing the Delivering Better Value (DBV) SEND Improvement Program to address these pressures, aiming to deliver savings and improve care for children with special needs².

Information Governance Policies

The Cabinet also reviewed and approved updates to four key information governance policies: the Data Incident Response Policy, the Data Protection Policy, the Document Retention and Record Disposal Policy, and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy. These updates aim to simplify and streamline the policies, ensuring they remain effective and compliant with current legislation. The council delegated future annual reviews of these policies to the Audit and Risk Committee, recognizing its role in monitoring and reflecting on policy outcomes.

Conclusion

In summary, this week's Cabinet meeting focused on the financial performance for 2023/24, the challenges in managing the dedicated schools grant, and updates to information governance policies. These discussions are crucial for ensuring the council's financial sustainability and effective governance in the coming years.

The dedicated schools grant is funding from the government for schools, with a portion allocated for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). ↩
The Delivering Better Value (DBV) SEND Improvement Program aims to enhance local SEND provisions and reduce the necessity for costly out-of-county placements. ↩

Leadership Elections, Constitutional Updates, and Key Appointments: Highlights from This Week's Rutland Council Meeting

This week, the Rutland Council held three meetings: Constitution on Monday, Council on Monday, and Cabinet on Tuesday. The Cabinet meeting was cancelled, so our focus will be on the Council meeting, which covered several key topics.

Election of Chairman and Vice Chairman

Councillor Andrew Brown was re-elected as Chairman for the 2024-25 Municipal Year. Councillor Ross, who nominated him, praised his effective and independent chairing and commitment to public engagement. The vote was unanimous. Similarly, Councillor Samantha Harvey was re-elected as Vice Chairman, with Councillor Powell nominating her. She emphasized the importance of representation in her acceptance speech.

Chairman's Announcements

The Chairman and Vice Chairman attended several events, including the 50th anniversary of Victoria Hall, the High Sheriff's Declaration at Oakham Castle, the unveiling of a statue of Queen Elizabeth II, a Fire and Rescue Awards evening, and a visit from the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to Oakham Castle. These events highlight the council's ongoing engagement with the community and significant local milestones.

Updates to the Constitution

Councillor Johnson introduced several updates to the Council's Constitution. These included changes to the scheme of delegation, the designation of the Constitution Commission to a working group, and updates to planning and licensing committee procedures. The motion to approve these changes was carried. This is part of a broader theme we've discussed before: the council's continuous efforts to refine governance structures to improve efficiency and transparency.

Political Balance and Allocation of Seats

Due to changes in political groups, the allocation of seats was updated. The Liberal Democrat and Green Group, Independent Group, Conservative Group, and Labour Group were allocated seats proportionally. This ensures that the council's composition reflects the current political landscape, allowing for balanced representation in decision-making processes.

Appointment of Committee Chairs

The following chairs were appointed:

Audit and Risk Committee: Councillor Karen Payne
Conduct Committee: Councillor Oliver Hemsley
Employment and Appeals Committee: Councillor Samantha Harvey
Licensing Committee: Councillor Nick Beggie
Planning Committee: Councillor Nick Beggie
Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Councillor Ross

These appointments are crucial for the council's functionality, ensuring that experienced and capable individuals lead key committees.

Program of Meetings

The program of meetings for the 2024-25 Municipal Year was approved. Notably, Council meetings will be held on Thursdays from September onwards to allow officers more time to address queries. This change aims to enhance the council's responsiveness and operational efficiency.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The Council approved the appointment of elected members to various outside bodies. Councillor David Wilby was reappointed as the Armed Forces Champion. However, the role of the Children's Champion was not filled, with the leader emphasizing that all elected members should act as champions for children in care. This decision underscores the council's collective responsibility towards vulnerable children, a theme we've seen in previous discussions about social care and community support.

Other Business

No other urgent business was discussed. The next Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 15.

In summary, this week's Council meeting focused on leadership elections, constitutional updates, political balance, and committee appointments. These decisions are foundational for the council's operations in the coming year, reflecting a commitment to effective governance and community representation.

Urgent SEND Challenges and Solutions Explored in This Week's Rutland Council Schools' Forum

This week, the Rutland Council's Schools' Forum convened to address pressing issues in the education sector, particularly concerning children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The discussions were multifaceted, focusing on financial challenges, the Delivering Better Value (DBV) program, and parental feedback on SEND support.

Financial Strain in SEND Provision

The financial update revealed a concerning projected deficit in the high needs block, despite an increase in funding. This deficit poses a significant threat to the council's broader financial health, potentially impacting its ability to fund other essential services. The finance subgroup highlighted the urgent need for innovative cost-management strategies that do not compromise the quality of services provided to SEND students. This financial strain is not a new theme; we've discussed similar budgetary challenges in other sectors in previous emails.

Delivering Better Value Program

The DBV program aims to enhance local SEND provisions and reduce the necessity for out-of-county placements, which are often more costly. The focus on training and early intervention is designed to manage needs within the community more effectively, potentially slowing the growth of new Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). However, it was acknowledged that this program alone would not suffice to alleviate the financial pressures, underscoring the complexity of the issue.

Parental Feedback and School Environment

A survey among parents of children with SEND highlighted significant concerns regarding bullying and the need for more inclusive behavior policies. Parents indicated that their children often feel misunderstood, suggesting a gap in how SEND students are integrated into the school community. The council recognized this feedback as crucial for improving school environments, which could reduce the demand for specialized interventions outside mainstream settings.

The closure of a special school also sparked a conversation about the need for better representation from schools with dedicated special provisions in future council meetings. This discussion points to a growing awareness and acknowledgment of the importance of inclusive education within the community's governance structure.

In summary, the Schools' Forum meeting tackled critical issues facing the education sector, particularly the financial sustainability of SEND provisions, the effectiveness of the DBV program, and the need for more inclusive school environments. These discussions are vital for shaping future policies and ensuring that all children, regardless of their needs, receive appropriate and effective educational support.

Rutland Council's Strategic Decisions: Enhancing Health Services and Urban Development

This week, Rutland Council convened two significant meetings, addressing key issues in health and wellbeing, and planning and licensing.

The Rutland Health and Wellbeing Board met on Tuesday, focusing on several critical health initiatives. A major point of contention was the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) on Mental Health and Dementia. The board hesitated to approve the JSNA due to concerns about the accuracy of the data, reflecting a cautious approach to decision-making based on potentially outdated information. As one member noted:

We must ensure our data reflects current realities to effectively plan our services.

The implications here are clear: the council is prioritizing data accuracy to better align health services with community needs. Additionally, the board reviewed the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy (JHWS) Delivery Plan, acknowledging updates and ongoing efforts to adapt health strategies to evolving needs. The approval of the Better Care Fund (BCF) Quarter Three Report indicates satisfaction with current fund management, impacting healthcare improvements directly.

On Thursday, the Planning and Licensing Committee addressed two major planning applications. The redevelopment of the Officer's Mess for residential use was approved with conditions, including a requirement for a zebra crossing instead of a controlled pedestrian crossing. This decision highlights the council's approach to urban development, balancing community needs with technical and policy constraints. The approval of 12 unheated storage units at Mitzley Lodge, subject to operational conditions, reflects a straightforward decision supporting rural enterprise expansion with minimal resistance due to its low impact on the environment and traffic.

Both meetings this week showcased the council's commitment to meticulous scrutiny and strategic planning, from health services to urban development, ensuring decisions are well-informed and community-focused.