Agenda and decisions

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To seek endorsement of a new Corporate and Community Plan that sets the direction for the council and county of Monmouthshire, articulating the authority’s purpose, principles and priorities alongside some of the steps we will take to deliver these.

Author: Matthew Gatehouse, Head of Policy Performance and Scrutiny

Contact Details: matthewgatehouse@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet endorse the Community and Corporate Plan prior to its approval by Council.

That Cabinet endorse the adoption of the six goals in the plan as the Council’s Well-being Objectives in accordance with the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to provide Members with information on the Authority’s financial forecasts for the 2022/23 financial year in respect of the revenue budget, capital programme, and associated reserves position.

Author: Jonathan Davies, Assistant Head of Finance (Deputy S151 officer)

Contact Details: jonathandavies2@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet recognises the significant over spend forecast at Month 4 against the Authority’s revenue budget of £8.8m, which is primarily as a result of:

• £3.5m forecast over spend in Children’s services due to the increasing numbers of high cost placements and continued use of agency staff;

• £1.6m forecast over spend in Adults care services following a dramatic influx of clients requiring services post-pandemic, with some clients requiring more intense services due to delayed health care during the pandemic;

• £0.5m forecast over spend in Additional learning needs budgets due to the increasing cost and number of out of County placements;

• £1.3m forecast over spend in meeting the needs of the Homeless following national policy change initiatives and where inadequate funding has been provided;

• £0.5m forecast over spend in MonLife services as income levels are failing to meet targets in the areas of Leisure and Outdoor education;

• £2m forecast over spend in relation to the expected outcome of workforce pay negotiations which is expected to be significantly above the 3.5% budgeted.

Together with a number of other over and under spends summarised in paragraph 3.7 and detailed in appendix 1 to this report.

That Cabinet request that the Strategic leadership team immediately look to arrest the forecast over spend through a range of appropriate budget recovery measures as outlined in this report.

That Cabinet recognises the importance of a balanced outturn position being achieved for 2022/23, in that it safeguards the need to draw further upon any planned use of reserves and capital receipts and which will be required to assist in meeting the unprecedented financial challenges presenting over the medium term and where funding levels are expected to fall significantly short in meeting these challenges.

That Cabinet recognise the ongoing financial risks to the revenue budget of the outcome of ongoing pay negotiations, and the potential impact of the cost of living crisis on communities, and the associated financial impact this will have on the Council.

That Members note that the overall revenue budget continues to be subsidised by £2.65m of capital receipts which are being used to fund identified eligible expenditure under the flexible use of capital receipts directive.

That Members note the forecast 100% delivery of the budgeted mandated savings as detailed in appendix 2 and as approved by full Council previously.

Cabinet notes the extent of forecast movements in Schools reserve usage contained in table 4, and appendices 1 & 3 which highlight the possibility of a further six schools entering into a deficit reserve position by the end of the financial year.

Cabinet considers the forecast capital outturn spend of £85.6m as outlined in appendix 1 that currently indicates a forecast over spend of £209k, noting the continuing difficulty in delivering capital projects to their allocated budget in the current challenging economic environment.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To provide Cabinet with a ‘Market Stability Report’ (MSR) produced by the Regional Partnership Board setting out a high-level overview and assessment of the overall sufficiency of care and support, and of the stability of the market for regulated services within Gwent to comply with Section 9 of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014.

Author: Phil Diamond Head of Regional Partnership Team; Mark Saunders, Regional Service Manager – Regional Partnership Team

Contact Details: phil.diamond@torfaen.gov.uk

Mark.saunders@torfaen.gov.uk

That Cabinet approves the Market Stability Report on behalf of Monmouthshire County Council as required under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 (SSWBA).

That Cabinet tasks officers with using the market stability report, alongside the population needs assessment, to support the development of the regional care plan.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: The purpose is to fulfil the expectation of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales that their report is brought to the attention of Cabinet

Author: Annette Evans, Customer Relations Manager

Contact Details: annetteevans@monmouthshire.gov.uk

Cabinet note the content of the Public Sector Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) annual letter (Appendix 1) and will inform the PSOW of their considerations and any proposed actions.

That the authority continues to engage with the PSOW complaints standards work, access training for staff and provide the PSOW with complaints data. We have also fully implemented the PSOW’s model complaints policy.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To seek approval to proceed with the disposal of land at Caldicot Comprehensive School, for the development of 100% affordable housing.

Author: Nicholas Keyse – Estates Development Manager

Contact Details: nicholaskeyse@monmouthshire.gov.uk

To accept the officer recommendation for development of 100% affordable housing at land at Caldicot Comprehensive School.

To confirm Monmouthshire Housing Association preferred bidder.

To delegate responsibility to the Chief Officer for Resources, in consultation with Cabinet Member for Resources, to agree terms with the preferred bidder.