£10m 'needed to improve children's services in Powys'

Powys County Council's children's services has been making improvements since it was subject of a damning report back in October 2017.

Children had been put at serious risk of harm, however millions have so far been invested to improve the situation and changes have been made.

A finance scrutiny panel met in June, and made a number of observations and concerns over the finances of the children's service.

The report found that a further increase in the budget will be needed in the region of £3.2 million, on top of £6.1m already allocated.

The report stated: "There is extreme concern that from the figures given in the portfolio holder’s briefing report, it would appear that a further substantial increase in budget will be required in the region of £3.2 million in addition to the £6.1 million already allocated.

"The panel will need early assurance that this overspend situation is addressed as there is significant concern regarding the impact upon, and risk to, the council’s budget from 2019/20 and beyond.

"The panel note that unachieved savings of £1.1 million for 2017/18 and £1.2 million in 18/19 are unlikely to be achieved in the current year. We have been informed in that these savings will be ‘refreshed’ but we have little evidence to understand what ‘refresh’ might mean.

"There needs to be clarity in this regard at an early stage."

The councillors and members in the meeting stated that there had been a lack of financial control, and more needed to be done to give more financial training to staff.

The report added: "There seems to have been a lack of financial control during the period.

"Finance has been a low priority in the perceived urgency with which the CIW Inspection report was dealt with.

"Financial training has been offered to staff but there has been a poor take up.

"The panel would wish to see such training being compulsory."

Other observations included concerns that the authority may be breaching savings plans by not treating the service's savings the same way as others.

More concerns centred around the financial impact of the length of time it is predicted to take to stabilise the service, and that there is little evidence of challenge by the cabinet on the increased budget allocation to children’s service’s in cabinet papers.

The report added: "When the CIW report was issued it was publicised that an immediate allocation of an extra £4 million was to be made available.

"This appeared to have been done without a fully costed business plan."