Issue - meetings

To receive an update from the Corporate Director, People

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for MCI, Economic Development, Heritage, Arts, Tourism and Health and Wellbeing reported that this item was being withdrawn as there was no update available at this time.

To receive a Part II report from the Corporate Director, People.

Cllr Layra Mayes, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, introduced the Part II report which provided further in-depth detail about progress to reach a Safety Valve Deal between Wiltshire Council and the Department for Education (DfE), setting out the implications of the Deal on the financial position of the council.

Cabinet Members commented on the report and proposals along with additional comments from Cllr Jon Hubbard, as Chair of the Children’s Select Committee, and in a personal capacity, Cllr Gordon King as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, and Cllr Suzanne Wickham.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1.    Endorse the steps being taken to address the financial deficit in the High Needs Block as set out in the High Needs Block Sustainability Plan and the Safety Valve Deal.

2.    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, the Corporate Director for People (DCS) and the Director of Finance & Procurement (S151 Officer) in consultation with:

·         the Leader of the Council,

·         the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services Education and Skills,

·         the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, SEND and Inclusion,

·         the Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management and strategic Planning

to sign the deal on behalf of Wiltshire Council.

Reason for Decision:

If Wiltshire Council and the Department for Education are to enter into a deal, then it must be signed and returned to the DfE by 12 March in order to comply with their requirements.

The High Needs Block deficit remains the largest financial risk to the council and the Safety Valve deal forms a key part of the financial context for the council. Cabinet will continue to be kept appraised of progress and public reporting is critical to ensure transparency of the programme and the council’s approach to it.