The Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee of West Sussex Council convened on Friday, 21 June 2024, to discuss several key issues, including the performance and resources report, the Oracle Fusion implementation, and the scrutiny annual report. The committee reviewed the budget, timelines, and risks associated with the Oracle Fusion project and discussed the financial pressures on adult social care and children's services.

Performance and Resources Report

The committee examined the Performance and Resources Report for Quarter 4 2023-24. Councillor Jeremy Hunt introduced the report, highlighting the budget's role in supporting the council's four key priorities. The report detailed a net overspend of £6.3 million, with significant pressures in adult social care and children's services. Councillor Hunt emphasized the need for prudent management of reserves and achieving savings to balance future budgets.

Key Points Discussed:

• Adult Social Care: The gross overspend for the year was £32 million, mitigated to a net overspend of just over £10 million. Councillor Hunt stressed the importance of finding sustainable solutions to manage these costs.
• Children's Services: The portfolio faced a £25.7 million overspend, primarily due to rising placement costs and home-to-school transport expenses.
• Highways and Infrastructure: An additional £4.5 million was invested in highways for reactive road repairs and drainage works, with further funding planned for 2024-25.
• Special Educational Needs Deficit: The deficit stood at £70 million, with concerns about future funding and the impact on the council's financial stability.

Oracle Fusion Implementation

The committee received an update on the Oracle Fusion implementation, a new enterprise resource planning system. The project, initially estimated at £2.6 million, faced increased costs due to the complexity of implementation and the need for a more adaptable system. Key points included:

• Budget and Timelines: The revised business case includes a detailed resource plan and a £4 million contingency for known risks.
• Governance and Monitoring: A robust governance system is in place, with regular progress updates to senior officers and the committee.
• Staff Engagement and Training: £500,000 has been allocated for staff training to ensure smooth adoption of the new system.

Scrutiny Annual Report

The committee reviewed the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023-24, which summarises the main outcomes of scrutiny, best practices, and development issues. The report highlighted the importance of effective scrutiny in achieving council objectives and improving transparency and accountability.

Key Priorities for 2024-25:

• Budget Scrutiny: Continuing to scrutinize the council's budget and financial management.
• Co-opted Members: Reviewing the role and effectiveness of co-opted members on scrutiny committees.
• Public Transparency: Ensuring scrutiny meetings are held in public to maintain transparency and accountability.

The committee also agreed on the terms of reference and membership for the grant funding task and finish group, which will focus on reviewing the allocation and impact of grant funding.

The next meeting of the Performance and Finance Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for 13 September 2024, at 10.30 am. The committee thanked Taryn Eves, Director of Finance and Support Services, for her support during her tenure at the council.