Social Work budget is under pressure
Written by author on October 25, 2012
Social Work Committee heard today that the budget is under pressure from a number of areas.
Chair of Social Work Committee, Councillor Andy Ferguson said, “Social Work Services is subject to demands that are not 100% predictable. Social Work Services accepts the need to understand and manage this as well as possible.
“Notwithstanding the various pressures on budget, our Council will continue to meet people’s needs according to eligibility and priority criteria. Our primary commitment is to ensure the most vulnerable members of our community continue to receive the care and support they need and are not left at risk.
“The population of older people in Dumfries and Galloway is increasing every year, so we know this will put pressure on services and homecare is an area that we need to examine closely.
“Social Work has established a senior management group to exercise tight control on a number of areas affecting the budget. The huge amount of work that has gone into the Activity Based Budget information allows us to see precisely where the money is spent and will be invaluable in controlling current budgets and in setting next year’s budget.”
Social Work Services Committee noted the budget pressures and the group formed to address them, asked for detailed financial reports to be brought to future meetings on a recurring basis and asked for an additional Social Work Services meeting to be held with the budget as the sole item on the agenda.
