Section 251 Budget declaration to the Department for Education - Find a freedom of information request

Relating to Section 251 Budget declaration to the Department for Education.

This is in reference to lines 3.5.1 - 3.5.3 of the budget, in particular on Services for young people.

In 2020/21, Lincolnshire County Council spent £9276640 on Services for young people (split £590252 on 3.5.1 Universal services and £8686393 on 3.5.2 Targeted services).

In the latest financial year 2021/22, the Council spent £11032287 on Services for young people (split £684143 on 3.5.1 Universal services and £10348144 on 3.5.2 Targeted services).

This is an overall increase of 19% year-on-year.

As this is a notable increase, and an area of funding which typically has fallen at almost all local authorities over the past decade, 

1.I am requesting to find out where this extra expenditure went?

2. Accordingly, if it is possible, I am requesting a breakdown of expenditure for sections 3.5.1 and 3.5.2 for 2020/21 and 2021/22.

3.Please also can this include details of how these projects were funded - ie, through local authority funding, central government (including the Holiday Activities and Food programme), other funders etc.

 

I can confirm that the information requested is held by Lincolnshire County Council. I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1. 3.5.1 The increase in expenditure between 2020/21 and 2021/22 of £93,891 is due to an increase in expenditure across Youth Centres/Service relating to rent and rates £68,891 plus some costs in 2020/21 which were funded by Government Covid grant £25,000 which was not available in 2021/22

3.5.2 The increase in expenditure between 2020/21 and 2021/22 of £1,661,751 is due to a new Youth Housing contract £559,836 (to include young people with complex needs) which had been delayed until January 2021 due to the pandemic, £633,602 full year effect of the launch of the Future4Me and Education Mentor Services (created to work with young people presenting complex behaviours in addition to offering support and guidance to other professionals) combined with a £108,313 increase in management & administration costs to reflect a more accurate reallocation across service areas and a £360,000 increase in overhead costs not directly charged to the service area including other smaller in service changes.

3.5.1 Youth Centres/ Service 2020/21 £590,252 and 2021/22 £684,143 – variance of £93,891 explained above

3.5.2 Please find attached

3. 3.5.1 All LCC funding apart from £25,000 which was funded by Covid grant in 2020/21 All LCC funding in 2021/22

3.5.2 All LCC funding apart from £292,187 which was funded by Department for Education Partners in Practice grant in 2020/21

All LCC funding apart from £216,415 which was funded by Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government Troubled Families grant and £125,000 funding from Department of Education Partners in Practice Grant for 2021/22

Should you require the attachment mentioned above please contact customerinformationservice@lincolnshire.gov.uk with the below reference number and this can be provided.