Corporate, Adult Services & Social Inclusion Select Committee Minutes

Date:
Tuesday, 28th June, 2011
Time:
9.30am
Place:
Ground Floor Committee Room, Town Hall, High Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1AU
 
Please note: all Minutes are subject to approval at the next Meeting

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr Cllr Mick Stoker (Chairman) Derrick Brown, Cllr Julia Cherrett, Cllr Michael Clark, Cllr Eileen Johnson, , Cllr Tracey Stott, Cllr Norma Wilburn
Officers:
J. Humphreys, S. McEneany, S. Willson, T. Beckwith, L. Hanley, (CESC); M. Graham (R) M. Waggott, L. Lawty, G. Birtle, J. Trainer, A Duffy, M. Henderson
In Attendance:
R. Edwards (LINk)
Apologies for absence:
Cllr Terry Laing and Cllr Mick Womphrey
Item Description Decision
Public
CAS
7/11		 EVACUATION PROCEDURE
Preamble
AGREED that the information be noted.
CAS
8/11		 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 There were no declarations of interest.
CAS
9/11		 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14TH JUNE 2011
 AGREED that consideration of the minutes be deferred to the Committee's next meeting.
CAS
10/11		 ADULT SERVICES, LEGAL SERVICES, AND DEMOCRATIC SERVICES OVERVIEW
Preamble
AGREED that the information be noted
CAS
11/11		 QUARTERLY PROGRESS UPDATES ON PREVIOUSLY AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS
Preamble
AGREED that the progress update be noted and the assessment for progress be confirmed.
CAS
12/11		 EIT REVIEW OF COMMISSIONED CARERS AND INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES
Preamble
AGREED that the information and discussion be noted and the further information be provided as requested.
CAS
13/11		 WORK PROGRAMME
Preamble
 
CAS
14/11		 CHAIR'S UPDATE
Preamble
 
9.30am/11.30am

Preamble

ItemPreamble
CAS
7/11		The Chairman explained the evacuation procedures associated wth the meeting room and building.
CAS
10/11		Members received an overview presentation relating to Adult Services and its achievements, challenges and emerging issues.

The main areas covered included:-

Achievements

- Working/Commissioning arrangements with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trusts.

- Good outcomes from an Inspection of Adult Services. Maintained Care Quality Commission rating of performing well.

- Implementation of Efficiency Improvement and Transformation Review of Adult Operations and the reprovision of services. Reduced reliance on permanent admissions to care homes.

- Implementation of Efficiency Improvement and Transformation Review of Fair Access to Care Services (FACS)- deletion of the moderate band of care, reassement of clients, signposting to, and investment in, other services.

- Improved monitoring of contracts and internal safeguarding arrangements.

Challenges

- Fair Access to Care Services - to continue to meet the changing needs of residents.

- Adult ops day service - reprovision of services provided at Parkside to the Halcyon Centre.

- Personalisation - helping people identify what will meet their need.

- Workforce Development - training needs.

- Changes in assessment arrangements.

- Ageing population.

- PCT ceasing end of March 2013.

- Momentum Hospital development

Emerging Issues

- Southern Cross - residential homes provider funding problems

- funding pressures - will need to focus on most vulnerable and develop preventative measures, signpost people to preventative services.

- Dilnot report - funding for social care - what Councils will pay what individuals will pay.

Following the presentation Members raised a number of issues:-

Members noted that the Blenheim House building would be considered as part of the Asset Mangement review and alternative uses would be considered.

With regard to Southern Cross and its financial difficulties, members queried the potential impact on Stockton. It was explained that officers were monitoring the situation and were working with the PCT. A contingency plan had been developed and would be implemented should the situation deteriorate.

Members also referred to a recent TV documentary relating to the mistreatment of residents in a facility in Bristol who had learning difficulties. Despite a former member of staff reporting the issue to the Care Quality Commission it had not been properly investigated and the mistreatment had continued for a time. It was explained that Stockton Council undertook contract compliance checks and had whisleblowing policies in place. The Council would act appropriately should any situations arise.

The Committee then received a presentation from Democratic Services. Main areas covered included:-

Achievements

- Revised Member Learning and Development Strategy
- Delivery of the Member Induction programme following the Elections
- implementation of the Council Petition Scheme
- Delivery of Parliamentary General Election 2010 and Local Election/Referendum 2011.
-Increased numbers on the electoral register
- Successful Freedom Parades for Yorkshire Regiments and The Rifles.
- Support to Efficiency, Improvement and Transformation Programme including monitoring of agreed recommendations.
- National recognition for the work undertaken by the North East Regional Joint Health Scrutiny Committee, which was supported by the Scrutiny Team.

Challenges

- a lack of resources for IT development and consequential difficulties supporting members' ward casework.
- Planning for the Annual Electoral Registration Canvass
- Plan and prepare for directly elected Police and Crime Commissioner.

Emerging Issues

- Fixed Term Parliaments
- The Localism Bill
- Local referendums
- Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill

A query was raised with regard to how the location of Polling Stations had been determined for the recent elections. It was noted that polling station reviews were undertaken periodically and members were consulted at that time. It was suggested that members' views should be sought now, soon after the elections. Officers indicated that they would look at how this might be best achieved. In the meantime Members who were aware of specific problems were asked to forward details to officers.

Members noted that residents had to personally register on the electoral register as part of the electoral registration process. The register was not, and could not be, linked to other Council databases such as Council Tax.
CAS
11/11		Consideration was given to progress of the implementation of previously agreed recommendations in repect of the Older Peoples' Strategy review.
CAS
12/11		Members were provided with information relating to the contracts currently in place to provide support to people with specific needs from various grants available to the Council

Consideration was given to the scope and project plan for the Review of Commissioned Carers and Independent Living Services.
The main services that would be covered by the review included:

• Commissioned services for socially excluded people.
• Independent Living Services including Supporting People
• Support to Direct Payment processes

Members noted the short timetable associated with the review and the Chairman indicated that, in order to maximise capacity, it may be appropriate for small groups of members to look at particular issues and provide feedback to the Committee. If timescales became particularly pressing then the Project Plan may need to be amended.
Members received baseline information relating to the review, this included:

• Background to Supporting People as an initiative
• The 5 year plan for supporting people 2005 - 2010
• Spreadsheets showing Supporting People Contracts, independent Living projects and Carers’grant projects.

Officers from the Project Team were present to give further details and answer questions.

It was noted that prior to 2011/12 all the services commissioned operated under ring fenced arrangements.

Members noted that the focus of the review was to establish whether the Council was receiving value for money and to make appropriate recommendations to ensure it was. It was not anticipated that financial savings would come from the review.
The main issues discussed included:

• The need to understand the current providers e.g .voluntary sector, Registered Social Landlords.
• Development of a strategy that would provide value for money.
• Links to other reviews that needed to be considered e.g Health Select Committee's consideration of Learning Difficulties and Mental Health. There may be overlap with the Housing and Community Safety Select Committee review of Care Call.
• Supporting people - would be using identified budget this year but next year was uncertain.
• Contracts could be set for individuals or for services which sometimes were not being utilised.
• Some contracts were set for a maximum amount but were not being fully spent.
• Committee should look at what the Council needs/wants to commission.
• Are we over providing in some areas?
• Noted that shopmobility was not included in the contract information and should be added.
• the Council's relationship with providers.
• All contracts had been extended to the end of financial year. Providers would have an opportunity to tender ahead of the next financial year.
• The Council received grants and then commissions services.

The Committee requested a selection of contract service specifications - one from each area.

Noted that the July meeting would include a methodology for testing value for money and getting views from providers. The Committee would also consider which providers/services would provide evidence to the Committee.
CAS
13/11		Noted that the next meeting would be held 12 July 2011 at 9.30am
CAS
14/11		None

  • Contact

  • Democratic Services

    Municipal Buildings
    Church Road
    Stockton-on-Tees
    TS18 1LD

  • 01642 526193 or 01642 528173

  • [email protected]

Can't find it

Can't find what you're looking for? Let us know and we'll do our best to point you in the right direction