MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 16 JANUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr R G Mazillius ( Chairman), Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr C R Hancock, Mr V J Morey (as deputy for Mr G Kendall), Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mr K Pearson (as deputy for Mrs D Gardiner), Mr R C Richards, Mr I R Stephens, Mrs J L Wareham, Mr D G Williams
Apologies :
Mrs D Gardiner, Mr G Kendall
Portfolio Holder :
Mr J Bowker
Also Present (Non Voting)
Mr M J Cunningham, Mr P D Joyce, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mr G P Price Mrs S A Smart
RESOLVED :
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2001 be confirmed.
42. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr I Stephens declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute No 47 - Any housing issues in relation to Service Plans and Performance Indicators.
43. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
A question was put to the Chairman by :
Mr R Jones, Chairman of the Care Homes Association with regard to specific criteria attached to the Government grant to assist in reducing bed blocking in hospitals and whether the Council's response to the Department of Health was to be published. (PQ01/02)
44. URGENT BUSINESS - TRANSPORT FOR ADULTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
The Chairman indicated that there was an item of urgent business that required consideration by the Select Committee prior to the next meeting. Members were informed that under delegations to officers the Director of Social Services and Housing had the authority to approve the replacement of four 28 seater buses with six 16 seater Mercedes 413/UVG Treka Wealfare mini-buses with tail lifts which would be hired in by the Councils' Wightbus services for a two year period, as from April 2002. The disadvantages to the existing arrangements and the advantages to the new proposals, which could achieve a small estimated saving of �1,500 in 2002/03, were noted.
RESOLVED :
THAT the proposals for the transportation for adults with a learning disability, as set out in the report, be noted.
45. PRESENTATION
Mr A Larpent, Chief Executive and Mrs V Brown, Operations Manager of Islecare 97 Limited provided an informative presentation on the company's operations on the Island since it was established in 1996. Islecare 97 was part of the Somerset Care Group, the 7th largest provider of residential care in the not-for-profit sector and the 21st largest Care Group in the UK.
Members were informed that Islecare 97 provided 138 beds in 4 residential homes for older people and 81 beds in 15 small group homes for people with learning disabilities. Details of the financial position of Islecare 97 were outlined, in particular the implications in relation to occupancy rates. In addition, mention was made of their priority to provide staff with career and continuous training opportunities and their willingness to enable staff from other care home providers to access their training provision. Mr Larpent highlighted the effects of implementing the new regulations set out in National Minimum Standards and explained the companys' needs to stay viable in 2002 and its commitments and objectives for the future. Reference was also made to the company's plans for Inver House in Bembridge and members suggested that the Select Committee should scrutinise these proposals at a future meeting.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Chief Executive and the Operations Manager of Islecare 97 be thanked for their interesting presentation.
46. SOCIAL SERVICES BUDGET 2002/03
The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Mr M Chiverton, Branch Secretary of UNISON. Mr Chiverton referred to his letter of 4 September which highlighted UNISON's concerns, following representations received from members employed throughout the Social Services Directorate, regarding the package of cuts which took effect in 2001. Mr Chiverton emphasised his belief that the issues raised in the letter were still relevant and that the Unison continued to receive numerous representations expressing wide spread and deep seated concern regarding the effects of the cuts from both employees and service users. Unison expressed concern about the consequences of the relatively low Council tax increase over the past two years and stressed the need for an increase, this year, to be at a level adequate to ensure preservation of jobs within Social Services and services to the most vulnerable. Further representations would be made in the future regarding budget issues as part of a wider budget consultation process.
Three Council employees, working within Adult Services and Wight Care Services, gave brief personal experiences as to how the cuts in services had effected staff morale and the provision of care to clients. The Director explained that the Council continued to fulfill its statutory obligations to ensure identified needs, following an assessment of need, were met from within the budget available and the reasons for the decisions taken in 2001. The Director praised the staff in the Social Services Directorate for all their hard work and commitment and paid tribute to Unison, for their responsible attitude during the recent difficult time. Members welcomed the representations and expressed their support for a realistic increase in the Islands' Council budget to be set for 2002/03 which incorporated Social Services budget pressures and desirable service improvements.
RESOLVED :
THAT the representations be noted.
47. SERVICE PLANS AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (2001 - 2002)
The Select Committee were reminded that at the meeting held on 22 November it had been resolved for Members, in pairs, to scrutinize an individual Service Plan and to report back at a future meeting of the committee with their findings. This had not been achieved in all cases. As the Service Plans would shortly be updated in line with the Budget for 2002/03 it was proposed for this objective to be deferred until April/May. A further review of the Plans could be planned for October. The Head of Select Committee Support agreed to facilitate arrangements for Members to meet with the relevant lead Officers.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the Service Plans and Performance Indicators (2001 - 2002) be noted;
(ii) THAT consideration of Service Plans and Performance Indicators (2002 - 2003) be given at special meeting of the Select Committee later in the year;
(iii) THAT Service Plans and performance Indicators (2002 - 2003) be further reviewed in October 2002.
48. FORWARD PLAN
In accordance with the resolution of the Liaison Committee, Members gave consideration to the Councils Forward Plan covering the period from January to April 2002. It was noted that a report was shortly to be presented to the Executive regarding Inver House, Bembridge. Members considered it appropriate for the Select Committee to scrutinise all proposals covering the disposal of any land asset relevant to Social Services prior to any decision being taken.
Members noted that the Executive, at its meeting on 15 January 2002, had recommended the full Council to endorse the draft Social Inclusion Strategy 2001 - 2005. The draft Strategy had been supported by the Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee at its meeting on 10 December 2001. Members highlighted the importance of such a document and that it should be kept under constant review.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee should aim to review proposals with regard to the disposal of any land assets relevant to Social Services prior to any formal decision being taken.
49. THE EFFECT OF PREVENTATIVE WORK WITH OLDER PEOPLE
The Director of Social Services and Housing together with 3 members of staff involved in working with older people made a presentation on the research into the impact of low cost, low intensity services to enable older people keep their independence. Details of the approach followed, the issues raised, the importance of volunteers and the conclusions reached were outlined.
In discussion, Members welcomed the earlier opportunity to visit Parklands day centre in Cowes to view at first hand the facilities available for older people with dementia. An further invitation was extended to those Members who had been unable to attend the visit. In addition, it was proposed for the Committees work programme incorporate opportunities to enable staff within the Social Services Directorate to be invited to provide informative explanations on the work they undertook.
RESOLVED :
THAT the presentation be noted.
CHAIRMAN