MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT THE RIVERSIDE CENTRE, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 9.00 AM

Present :

Mr R G Mazillius (Chairman), Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C R Hancock, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mr R C Richards, Mrs J L Wareham, Mr D G Williams

Spokesperson :

Mr J A Bowker

Also Present (Non Voting) :

Mrs B Lawson

Apologies :

Mr G S Kendall, Mr I R Stephens

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2001 be confirmed.

13. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Mrs D Gardiner declared a non pecuniary interest in any issues relating to Unison.

14. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

A question was put to the Chairman as follows:

Mr M Shaw, on behalf of Service User Facilitator (SURF) Project, Advocacy Consortium, in relation to the requirements of any possible alternative service provision to that provided by Church View Day Centre and requesting an absolute assurance that no day centre closures would occur until an alternative service, which met certain specified criteria, was in place. (PQ19/01)

Copies of questions and replies are contained in the Public Questions Register.

15. MENTAL HEALTH DAY CARE SERVICES

The Select Committee considered the report of the Director of Social Services and Housing outlining the procedures followed by the Authority in providing day services to people with a diagnosed mental health problem, taking into account the recommendations expressed in the recent Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) report on mental health services and the expectations contained within the National Service Framework for Mental Health (NSF). Members were reminded that the SSI report had concluded that the service was serving some people well and the prospects for the future of mental health services on the island were promising. However, the report had also highlighted the need for the way in which day care services were delivered to be re-examined and to provide clearer, focussed, educational training and support services. The NSF guidance indicated that the delivery of the service should be undertaken from fewer locations with more outreach work, thereby making better use of the resources available for the community as a whole. Members were also reminded of the discussions at the last meeting regarding the financial difficulties experienced by the Social Services and Housing Directorate and the need to implement certain action to bring the expenditure back within budget. As part of the total savings required, mental health day care services had to achieve savings of �28K this financial year and �112K in a full year from 1 April 2002. Discussions with the NHS Trust and the Primary Care Trust had concluded that this years requirement could be achieved by one-off action without the need to close or radically alter services. Members were aware that in considering the options for change to service delivery the need to make savings had to form part of the process.

Members welcomed the proposal to establish a working group, comprising of service users, carers' representatives of the Health Trust and Primary Care Trust to examine the type of service needed and how it could best be delivered, within the budget available.

The Chairman invited representatives of interested parties, who had provided written submissions prior to the meeting, Mr R Ford, as representative of the Users of Church View day Centre, Mr L Brand a Day Centre Manager, the local member for Ventnor East and Dr A Guthrie, Clinical Director of Mental Health Services Trust to address the Select Committee.

The Director of Social Services and Housing advised the Committee of the difficult decisions needed to be made regarding the Directorates' financial situation and that the provision of services to vulnerable elderly people and child protection had to be given the highest priority. He stressed, however, that services for the mentally ill could not be withdrawn from those who had been assessed as in need, and that assistance for other categories could be provided through other agencies.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT it be noted that the Healthcare NHS Trust be asked to find �28K from this years mental health day care budget and to produce a service with a full year budget reduction of �112K, from 1 April 2002;

(ii) THAT the Social Services, Primary Care Trust and the Healthcare NHS Trust work with service users and carers to find an effective way to meet the twin demands of modernising the service and making the necessary savings in 2002/03 and to bring a report to the Select Committee on 7 November.

16. FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR LIFT INSTALLATION - CHURCH VIEW DAY CENTRE, VENTNOR

The Director of Corporate Services reported on the 2004 deadline for all Council buildings to be compliant with the Disability and Discrimination Act 1998.

Following a recent site visit a critical review of the Church View Day Centre, Ventnor had been conducted to investigate the buildings for disabled access and user capabilities. The Director referred to a number of areas identified to be addressed, together with the financial implications to undertake the proposals. Members raised a number of questions regarding the legal and practical implications to extend or provide an alternative, purpose built facility. It was requested that a further report be presented to the November meeting of the Select Committee providing detailed information on the options identified.

RESOLVED :

THAT a detailed report be presented to the November meeting of the Select Committee on the options for the future of Church View Road Day Centre, Ventnor.

CHAIRMAN