MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, MONDAY, 29 MARCH 2004 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr I R Stephens (Chairman), Mr R G Mazillius, Mr J R Adams, Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr V J Morey, Mrs E Oulton, Mr C Richards (deputising for Mrs B D Clough) Mr D G Williams

Apologies :

Mrs B D Clough, Mr J F Howe

Portfolio Holder :

Mr G S Kendall

Also Present (non voting) :

Mr R Barry, Mr J A Bowker, Mr P D Joyce, Mr R A Sutton

87 MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2004 be confirmed.

88 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations at this stage.

89 CALL-IN OF DELEGATED DECISION – 12/04 CHARGES FOR MEALS ON WHEELS HOME CARE AND DAY CARE SERVICES

The Chairman invited the four Members who had supported the Call-In to outline their objection to the decision. These included :

· Inadequate consultation with service users and the Select Committee.

· That the proposed increase had not been included in the budget consultation exercise.

· Lack of transparency.

· The Select Committee had not been given an opportunity to scrutinise the ramifications of the proposal.

· No consultation with the Select Committee’s Homecare Task Group who had been examining the Meals on Wheels Service.

The Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing explained that following a Best Value Review in March 2002 it had been agreed that the Service would be tendered to an independent provider to manage and deliver a Meals on Wheels service. However all the tenders received were above the Directorates Budget. The proposals outlined an increase from £1.80 to £2.50 for a meal. The Portfolio Holder explained that the increase in charges would provide a much improved service. The Service would begin with providing a 5 day hot meal service which would extend to 7 days per week over the course of the first year. The .Head of Adult Services explained that the current Meals on Wheels Service was not sustainable and estimated that by July 2004 the system would collapse.

During debate the Select Committee questioned whether the increase would create a decline in service use. It was advised that the experience of other authorities had been an slight initial decline in use. However the service had quickly grown due to the improved quality of service.

The Select Committee raised serious concerns regarding the lack of consultation and omission from the budget consultation for 2004/05. It was explained that due to a delay in the tendering process the final costing for the service had not been received in time to be considered as part of the budget consultation. Therefore an estimation of cost had been allowed for in the budget, which, unfortunately, all tenders had exceeded.

Members questioned what research had been undertaken to assess whether the additional services would be utilised. The Potential success of these service were not known, however the Directorate would receive a percentage of any additional produce sold by the provider and this would offset some of the increased costs. Some concern was raised regarding the effect additional shopping services would have on the Voluntary Sector, in particular the Shopping Angels managed by Age Concern. The Head of Adult Services explained that no decision had been regarding the future of the Shopping Angels, however if changes were made she would work with Age Concern to ensure the best possible outcome.

The Committee asked if service users requirements were regularly assessed. The Head of Adult Services advised the meeting that initial assessments had been undertaken. However it was recognised that there was a need for a review process. Preliminary investigations were being made via the Care Management Team on whether a review process could be incorporated into the delivery of meals.

Members were assured that a penalty clause would be incorporated into the contract to ensure the Council was compensated if the agreed service was not delivered. This was lacking from the current arrangement.

During discussion the Select Committee referred to the current initiative of the NHS health bodies to increase care in the community. It was asked whether they were providing financial support to this Service. The Directorate were not receiving any direct financial support from health bodies in this area.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT the Strategic Director of Social Services and the Portfolio Holder do not implement this decision, until :

(i) The Executive has had the opportunity to consider the recommendation with the benefit of further information including :

The views of currents service users

Projections on take up and other factors in patterns of use.

CHAIRMAN