MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2003 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

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

Portfolio Holder :

Mr G S Kendall

57 MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on the 6 November 2003 be confirmed.

58 BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF OCTOBER 2003

The Portfolio Holder reported on the budget and spending position on revenue and capital as at the end of October 2003. The Directorate were projecting a potential overspend at the end of the financial year of approximately ,118,000. The Portfolio Holder indicated that the Directorate were still working towards a balanced budget for the year.

With regard to the capital expenditure members were advised that the budget for computer equipment was committed and would be spent once the location of staff was finalised.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

59 REPORT ON THE PROVISION OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR ON BEHALF OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND HOUSING DIRECTORATE

The Select Committee received the report of the Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing which provided Members with an update on the current budget expenditure for the services provided by the Voluntary Sector on behalf of the Social Services and Housing Directorate. This expenditure was in the first steps of review to revisit service levels and contractual agreements and to propose alternative ways of commissioning services as part of the budget headroom exercise for 2004/05.

As Members were aware the Voluntary Sector played a valuable role in supporting the Council to maintain and deliver services. The importance of this role had been enforced recently by the launch of the Voluntary Compact Agreement between the Council and the Voluntary Sector.

A number of areas required examination, including the eligibility for each client group and how services were procured. The Portfolio Holder advised Members that a number of existing agreements were historical and needed review in line with the headroom exercise.

Members of the Voluntary Compact were invited to comment. Voluntary representatives asked who had made representation to the Joint Commissioner, setting out a case for the price paid for voluntary services. The Strategic Director of Social Services indicated that the representation had been made by elements of the Voluntary Sector. With regard to contractual arrangements, the Voluntary Sector indicated that they were unable to forward plan due to short term contracts. The Strategic Director agreed that the Directorate needed to work towards early notification of change to contracts. In addition the management and length of contracts required further examination.

The Select Committee considered the Social Services Directorate liaison with the Voluntary Sector needed improvement, in particular the frequency of contact.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT a meeting between the Social Services and Housing Directorate and Voluntary Sector be convened to improve communications concerning contractual arrangements at the earliest opportunity.

(b) THAT the Select Committee request the Best Value Unit to undertake an immediate review on the grants received by the Voluntary Sector to ensure equity and value for money.

(c) THAT the Social Services and Housing Directorate keep the Voluntary compact fully informed of current and future contracting arrangements.

60 CARE MANAGEMENT AND COMMISSIONING BEST VALUE REVIEW IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing which detailed the progress of the Implementation Plan arising from the Best Value Improvement Plan for Care Management and Commissioning. The Implementation Plan had previously been considered by the Select Committee in both May 2001 and January 2003 and had now been updated again.

With regard to the development of the resources database, the Committee were advised that the database was available on the Councils intranet. Further work was required before this would be place on the Council=s website. The appointment of the Communications Officer had also assisted availability of information to stakeholders.

The development of more consistent and high quality assessment and care services was discussed. Members were assured that the quality of care was managed by the National Care Standards Commission. The Committee indicated that further local systems needed to be put in place to ensure a robust quality check. This issue was also being examined by the Home Care Task Group. It was noted that the Single Assessment Process should also act as another check for ensuring quality care.

The Committee raised concern that some areas of the report were highlighted as being achieved when some areas of work had not yet been fully implemented. Members requested that only fully completed work be considered as achieved.

RESOLVED :

THAT an update briefing note on the Improvement Plan be circulated to members of the Select Committee in six months.

61 MEMBERS QUESTION TIME

Mr R Mazillius asked a question regarding the information produced by the Communications Officer on a monthly and quarterly basis. The Chairman asked that any relevant communications produced should be circulated to the Select Committee

CHAIRMAN