MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES , HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 4 JULY 2001 COMMENCING AT 4.00 PM

Present :

Mr R G Mazillius (Chairman), Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr M J Cunningham (as deputy for Mr A J Mundy), Mr C R Hancock, Mr G S Kendall, Mrs E Oulton, Mr R C Richards, Mr I R Stephens, Mr D G Williams

Spokesperson :

Mr J A Bowker

Apologies :

Miss H L Humby, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs J L Wareham

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2001 be confirmed.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The following members declared non-pecuniary interests:

Mr M J Cunningham as a member of the Riverside Centre Board of Directors.

Mr G Kendall as a member of the Primary Care Trust

3. URGENT BUSINESS - COMMENCEMENT TIME OF FUTURE MEETINGS

The Chairman indicated that there was an item of urgent business that required consideration by the Select Committee prior to the next meeting.

Consideration was given to the motion proposed at the Social Services, Benefits and Housing Select Committee training day that all future meetings of the Select Committee should commence at 9.00 am. There was general consent that the time of commencement should be amended.

RESOLVED :

THAT the commencement time for future meetings of the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee should be amended to 9.00 am.

4. INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF SERVICES AND SUPPORT TO RICHARD AND ROBERT TURNBULL AND THEIR PARENTS ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

In January 2001, the Isle of Wight Council Social Services and Housing Directorate, IOW Health Authority and IOW Healthcare NHS Trust commissioned the Community Care Development Centre to undertake an independent review of the services and support provided to Richard and Robert Turnbull and their parents on the Isle of Wight. The review had been published on 25 June 2001 and had been considered by the Health Authority Board on 27 June 2001 and the NHS Healthcare Trust Board on 28 June 2001.

The report of the Director was received setting out the main conclusions from the independent review which identified that the statutory organisations did not fail in their duty to protect the two young men. Members noted that the review supported the findings of the internal enquiry carried out in 1999. It identified those areas where services had performed well and also highlighted areas of support which could have been better. The relevant key agencies proposed to develop a joint action plan to implement the series of recommendations detailed in the review. The draft, joint action plan would be presented to the September meeting of the Select Committee. The Director responded to Members questions and concern raised regarding specific issues which needed to be addressed.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the findings and recommendations of the Independent Report be noted;

(ii) THAT an Action Plan be drawn up with the Health Authority Board, the NHS Healthcare Trust Board and the Primary care Trust to implement the recommendations set out in the Independent Report;

(iii) THAT the draft Action Plan drawn up as a result be formally reported to the September meeting of the Select Committee for scrutiny and confirmation;

(iv) THAT formal letters of apology for the shortcomings listed in the report be sent to Mr and Mrs Turnbull from the Portfolio holder for Social Services and Housing and the Chairman of the Select Committee and from the Director of Social Services and Housing.

CHAIRMAN