SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE 6-11-02 MINUTES

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mr I R Stephens (Chairman), Mr A C Bartlett, Mr G S Kendall, Mrs M J Lloyd (deputising for Mr G P Price), Mr A J Mellor, Mrs E Oulton, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams

Portfolio Holder :

Mr R G Mazillius

Apologies :

Mrs T M Butchers, Mr C R Hancock, Mr G P Price

Also present (non-voting) :

Mr J A Bowker

41. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2002 be confirmed.

42. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations made at this stage.

43. REPORTS OF THE ACTING STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING

(a) Performance Management and the Autumn Position Statement

The Committee was advised that there had been a delay in producing an Autumn Position Statement as the guidance and template had not yet been produced. It was anticipated that the information would be available for the next meeting.

RESOLVED :

THAT discussion be deferred on this matter until the Select Committee meeting on 4 December 2002.

(b) Fairer Charging for Home Care and Other Non-Residential Social Services

The Acting Strategic Director outlined the background to the changes required to the Council’s charging practice for home care, day care, community laundry and minor adaptions. These would have to be brought fully into operation by 1 April 2003. The Council in producing a charging policy had to take into account initial design of policy and consultation, assessment of disability related expenditure, benefits advice and good practice and performance monitoring. The phased implementation of the guidance would result in changes to the Council’s existing practice and these were detailed.

To offset an anticipated loss of income to the Council resulting from the revised charging scheme a contingency of £200,000 had been included in the 2002/03 budget. A bid for a further £250,000 would be made for 2003/04. A clearer picture of the actual financial effects would not be known until the outcome of the full financial assessment review of the 1,600 users had been completed and the first phase of the revised charging policy had been implemented.

Members highlighted the need for those who were eligible for benefit to be aware of this and claim accordingly. It was important that any charging policy was simple to understand. The policy would be reviewed on an annual basis.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

Members considered the budget monitoring report detailing revenue expenditure and income and capital expenditure as at the end of September 2002. This indicated that there was a projected revenue overspend of approximately £24,000, equivalent to less than 0.1% of the budget. Capital expenditure was on target.

The Select Committee believed that it would be beneficial to have those services showing exceptional pressures highlighted within the report. This could be achieved by identifying areas where there was a 5% variance to expenditure or income.

RESOLVED ;

THAT the report be noted and future reports highlight those areas showing exceptional service pressures.

(d) Foster Care Services and National Minimum Standards

The Chairman welcomed Mr and Mrs M Hatcher of the Isle of Wight Foster Carers Association to the meeting for this item.

The Select Committee was reminded of the difficulties being experienced in the recruitment and retention of foster carers. Officers had therefore investigated the enhancement of the support package provided by the Council to foster carers on the Island. In addition the Council was obliged to issue an annual statement of the aims and objectives of the Fostering Service.

Members considered the initial estimated costs involved in implementing the proposals. The minimum would be £408,500 rising to a maximum of £645,000 dependant on the level of support provided under the different elements. It was believed that the improved package may result in a reduction in the use of private carers leading to revenue savings.

A number of minor amendments were identified to the Statement of Purpose for Fostering Services relating to the role of the Select Committee.

Mr and Mrs Hatcher welcomed the improvements contained within the proposed support package. They also highlighted the need to ensure that sufficient respite care was included as part of any revised package.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the summary requirements of the National Minimum Standards be noted and the draft Statement of Purpose for the Isle of Wight be endorsed.

(ii) THAT the broad direction of proposals to support carers in keeping with the Care Standards Act, including respite care, be endorsed.

(e) Homeless Monitoring and Nomination Statistics

In accordance with the Select Committee’s request at the meeting on 2 October 2002 the Acting Strategic Director had produced statistics relating homelessness and homeless nominations. These were to be produced on a monthly basis and would over a period of time give useful information on the Council’s performance.

Members discussed the format and content of the statistics.

RESOLVED :

THAT the statistics be noted and the changes be made to the format as agreed between the Chairman of the Select Committee and the Head of Housing.

CHAIRMAN