MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 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, Mrs M A Jarman (deputising for Mr V J Morey), Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mellor, Mrs E Oulton, Mrs J White, Mr D G Williams
Portfolio Holder :
Mr G S Kendall
Apologies :
Mr V J Morey
49. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on the 14 October 2003 be confirmed.
50. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mrs J White declared an interest in Minute 53 as a small shareholder of a Island Housing Association
Mr G Kendall declared an interest in Minute 55 as a Non Executive Member of the Primary Care Trust
51. URGENT BUSINESS
The Chairman raised an item of urgent business that required consideration prior to its next meeting. The Chairman referred to the recently published independent review entitled ‘Commission for an Independent Review Concerning Social Services Involvement in Arranging Monitoring and Providing Support to Miss Olenka Thomas’. The review had been commissioned following Miss Olenka Thomas’ death in July 2003.
The Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing outlined the key findings of the report. The Committee were advised that the coroners inquest would be held in January 2004. Following this the Select Committee emphasised the need to fully scrutinise the report to help ensure further tragedies did not happen.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT the Committee fully scrutinise whole process as highlighted by the report following the publication of the coroners report in January 2004.
(b) THAT the provision of domiciliary care contine to be considered by the Home Care Task Group under the Chairmanship of Mr D Williams at the earliest opportunity
(c) THAT the Action Plan arising from the Olenka Thomas report be scrutinised by the Select Committee at the earliest Select Committee meeting following the Coroners report in January 2004
52. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF SEPTEMBER 2003
The Committee received the report of the Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing which set out both the revenue and capital expenditure as at the end of September 2003. The Portfolio Holder advised members that the Directorate were projecting a potential overspend at the end of the financial year of approximately £126,000. Although the Portfolio Holder indicated that the Directorate was still working towards a balanced budget for the year. As members were aware a ‘headroom exercise’ was currently being undertaken to identify potential savings.
Consideration was given to the free nursing care pooled budget which was produced on a quarterly basis and agreed by the pooled budget management board. This budget was projecting an underspend of approximately £688,000, the Council would receive approximately £525,000 based on respective contributions to the pool. This underspend had been taken into account in the overall budget position and already allocated to specific client groups.
Members had requested at its meeting on the 7 October 2003 that an appropriate officer from Property Services attended the meeting to provide greater detail on the building maintenance budget controlled by the Resources Select Committee. The Acting Corporate Building Manager advised members that the Social Services Directorate were allocated £106,000 per annum by the Resources Select Committee to provide maintenance to their Council buildings. However it was noted that because Property Services recorded expenditure by building and Social Services by client group there would be limited value in scrutinising this budget separately from the Resources Select Committee.
During discussion the Committee requested that further details of the free nursing care pooled budgets be circulated to Members.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be accepted.
53. HOMELESSNESS MONITORING AND NOMINATION STATISTICS
The Select Committee received the Homelessness and Nomination statistics which provided the homeless statistics from June 2003 to September 2003. The number of household presenting as homeless had risen slightly reflecting seasonal trends, which had slowed the reduction in the numbers in Bed and Breakfast, although this was expected to improve in the next few months.
Since the report had been produced the Portfolio Holder advised the Committee that Bed and Breakfast figures as at the end of October 2003 had been reduced to 18 families with children and 10 families being in B&B for more than 6 weeks. The number of leased properties had continued to increased and it was indicated that it was likely the target of 80 leased properties would be exceeded. In light of this, there was continued optimism that the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister deadline of April 2004 could still be achieved. The Committee questioned the low number of leases being undertaken by Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s). The Committee were advised that in general the Island Housing Associations had determined that leasing was high risk, however they were in discussion with the Housing Department regarding ‘home buy’ schemes. In addition work was being undertaken with the Council’s Housing Benefits department to encourage private landlords to accept benefit payments.
Members asked for assurance that the quality of Bed and Breakfast accommodation was monitored. The Head of Housing confirmed that if a complaint was made by a client an investigation was undertaken and if necessary the client was relocated. The Head of Housing advised the Committee that a number of B&B’s were currently withdrawing from the market in response to the ODPM April 2004 target.
Members requested that a further report be brought to the Committee in February 2004, however if the Head of Housing had any concerns regarding progress he should report to the Committee as appropriate.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Homelessness and Nomination Statistics quarterly report be accepted.
54. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING IN 2003/04
Members considered the allocation and utilisation of additional funding for Social Services and Housing Directorate approved by the Council in February 2003. The Portfolio Holder advised the Committee that there had been a significant improvement in the service areas that had received the additional funding. The Committee were assured that expenditure was being strictly monitored.
With regard to Foster Carers the additional resources had provided greater support for carers and additional training. This investment had been vital to the Council’s recruitment and retention strategy for Island Foster Carers.
The Select Committee questioned the ongoing additional funding of the Supporting People Programme. As members were aware the Government grant awarded for this programme was not sufficient to cover the administration costs it was likely that the Directorate would have to continue to support this cost. It was noted that the ‘headroom’ exercise would address this matter further.
There had been a one off injection of funding into promoting equalities, members emphasised the need to ensure that this was done corporately.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be accepted.
55. PROPOSALS FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT ISLE OF WIGHT HEALTHCARE STRATEGY
The Select Committee received the report of the Head of Select Committee and Best Value Support which set out proposals for the Select Committees consultation on the Draft Isle of Wight Healthcare Strategy. At its meeting on the 14 October 2003 the Committee had agreed to undertake its own consultation with stakeholders, patient’s representatives and other interested bodies to provide a response to the draft strategy.
It was recommended that the consultation be undertaken by a series of Select Committee meetings to consider specific themes within the strategy. The meetings would take place in the evenings at County Hall. Members considered the timetable of consultation meetings.
In discussion the Committee fully supported the proposals and considered that it would be a great opportunity for a wide cross-section of the community to be involved in the Select Committee’s consultation process.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Select Committee support the consultation proposals and schedule of consultation meetings.
56. PRESENTATION FROM HEALING ARTS
The Chairman welcomed Mr Guy Eades, Arts Director of Healing Arts to the meeting. The Select Committee received a presentation from Mr Eades which explained the work and role of Healing Arts in delivering healthcare on the Island.
Mr Eades advised members that Healing Arts delivered a variety of programmes under key themes at healthcare, community and arts venues across the island.
The key themes included :
The Built Environment
Art in Hospitals
Medical humanities
Art Therapists
Community Arts
The Select Committee was advised that due to a number of members having other commitments the meeting would not be quorate. An informal note would however be kept of the proceedings.
Members present :- Mr I R Stephens (in the Chair), Mrs B D Clough, Mr J F Howe, Mrs E Oulton, Mr D Williams
The Social Services Communications officer indicated that she would be happy to help raise the profile of Healing Arts and link in with the health agenda. Members asked whether surestart had been contacted, Mr Eades confirmed contact had been made, but to date a reply had not been received. The Select Committee invited Healing Arts to liaise with Select Committee and Best Value Support to strengthen its links with the Council.
Members thanked Mr Eades for his presentation
CHAIRMAN