MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICE, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 6 JUNE 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr I R Stephens (Chairman), Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs T M Butchers, Mrs B D Clough, Mr C R Hancock, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mr G P Price, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams
Portfolio Holder :
Mr R G Mazillius
Also Present (Non- Voting) :
Mr J A Bowker
10. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 May 2002 be confirmed.
11. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
An interest was declared in the following item :
Mrs T Butchers declared a personal interest in Minute 12 - Housing Annual Report 2001/02 as the Council’s nominated representative on Medina Housing Association Management Board.
12. HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT 2001/02
(Mrs T Butchers declared a personal interest in relation to her appointment by the Council to the Medina Housing Association Management Board)
Members received the Housing Annual Report for the year 2001/02 which outlined the service activity during the past year. The Strategic Director referred to a number of issues contained in the report. It was noted that the high levels of homelessness and the shortage of permanent and temporary housing would continue for the foreseeable future.
The Select Committee were advised that the Audit Commission were undertaking a Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) of the Council. This included a formal inspection of the homeless service, the finding of the inspection would be presented to Members in late June 2002.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
13. SUPPORTING PEOPLE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME
The report of the Strategic Director updating Members on the implementation of the Supporting People Programme was received. The report provided information on the progress made on addressing areas which the Department of Transport Local Government and Regions (DTLR) had identified as areas of concern following the January 2002 milestone report.
The Select Committee were advised following the January 2002 milestone report that a number of measures had been implemented to ensure the programme was effective and efficient.
Members discussed the need to ensure that the new IT systems put in place to support the implementation programme were compatible with other Council systems. It was agreed that awareness training on the programme would be supported by Members.
RESOLVED :
(a) THAT the Select Committee elect a Supporting People “Champion” to work with the Supporting People Team
(b) THAT the Supporting People Project Manager produce a draft charging policy for the Select Committee in September 2002.
14. FUTURE DIRECTION OF SOCIAL CARE SERVICES AND HOUSING, ISLE OF WIGHT
The Strategic Director presented his report which provided background to changes in the relationship between Health Services, Schools and Social Services. Both the Health and Social Care Act (2001) and Health Act (1999) had encouraged close working relationships between health and social care agencies and the introduction of Care Trusts.
Recent Government legislation set common duties and responsibilities on Primary Care Trusts and the Social Services department to plan together and implement new policies and strategies. In addition, from the 1 April 2003 all Councils would be required to set up overview and scrutiny Committees to allow public debate and consider health issues. Concern was raised that with the creation of new organisations outside of the Council there would be a loss of direct control by members and the local community. However, Members were reminded that this would be offset by the Council’s ability to scrutinise the health provision by means of the newly established scrutiny committees.
The Strategic Director advised Members, in view of the progress made between the Primary Care Trust and Social Service Directorate that a firm recommendation would be brought to this Select committee in September 2003.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
15. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PERFORMANCE (2000 - 01)
Members welcomed Jessica Slater the Social Services Inspector for the Directorate. The report of the Strategic Director detailed the Annual Review of performance for social service as assessed by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI).
The review had been conducted in January 2002 and contributed to the final star grading of all Social Services Departments by the Department of Health. The Isle of Wight Social Services Directorate had received a star rating of 2 which was considered to be a positive rating. The assessment indicated considerable progress since the poor joint review in 1999 whilst also indicating areas for improvement.
RESOLVED :
THAT a progress report be brought back to the Select Committee in November 2002.
16. SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING BUDGET - PROJECTED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR 2001 - 02
The report of the Strategic Director indicating the projected overspend for the year 2001/02 for the Social Services and Housing budget was received. The revised Social Services budget as agreed by Council on 20 February 2002 was based on a projected overspend of £570,000 and it was anticipated that the overall overspend would be contained within this approved figure.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
17. FORWARD PLAN
Members received the Forward Plan covering the period May to August 2002.
RESOLVED :
That the Forward Plan be noted.
CHAIRMAN
.