MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 7 AUGUST 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 C R Hancock, Mr J F Howe, Mr V J Morey, Mrs E Oulton, Mr D G Williams
Portfolio Holder :
Mr G S Kendall
Apologies :
Mr R G Mazillius
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr R A Sutton
29. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT, subject to the inclusion of Mrs D Gardiner on the list of attendees, the Minutes of the meeting held on the 8 July 2003 be confirmed.
30. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr Harrison asked a question in relation to the death of Mrs Olenka Thomas (PQ 34/03)
A copy of the question and reply given are contained in the Public Question Register
31. DRAFT VOLUNTARY SECTOR COMPACT
The Chairman welcomed Mrs Marian Prowse, of the Rural Community Council (RCC) and Mrs Felicite Booker, of Age Concern to the meeting. Both Mrs Prowse and Mrs Booker were members of the Voluntary Sector and had contributed to the Compact’s development.
Following the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) in 2002 a Improvement Plan had been developed. A requirement of this had been for a review of the Voluntary Sector Compact be undertaken in order to develop the role of key partners in consultation and the delivery of services. Members noted that the Compact was due to be considered by the Executive on the 10 September 2003, and due to the timescales involved the deadline for consultation was the 22 September 2003.
Members raised several areas for clarification regarding some details of the Compact, these included :
The need for regular monitoring of the Compact
The need to include members of the voluntary Compact in Best Value Reviews
Membership of the Compact
In particular the Select Committee sought clarification regarding the financial implications of the Compact. Members requested that a detailed break down of implementation and running costs for both the Council and Voluntary Sector be circulated to the Committee.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :
THAT the Select Committee support and promote the further development and implementation of the Voluntary Sector Compact
32. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF JUNE 2003
The Head of Policy, Performance and Resources reported on capital and revenue expenditure as at the end of June 2003. Members were advised that the reduction of the Promoting Independence Grant in 2002 had placed an on-going pressure of £148,000 on the two independent living resource centres. The Directorate was currently projecting a potential overspend of £103,000.
Housing Services were currently projecting an overspend due to recent investment in the leasing of properties, it was hoped however that this would reduce the cost of Bed and Breakfast later in the year. It was anticipated that the budget would still be delivered on target.
The Committee were advised that they would receive an update regarding the replacement of the Client Database System at a future meeting.
RESOLVED :
THAT the report be noted.
33. REPORT ON ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING IN 2002/03 AND 2003/04
Following the Committee’s request at its meeting on the 4 March 2003, members received the report of the Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing which provided detail of how the additional resource packages received for 2002/03 and 2003/04 were being utilised.
Members were reminded of the net increase to the 2002/03 budget of £2.784 which had been approved by the Council in February 2002. This had enabled an uplift to the Directorate’s budget service levels and enabled statutory obligations to be met.
With regard to fostering, support and loyalty payments had been enhanced as were the costs associated with recruitment and retention. The Housing Service had received an uplift of £217,000, due to both the lack of grant funding to implement the Supporting People Programme and the need to reduce the numbers in Bed and Breakfast. Consequently bed and breakfast numbers were falling in line with the targets set by the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister.
It was noted that some of the investment was long term and its effects would not be fully realised immediately.
RESOLVED :
THAT a further monitoring report be brought back to the Select Committee in November 2003.
34. REVIEW OF HOMELESSNESS ACTION PLAN
The Head of Housing Services reminded members that the Committee had considered progress in implementing the Homelessness Action Plan in February 2003 and subsequently agreed to review this on a six monthly basis. Members were advised that the majority of action points had been either partly or wholly achieved. Whilst some indicators were on-going and would be continually reviewed until their completion.
It was noted that regular meetings had been arranged between the Council’s Planning Department and Island Housing Associations to support the development of sustainable and affordable housing. The Committee requested that it be kept informed of developments arising from these meetings.
With regard to developing information and communication, housing leaflets had been produced to improve public communications. Information about the service, access to advice, help and the complaints procedure were detailed in the leaflets. It was requested that these be circulated to the Committee. The Committee were advised that a review of the Common Housing Register was currently being undertaken.
RESOLVED :
THAT a further review of the Homelessness Action Plan be brought back to the Select Committee in February 2004.
CHAIRMAN