MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 8 MAY 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 R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mellor, Mrs E Oulton, Mr R C Richards, Mr D G Williams

Portfolio Holder :

Mr G S Kendall

Apologies :

Miss H L Humby

Also Present (non voting) :

Mrs T M Butchers

 1.        MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 April 2003 be confirmed.

2.        PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Mrs Swan asked a question in relation to Factitious or Induced Illnesses in Children (PQ 16/03)

Mr Page asked a oral question in relation to Occupational Therapy grants. The Strategic Director would provide a written response.

A copy of the question and reply given are contained in the Public Question Register.

3.        BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF MARCH 2003

The Select Committee received the budget report which set out the budget and spending position on both revenue and capital for the services within the Committee’s remit as at the end of March 2003. It was noted that the Directorate was currently projecting a potential underspend at the end of the financial year of approximately £6,000. The final position would be known after the end of June 2003.

Members considered the overspend of £16,603 in the Direct Services budget. It was thought that this overspend related to emergency repairs. It was agreed that a full written reply by the Head of Direct Services be circulated to the Select Committee.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Budget Monitoring report as at the end of March 2003 be accepted.

4.        REPORT ON ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ALLOCATED TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND HOUSING IN 2002/03 AND 2003/04

The Select Committee received the report of the Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing which had been requested by the Committee at its meeting on the 4 March 2003. Members received details of the additional resources packages approved by the Council in February 2002 for the 2002/03 Social Services and Housing Directorate’s budget and the package approved by Council in February 2003 for the 2003/04 budget.

In discussion it was requested that the Select Committee receive quarterly reports detailing the impact that the budget growth bids for both 2002/03 and 2003/04 had on provision of services.

It was noted that the full budget ramifications arising from the National Care Standards Commission for Homecare and Residential care may not yet be apparent.

RESOLVED :

           (a)       THAT the effect of the budget growth bid for both 2002-04 be detailed in quarterly reports to the Select Committee

           (b)       THAT the report detailing additional resources allocated to social services and Housing in 2002/03 and 2003/04 be noted.

5.        HOMELESSNESS MONITORING AND NOMINATIONS STATISTICS

The Select Committee received the report of the Head of Housing Services outlining the Homeless Monitoring and Nomination Statistics for March 2003. It was noted that the number of households in Bed and Breakfast accommodation had continued to fall. Members were advised that the service was working with partners and the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister to meet the Government target to remove all families from Bed and Breakfast by April 2004.

It was advised that the Homelessness Task Group was scheduled to meet at the end of May 2003 to consider minor changes to the report format. In discussion Members were assured that all clients were advised of alternative help available such as the Housing Advice Centre.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Homelessness Monitoring and Nomination Statistics be noted.

6.        BEST VALUE REVIEW OF BENEFITS

Members were advised that as part of the Best Value Review Programme, the Benefits Review was scheduled to start in May 2003. It was considered that the Select Committee should form a significant part of the Appraisal Group.

RESOLVED :

THAT the following members of the Select Committee join the Best Value Review of Benefits Appraisal Group

Mr R Mazillius

Mrs E Oulton

Mrs D Gardiner

7.        ‘GREAT ACCESS TO GREAT SERVICES’ (GAGS) - A DEPARTMENTAL OVERVIEW

Consideration was given to the report of the Strategic Director of Social Services and Housing which considered the Council’s initiative to develop and further improve access and services through Great Access to Great Services (GAGS).

The Select Committee considered the current operation of the Social Services and Housing Directorate and its link to the wider GAGS initiatives. As Members were aware, the GAGS initiative intended to make the Council more customer focussed and to aim that 80% of enquiries be dealt with at the first point of contact. Members considered it important to carefully select areas that could be adequately dealt with outside the Directorate to ensure maintained quality of service delivery.

In discussion members agreed that the Directorate required greater integration with other Council services. The Head of Policy, Performance and Resources provided members with an update of the current work being done towards upgrading the Directorates current systems and highlighted potential areas that could be shared with others under strict security.

It was suggested that all sections prepare Frequently Asked Questions to identify common questions that could be answered at the Council’s first point of contact.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

8.        ACTION PLAN FOLLOWING THE INSPECTION OF SOCIAL CARE SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE

The Committee received the report of the Head of Adult Services detailing the progress of the Action plan arising from the Inspection of Social Care Services for Older People in June 2002. As Members were aware the Action Plan had last been considered by the Committee at its meeting on the 4 December 2002 and as requested the format of the plan had been slightly amended. It was noted that the Action Plan, with few exceptions was on schedule for its completion dates.

With regard to the carer’s booklet members noted that this was behind schedule, however a communications officer had now been successfully appointed and printing of the booklet was scheduled to start in June 2003.

In discussion members raised concern that the effect of Supporting People Programme was having on care homes. It was reported staff had already been lost from the Adelaide to work for the Supporting People Programme which paid a significantly better hourly rate.

RESOLVED :

THAT the progress against the action plan be noted.

9.        SOCIAL SERVICES, HOUSING AND BENEFITS SELECT COMMITTEE - WORK PLAN FOR 2003

The Committee received a copy of the Select Committee Workplan for the forthcoming months. Subject to a few minor amendments members agreed the content of the Workplan. Members noted that it was intended to arrange an informal briefing for the Select Committee to receive a “Healthfit” update in July 2003.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Select Committee Workplan be agreed.

10.      

EXTRACT FROM THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL FORWARD PLAN - MAY TO AUGUST 2003 (SOCIAL SERVICES ITEMS ONLY)

RESOLVED :

THAT the Forward Plan be noted.

CHAIRMAN