21. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19 August 2004 were confirmed.

22. THE COUNCILS FORWARD PLAN

The Select Committee was advised of the items contained in the Forward Plan for September 2004 to December 2004 relating to areas coming within its remit.

It was suggested that in future the Forward Plan for Health Scrutiny be considered along side the Councils Forward Plan. The Chairman agreed to implement this.

ACTION REQUIRED BY SELECT COMMITTEE AND BEST VALUE SUPPORT AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE :

To consider developing a Health Scrutiny Forward Plan.

23. BUDGET MONITORING REPORT AS AT END OF JULY 2004

The Portfolio Holder presented the budget monitoring report which set out the budget and spending position on revenue for the services within this Committees remit, as at the end of July 2004. The Directorate were working towards a balanced budget for the year.

The potential budget pressure around preserved rights funding continued and could be as much as £1million in 2005/06. There had been overspends in the homelessness budget, due to the increased leasing of housing to enable the Council to meet Government targets to have no families with children in bed and breakfast accommodation. As at the end of July 2004 this overspend as a result of this strategy had been offset by other areas within the homeless budget.

Members asked whether there had been any progress on the Councils appeal for the Government to use the 2001 census figures. It was noted that the government was unlikely to give way on this, which would cause a loss, to this Council of approximately £1.6/1.7 million. The Portfolio Holder advised Members that the Directorate would received the Governments preliminary budget settlement in October 2004 and would keep the Committee fully informed.

Some preparatory work was being done in the event of an insufficient government budget, and savings of £300,000 had been found. However these savings would mean the reduction of some services.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

That next month budget report include last years budget outturn figures together with the current figures.

24. QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT REPORT

(During discussion Mr G S Kendall declared an interest as a Executive member or the PCT)

It was noted that with regard to the information relating to Homelessness that there would be an opportunity during the Housing Presentation to ask questions.

Members were assured that the success with Direct Payment would continue.

With regard to the storage of public records, it was noted that a Task Group had been convened to explore all the options for new premises and funding streams.

Members were advised that with regard to homecare provision, the closing date for tender had now passed and 8 companies had applied. All localities had received at least two applications. It was noted that the placement of people in residential and nursing homes were reducing and now focus needed to be placed on intensive care.

The Select Committee asked questions relating to the progress on the integration of the Councils Occupational Therapy service with health. It was advised that work was being undertaken on the Section 31 Agreement. Once integrated, the budget would be pooled and staff would be moved on a secondment basis. This integration would provide better continuity of care for clients.

The failing target on mobile libraries was considered. It was noted that one of the units had been temporarily out of service which had effected performance. It was noted that there were plans to make greater use of mobile libraries ideas such as introducing improved technology and the feasibility of creating mobile post offices had been discussed.

No information had been recorded regarding the rehabilitation care of older people and a reduction in delay of discharges from hospital. It was explained that due to out dated technology all the information had to be re-entered on an annual basis and had not been ready for this report. This problem would be rectified as soon as the Sheridan Swift system was installed.

Members commented on the apparent discrepancy in the User Satisfaction Survey undertaken in November 2003. The information showed that both Health Services and Affordable decent housing were in the top five reasons for making the island a good place to live and being areas in most need of improvement. It was explained that this was a national survey and not specifically designed for the island. In discussion members asked that in future the questions contained in the survey be included in the survey results.

ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

(a) That a written explanation be circulated to the Committee as to why information on visits to museums had not been profiled.

(b) That any plans to promote the mobile library service be circulated to the Committee

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE HEAD OF COMMUNITY SERVICES AND THE PRINCIPAL POLICY OFFICER :

(e) That BVPI 170a and 170b be examined by the Head of Community Services with the Principal Policy Officer to clearly understand the difference between them and provide a better description of what both indicators were seeking to accurately measure.

(f) That a protocol be established for members in response to handling benefit queries (in respect of BVPI 78a).

25. REVIEW OF TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION PROVISION

The report of the Portfolio Holder outlined the range of temporary accommodation available for homeless households and made recommendations for future service provision. The CPA Audit Commission inspection in 2002 had highlighted the requirement for this area to be reviewed.

The report provided details of the following properties :

1. Yarborough House, Fort Mews, Sandown

2. Hillbury House, Weston Road, Shanklin

3. 27 Esplanade, Shanklin

4. Suffolk House, Broadway, Totland

5. Wrafton House, Melville Street, Ryde

6. Jellicoe House, George Street, Ryde

7. Moira House, Sun Hill, Cowes

8. Local Authority Private Sector Leased Accommodation,

9. Housing Association Leased Accommodation.

The Select Committee considered each property individually.

1. Yarborough House, Fort Mews, Sandown

Suggested recommendation : To use the property as short term emergency accommodation further to a feasibility study into the cost implications having been undertaken. To provide funding to South Wight Housing Association for the replacement of the sink-fridge-cooker units amounting to £18,000.

Member raised the following points :

· It was confirmed that the existing management agreement between the Council and South Wight Housing Association would be revisited.

· That the £30,000 to rewire the property was not required immediately.

· That a competitive quote be sought for the replacement units, it was agreed that this would go to tender.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

To use the property as short term emergency accommodation further to a feasibility study into the cost implications having been undertaken. To provide funding to South Wight Housing Association for the replacement of the sink-fridge-cooker units amounting to £18,000.

2. Hillbury House, Weston Road, Shanklin

Suggested recommendation : To review the use of this property in the medium term to ascertain if better use could be made of the site to provide both single and family units and report back to members.

Members raised the following points :

· It was confirmed that there had been difficulty in letting some of the flats.

· Some leases had not specified who was responsible for maintenance.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

To review the use of this property in the medium term to ascertain if better use could be made of the site to provide both single and family units and report back to members.

3. Flats 1 and 2, 27 Esplanade, Shanklin

Suggested recommendation : End Management Agreement with South Wight Housing Association and hand these properties back to the Property Services department for future site redevelopment.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

End Management Agreement with South Wight Housing Association and hand these properties back to the Property Services department for future site redevelopment.

4. Suffolk House Broadway Totland

Suggested recommendation : Undertake a feasibility study in to this site in conjunction with Property Service and report back to members on the likely short term additional costs of decanting residents if redevelopment was considered.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

Undertake a feasibility study in to this site in conjunction with Property Service and report back to members on the likely short term additional costs of decanting residents if redevelopment was considered.

5. Wrafton House, Melville Street, Ryde

Suggested recommendation : To end the lease in June 2006 and make a recommendation to the Portfolio Holder for Resources that this site be disposed of and the capital receipts be used for providing affordable housing in Ryde.

The following issues were raised :

· The buildings Grade 2 listed status would make upgrading the existing site costly.

· That the capital receipt be ring fenced.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AND RESOURCES :

To end the lease in June 2006 and make a recommendation to the Portfolio Holder for Resources that this site be disposed of and the capital receipts be used for providing affordable housing in Ryde.

6. Jellicoe House, George Street, Ryde

Suggested recommendation : Enter into a new lease in September 2006 and make capital provision for the immediate cost of repairs needed to bring this property up to current standards. The lease would be renegotiated to include a clause ensuring that Medina Housing Association undertake the maintenance at this property.

The following issues were raised :

· Concerns were raised regarding the continued use of this property due to its Grade 2 listing. However it was noted that the Council were required to remove all vulnerable people from Bed and Breakfast sites by 2006 and therefore there was currently a need for this type of accommodation.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

Enter into a new lease in September 2006 and make capital provision for the immediate cost of repairs needed to bring this property up to current standards. The lease would be renegotiated to include a clause ensuring that Medina Housing Association undertake the maintenance at this property.

7. Moira House, Sun Hill, Cowes

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

8. Local Authority Private Sector Leased Accommodation

Suggested recommendation : The Homelessness service should continue to map the private sector leases and make provision to replace/reduce the number of leases based on the appropriate service need and revenue implications as necessary.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

The Homelessness service should continue to map the private sector leases and make provision to replace/reduce the number of leases based on the appropriate service need and revenue implications as necessary.

9. Housing Association Leased Accommodation

Suggested recommendation : To review the effectiveness of these schemes as an alternative to private sector leased accommodation to see if better use of revenue funding could be made.

· In discussion members considered that Housing Association Leased Accommodation was in need of urgent review.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

To urgently review the effectiveness of these schemes as an alternative to private sector leased accommodation to see if better use of revenue funding could be made.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, RESOURCES AND THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER :

The Portfolio Holders ensure that any capital receipts achieved be ring-fenced into the localities from where they were generated.

26. HOUSING – COSTS AND COVERAGE

The Select Committee received a presentation from the Head of Housing on his service key objectives, performance targets and structure.

The presentation included the following information :

· What does the Housing Division cover

· Housing Strategy Targets

· Current Homelessness Activity

· Island Housing Register and Points Scheme.

· Housing Renewal

· Supporting People Service

· Service Plan for 2005/6

In particular members referred to homelessness issue. Although the Government’s target of April 2004 to have no families with children in Bed and Breakfast accommodation had been met, this had resulted in an increased number of people in temporary accommodation. Members then discussed the points criteria, for the Island Housing Register. It was noted that the points scheme would be reviewed in the near future.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

(a) That the Portfolio Holder monitor energy conservation.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE HOUSING INTIATIVES OFFICER :

(b) That annual report written by the Council’s Housing Initiatives Officer be circulated to the Committee as appropriate.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE HEAD OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES :

CHAIRMAN