MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 2004 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

 

Present :

 

Mr I R Stephens (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mrs B D Clough, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr V J Morey, Mrs E Oulton, Mr R C Richards (deputising for Mr J F Howe), Mr D G Williams

 

Portfolio Holder :

 

Mr R R Barry, Mr G S Kendall

 

Apologies :

 

Mr J F Howe

 

Also Present (non voting) :

 

Mr A C Bartlett

 

 

32.              MINUTES

 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 October 2004 were agreed.

 

33.              DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

There were no declarations at this time.

 

34.              HOUSING AND COUNCIL TAX BENEFITS IMPROVEMENT PLAN

 

Members were reminded that following an inspection by the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate (BFI) in July 2003 a number of recommendations had been made that would ensure the service being fully compliant with the benefit performance standards.  The Council was required to develop an Action Plan which would respond to every recommendation.

 

There were three key indicators that had to be achieved.  With the help of the BFI two of the standards, benefit overpayment and claim processing had been met and it was also identified that the service was meeting 94% of its performance standards.  The Department for Work and Pensions target of 36 days for processing new claims and 9 days for processing changes in circumstances were also being met.

 

The Select Committee were advised that from April 2005 the Benefit Performance Standard would change.  It was also anticipated that from 2006 benefits would change again in which a Local Housing Allowance, based on area rather than type of housing would come into operation.

 

Members of the Select Committee wanted their congratulations to the Revenue and Benefit Manager and his Team recorded.

Members asked if there were any plans for another member awareness session and believed that an annual seminar should be arranged.  The Select Committee raised various issues which included :

 

·         Poor telephone access – Call centre would take basic calls.

 

·         Extended opening hours – Customer satisfaction survey did not show a need to open on Saturdays, but the situation would be monitored.

 

·         Partnership working – Forums were successful but there was low attendance at meetings.

 

·         Access for disabled – Waiting for minor changes, if unable to gain access an officer will visit applicant’s home.

 

·         Benefits being taught in school – Held discussions with Connexions and given them training.

 

·         How benefits not recovered dealt with – Robust steps in place for recovery.

 

·         Issues of sickness – Long term sickness considerably reduced since 2003.

 

·         Stress – Have some very good supervisors who deal with difficult customers.

 

·         Jenny’s role – Training officer, not just internal staff but also outside organisations/agencies/partners.

 

·         Issues raised – Will add to the agenda if need to.

 

Members noted that all the recommendations had either been completed or were ongoing and they believed that a press statement should be issued congratulating the Revenue and Benefit Section for their success.

 

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY COUNCILLOR ERICA OUTLON :

 

That Councillor Erica Oulton the Lead Member for Benefits continues to monitor the Action Plan and report back to the Select Committee in 6 months.

 

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY REVENUES AND BENEFITS MANAGER AND THE DEMOCRATIC SERVICES MANAGER :

 

That an annual benefits seminar be arranged for Members to raise awareness, continually monitor benefit take-up and review key performance indicators.

 

35.              SERVICE PLANS 2005/06

 

(a)               Adult and Community Services

 

The Service Plans had been based on seven specialist areas with particular issues around homecare.  Members asked questions in relation to Direct Payments for Care and were advised that a client would be able to choose their own care providers and not necessarily use the Council’s preferred providers.  The Council had a duty to ensure that money received was spent on care.  The Select Committee believed there was a need to ensure that home care providers were sending out the right message in relation to home care.  Members asked if the new home care providers would be re-employing current carers and were advised that more carers were needed than were currently employed.

 

Members asked for the actual figures with regard to days lost through stress related sickness within the Adult Services Section.

 

(b)               Housing and Community Support Services

 

The Head of Housing advised Members that Wight Care Services would be transferring to Adult and Community Services.  The budget bid was an Invest to Save bid and an explanation was given as to the areas that could show a significant risk.  Members were reassured that the identified risk associated with contractor availability to undertake essential work had been resolved.

 

(c)               Business Development Unit

 

The Select Committee asked why there appeared to be a cost to home working as Members believed it should be cost neutral.  The Director advised that it would be an Invest to Save bid that allowed for the Council to reduce capital costs by extending home working.

 

There was some discussion with regard to replacement/depreciation costs for IT equipment.  Members queried whether it was right for the Directorate to be paying for replacement/depreciation costs as they believed these items should be dealt with by the GAGS programme and be managed by Corporate ICT.

 

(d)               Community Development and Leisure

 

The Portfolio Holder for Community Services advised members that this was a new area for the Select Committee with a diverse, cross cutting and complex range of services which cut across two Select Committees.

 

Members discussed the problems associated with car parking at leisure centres and were advised that an investigation was being undertaken to see if there was a way of offsetting the cost of visiting leisure centre’s without undermining Council policy.  Early information suggested that there was an effect but it was not certain if it was long term or not, a report would be sent to members when it had been completed.

 

The Select Committee were advised that an a contract was being concluded with a printer and supplier in relation to the Rowlandson prints being marketed.

 

There was some discussion in relation to branding for the Island and how it would be marketed.  This would be linked to the Isle of Wight Partnerships work on 20/20 vision.  Members asked how may libraries were compliant with the Disabled Discrimination Act and were advised that approximately 80% were.

 

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

 

That the Invest to Save budget should be used to fund any revenue bids in respect of extending home working, improving existing out of hours IT equipment and connections.

 

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND HEAD OF CORPORATE POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS :

 

The Head of Organisational Development should oversee all replacement/depreciation IT equipment bids rather than them being included in individual service plans.

 

ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY THE HEAD OF ADULT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES :

 

The actual figures with regard to days lost through stress related sickness within the Adult Services Section be supplied to the Select Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN