Report from the Cabinet member for
TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL ON
The
last month has been extremely busy and, therefore, this report highlights only
the most significant events.
Adult & Community Services
A
memorandum of understanding has been agreed between the Isle of Wight Council
and the Isle of Wight NHS Primary Care Trust. The aim of the memo is to achieve
the following:
1)
Work together in
order to improve the health of the
2)
Agree a disposal
programme for a joint property portfolio.
3)
Agree a move
towards shared ‘back office’ functions that will produce efficiencies for both
organisations.
4)
Develop joint
commissioning arrangements, which will make best use of our available resources
and meet the local needs of people.
5)
Develop local
models of joint health and social care delivery.
The
full agreement can be viewed on the Isle of Wight Council website.
Director of Public Health
I
am pleased to confirm that Dr Jennifer Smith has been appointed Director of
Public Health. Members should note that this is a joint appointment and Dr
Smith shall be commencing her duties shortly.
This
inquiry has been initiated by the Government and I am pleased to represent the
Local Government Association and the Isle of Wight Council on the advisory
group. A first draft has been issued and further information can be found on
www.mhilli.org. A final report will be presented to the government in March and
I am pleased to report that the Isle of Wight Council was able to contribute to
the examples of good practice.
Carers Conference
The
conference was part of the work undertaken by the Adult and Community Services
Directorate to modernise the delivery of learning disability services. We were
extremely encouraged by the number of parents and carers who attended.
Of
particular interest was the work being undertaken to establish the ‘in control’
project. Through the project, the Council hopes to radically transform its
social care responsibilities and change the way such business is conducted.
Further information
about
the project and alterations to the delivery of services will be forthcoming
shortly.
IDeA National Network – Transforming
Older Person’s Services
The
Director and I were pleased to attend this event, and were both pleased to note
that the direction of travel adopted here on the
Fuel Poverty Strategy
A
strategy was launched last week and the details can be found on the Isle of
Wight Council website. The strategy is in partnership with Age Concern, Anchor
Stay Put, Isle of Wight NHS PCT, Vectis Housing and the Footprint Trust. Many
thanks to the Warm Homes Group for their work highlighting the need for
vulnerable older people to stay warm during the winter months. This strategy
meets the requirements of our healthy
Corporate Parenting
Members
should note that we are organising specific training for members, with regards
to corporate parenting. I am directly involved with organising events for
members so that awareness of looked after children is improved. Details to follow.
Children’s Services
We
will shortly be advertising for an independent chair for the Children’s Trust.
A review of arrangements are currently underway, the details of which will be
reported to members in due course.
Cllr