Agenda and minutes

The Executive Director gave an update on the action points arising from the Children’s Re-inspection by the CSCI Inspectors which took place in June 2004, highlighting various issues such as quality of data which was to be improved, the need to improve resources for staff and service users, review of the budget for Children’s Services and development of a protocol for a commissioning strategy.

Good progress was being made generally on the Action Plan. Previously a key area of concern related to the recruitment of social workers and the progress being made on this aspect was reported which will ease the situation.

Subsequent comments on the Action Plan made reference to :-

-          The staff accommodation situation, which was being pursued

-          The recruitment and retention of staff

-          The demographic situation in respect of staff retiring/leaving and planning of workforce requirements prior to staff leaving

-          The need for a replacement lead officer to be appointed in respect of the programme of work relating to Children and Young Peoples’ Services

Resolved:- (1) That the updated report be received.

(2) That the progress made on implementing the action points be noted.

(3) That a report be submitted to the April meeting of this Scrutiny Panel on the workforce planning issues for the whole area of Social Services and action being taken to rectify problems.

(4) That a further updated report on the Action Plan be submitted to this Scrutiny Panel in three months time.

The Executive Director reported that significant progress had been achieved in undertaking and implementing the key tasks identified within the three Social Services Business Plans for 2004/05.

As at December 2004, 61% of the key tasks had been completed, 1% having been superseded or abandoned.

Sufficient work has been achieved to date on the outstanding key tasks to indicate that they will be completed as planned.

The Executive Director highlighted various issues on the work undertaken on the key tasks completed to date, including the increased number of users receiving a Direct Payment.

Councillor Kirk referred to the Extra Care Housing Scheme and action being taken on the site situation.

Particular reference was also made to Supporting People, the Inspector indicating recently that the service would be awarded two stars with promising prospects.

In addition, an update was given on the situation in respect of Service Business Plans and what has yet to be achieved.

With regard to Ongoing Tasks, several issues were highlighted and clarified, particularly in respect of Learning Disability Services.

Comment was also made in respect of the Women’s Refuge situation and the need for a progress report.

Resolved:- (1) That the progress achieved to date be noted.

(2) That progress on the Social Services Business Plans 2004/05 continue to be monitored until completion of all key tasks by March, 2005.

(3) That a report be submitted to the March meeting of this Scrutiny Panel with an update on service provision to people experiencing domestic violence.

The Executive Director reported on how the Programme Area was performing against a number of key indicators and the action being taken to improve on the under performing indicators.

Members were informed that the majority were doing well, progressing in the right direction.

Discussion took place on how targets were arrived at and why some appeared to have been set too high. The Executive Director clarified these issues.

Other areas of comment were in respect of :-

-          The Statement of Needs situation, it being acknowledged that performance should be improved

-          Waiting times for assessments

-          Re-assessment situation and the work being undertaken to improve performance on this issue

-          The emergency admission to hospitals process which had been referred to the Health Scrutiny Working Group.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and the performance achieved to date be noted.

(2) That progress on Performance Indicators and their future development continue to be monitored and reported upon.

(3) That a report be submitted to a future meeting of this Scrutiny Panel on the situation in respect of waiting times for assessments.

The Finance and Accountancy Manager informed the meeting of the latest projected revenue expenditure against budget for Social Services for the financial year 2004/05. The report highlighted major variations and action plans to ensure spending remains within the approved cash limited budget.

The report indicated projected expenditure against budget based on actual expenditure for the period April to the end of November 2004.

The overall position shows a projected overspend of £449,140 (or 0.69%) for the Programme Area against a revenue budget of £65,284,271, a reduction against the previous month.

A summary of the main variations for each Service Area, with reasons for projected underspends/overspends was submitted.

The variations were as follows:-

-          Children and Families; overall overspend of £336,200 (+ 2.14%)

-          Adult Services; overall overspend of £162,000 (+0.34%)

-          Strategic Services; overall underspend of £46,000 (-1.94%)

-          Finance and Accountancy; overall underspend of £3,000 (-1.98%)

Subsequent comments were made which related to :-

(a) the cost of residential placements for children;

(b) the cost of using agency staff and the recruitment situation in Social Services;

(c) the budget situation for Learning Disability Care which had been included in the “A” list of priorities.

Resolved:- That the latest revenue budget monitoring report for 2004/05 be received.

Resolved:- That the position as submitted of the Key Decisions in the Forward Plan for Social Services be noted.

Comments on the content of the minutes of the above meeting made reference to :-

(a) the cost of registration of Social Workers

(b) the Help at Home Self Assessment process

(c) the background to the change of Agency Decision Maker for Rotherham Adoption Agency

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting on decisions made by the Cabinet Member for Social Services held on 17th December, 2004 be received and the content noted.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the above meeting be received and the content noted.

Consideration was given to the Work Programme for 2004/05 which set out the various topics and the timetable for them.

The Work Programme also included a list of outstanding issues to be scheduled and reviews for the current municipal year.

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

Resolved:- (1) That the minutes of the above meeting be received and agreed.

(2) That the progress position on the Best Value Review of Community Based Services be reported to the next meeting of the Performance and Scrutiny Overview Committee.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings of the above Committee held on the dates indicated be received.

Councillor Jackson informed members of the past year’s activities of Rotherham Holiday Aid, which was a scheme to provide holidays for children of disadvantaged families.

Councillor Jackson outlined the benefits of the scheme, the amount of money collected and how it was funded overall.

The number of families which had benefited in the past year was reported.

Resolved:- That Councillor Jackson be thanked for his update on Rotherham Holiday Aid.