Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2008 were approved as a correct record.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the Review of Guardianship meeting held on 12 June 2008 be noted.

Shona McFarlane, Director of Health and Wellbeing, presented the submitted report which provided an update on the implementation of the Transport Scrutiny Action Plan.

The Scrutiny Review was initiated by the Performance and Overview Scrutiny Committee in October 2005 following the Older People’s Conference. A range of issues were raised but the review group decided to focus on transport for vulnerable adults provided by the Council and contracted companies and also to look at transport for children within its remit.

It aimed to examine the current situation regarding transportation of vulnerable people by RMBC and to identify any potential areas for improvement.  A desk top review was undertaken which included interviews with Council staff, consultation with voluntary organisations and day services and also collated good practice from other local authorities.

The review group found that service users across Adult Social Services (as it was then) and Children and Young People’s services were generally satisfied and pleased with the quality of service, with only specific isolated areas identified for improvement.

An outline of the key areas of recommendation together with action that had been taken against them was appended to the report.  Work was still underway to identify areas of improvement, and Internal Audit were undertaking a review of the resources and facilities that were currently allocated within NAs and CTU for the purposes of transport, to identify whether any further economies of scale could be created through further integration.  A review of depots was underway, which could also add further efficiencies within the overall transport budget.

The outcome of the review had been an improvement in quality of service through:

• An improvement in the type and level of training that was offered to all staff
• Improvements in the quality assurance systems that were in place
• Improvements to the procedures implemented by transport staff, ensuring that vulnerable people were transported safely.

One area of the review which had not yet been resolved was the commissioning of all transport through the CTU contract with Translinc.  It was intended to review transport services internally, once the Internal Audit review of resources were concluded, and once service changes that were currently being examined were resolved.

Resolved:- That the actions undertaken to progress the Scrutiny review be noted.

Consideration was given to a report which confirmed the opening of offers/tenders by the Cabinet Member, Adult Social Care and Health on 19 May 2008, relating to Framework Agreement 1.

Resolved:- That the action of the Cabinet Member be recored.

Members considered two petitions in relation to the Council’s decision to privatise 65% of its Home Care Service.  The first was from Unison and contained 2382 signatures and the second from local residents which contained 89 signatures.

Resolved:- (1) That the petitions be received

(2) That they be referred to the Director of Service for investigation.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (financial/business affairs).

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

Shona McFarlane, Director of Health and Wellbeing presented the submitted report in relation to the closure of Laudsdale Home.

The current permanent occupancy at Laudsdale was 13 service users and had been for the past 6 months.  The unit was closed to new admissions following allegations which were made in October 2007 and it had not provided short stay or respite for the past 6 months.

As there were vacancies in other council run homes, which would be sufficient for the relocation of the Laudsdale residents prior to the opening of the new homes, the decision had been made to close Laudsdale in the next 2-6 weeks.  Discussion had taken place with the trades unions, staff and residents and most were in favour of the decision.

Concerns were raised about the number of places available, and whether at some point this would be insufficient.  It was confirmed that a review of all residents would be undertaken prior to moving them, which would more than likely show that there were some residents who would require EMI care and others who would need to move to nursing homes.

Resolved:- (1) That following completion and outcome of the Investigation that the home be closed earlier than provisionally planned

(2) That the closure of Laudsdale within the next 2 months be approved and the residential home be decommissioned

(3) That day services be transferred to alternative locations.

Ian Smith, Director of Asset Management presented the submitted report which briefed members on the projected additional costs for provision of the 2 new care homes at Dinnington and Rawmarsh.

There were a number of previously unforeseen cost pressures which had developed indicating that the final cost would exceed the amounts approved in 2007.  These pressures were related to:

• Delays and associated additional costs
• Sprinklers and Smoke Vents
• Drainage and Storm Water Attenuation
• ‘Revolutionary Pods’
• Retaining walls
• Chemical dosing pots
• Natural ventilation and air conditioning
• Utilities
• Building construction items
• Elderly and Mentally Infirm (EMI) provision

The items that had been instructed were essential to provide fully functioning Care Homes compliant with legislation and operating requirements.  Some savings had been made in the design of the landscaping, but as the provision of a suitable outdoor environment was a requirement of the Commission for Social Care (CSCI) this could not be reduced further.

All parties were working to minimise any cost over-run and time delay to completion.

The Director of Asset Management and the Projects and Partnerships Manager would hold direct negotiations with the contractors regarding the delays and additional costs.

Concern was raised about the escalating costs and how much would required to complete the homes. The question was raised as to how so many costs could have occurred since the original estimates were submitted, as it was felt that most of the issues which had been raised should have been picked up at the outset, and included in the initial estimates. 

Resolved:- (1) That the request for additional funding for the completion of the Dinnington and Rawmarsh residential care homes be supported and that a bid be submitted to the Capital Programme

(2) That the Director of Asset Management worked with the contractors concerned to reduce the out-turn costs as far as practicable.

Resolved:- That the next meeting be held on Monday 7 July 2008 commencing at 10.00 am.