Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2008 were approved as a correct record, subject to the inclusion of Councillor Jack’s apologies.

Steve Turnbull, Head of Public Health submitted a report and gave a presentation, in relation to the Healthy Communities Challenge Fund.

The Healthy Communities Challenge Fund enabled every town in England to bid for up to £5 million revenue funding (over 3 years) to make their inhabitants more healthy and active. 

The initiative was outlined in the ‘Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives’ government strategy on obesity.  The broad aim of the initiative was to support local areas to develop and test innovative approaches to promote healthy food choices and increased physical activity within their communities.  The focus was very much on prevention of overweight and obesity.

Bids had to meet the following criteria:

• Bids must be joint bids between local authorities and PCTs
• Local areas would be required to at least match the grant from the programme
• Match funding can be revenue, capital or both but should not be from other Government ring fenced grants
• Evidence of a commitment to creating a healthy town
• Senior level commitment across the PCT and Local Authority (political and officer) with a proven record of partnership working.  Endorsement of other partners is welcomed
• Clear demonstration of the links between obesity and other policy priorities

The selection process was a two stage process

• First Stage – Expression of Interest
• Second Stage – Full Bids

The Head of Public Health, RMBC would co-ordinate the submission of the bid supported by officers from the PCT and RMBC Chief Executives.

The first stage deadline was tight which precluded the formation of a formal group to steer the bid.  However, it was necessary to involve a wide range of officers, members and partners and it was intended to have a series of one to one and small group discussions on aspects of the bid.

Early discussions had been held and a wide range of ideas had been floated.  The guidance clearly pointed the way for innovative and radical suggestions to help build the evidence base for future initiatives.  There was a need to ensure that the application was focused and targeted specifically on maintaining and reducing rates of obesity in the population.  In addition the council needed to be mindful of existing actions and whatever was put forward would need to build on what was already in place.

Early thinking suggested that there were at least two ongoing initiatives which both demonstrated our intent and commitment and ability to be bold and innovative.  These initiatives were:

• Rotherham Renaissance
• Ministry of Food

There were other ideas that had been raised which would need to be considered:

-          Air quality improvements and link to smoking and physical activity

-          Promotion and provision of alternative forms of physical activity, eg green spaces, walking, dance, play including older people, street sports

-          Prevention Plus – a targeted approach to identifying and supporting people and families who are at risk

Other dimensions which would need to be covered in the bid, eg ensuring the Council tackle not contribute to health inequalities and equalities and diversity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Mark Scarrott, Service Accountant presented the submitted report which provided a financial forecast for the Adult Services Department within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate to the end of March 2009 based on actual income and expenditure to the end of May 2008.

The approved net revenue budget for Adult Services for 2008/09 was £68.5m.  This included the funding for demographic and existing budget pressures together with a number of efficiency savings identified though the 2008/09 budget setting process.  Based on current forecasts there remained a number of underlying pressures, mainly around increased expenditure on Direct Payments.

The first budget monitoring report showed a projected overspend of £133,623 to the year end, although this excluded potential management actions still to be identified to mitigate the forecast overspend.  Management actions to minimise this forecast overspend would be identified and quantified and included in the next revenue monitoring report

The latest year end projections showed there were underlying budget pressures on Direct Payments, within Physical and Sensory Disabilities and Mental Health services.  Other projected overspends included additional unforeseen placements in to residential care for clients with Physical and Sensory Disabilities and overspends within Domiciliary Care management and administration teams over and above budget, due to forecast non achievement of vacancy factor and shortfall in budget.  Pressures had also been identified in respect of increased energy costs within residential and day centres.  These pressures were being partially offset by additional income from continuing health care for placements within Learning Disability services.

To mitigate the financial pressures within the service, all vacancies continued to require the approval of the Service Directors.  Budget meetings with Service Directors and Managers had been arranged on a monthly basis to monitor financial performance against approved budget and consider potential options for managing expenditure within budget.

Councillor Gosling expressed his concern that we have been unable to project a balanced budget at this early stage.  Tom Cray commented that this was a small variation against the total budget, budget clinics were being held and officers were working towards restoring a balanced outturn.  At the request of members Mark Scarrott confirmed that it the forecasted overspend represented 0.2% of the total net revenue budget.

Resolved:- That the latest financial projection against budget for the year based on actual income and expenditure to the end of May 2008 for Adult Services be noted.

Tom Cray, Strategic Director for Neighbourhoods and Adult Services presented the submitted report which explained why Direct Payments were leading to extra costs for the Council.

Between 2006/07 and 2008/09 an additional £1.2 m had been invested into discrete Direct Payments budgets, with a further £7.8 m being invested into residential care, home care and supported living including extra care housing.  These investments funded service commitments, service developments and increases in the demand for services.

The Directorate’s continued commitment to in-house, block contracted residential, home care and day care services had restricted the ability to use these budgets flexibly.  However this was being addressed through a more flexible approach to contracting arrangements.

Direct payments were being used as a top up to traditional services due to the lack of ‘alternative options’ that meet the changing needs and aspirations of our customers.  Non-traditional services in house were not currently provided and commissioning of such services was at an early stage.

Consequently Direct Payments were being used to fund the transitional phase of service delivery in all sectors that we were currently in whilst different types of services were commissioned and reconfigured.

Delivering services through Direct Payments was a more cost effective way to support individuals than traditionally contracted services and was keeping the overall budget pressure down.

The delivery of the Commissioning Strategy Action plan over the next three years, transformation of services through social care to the independent sector would enable the Directorate to remove the ‘double funding’ effect. Funding available from these initiatives would be allocated across care budgets to support plans to improve quality and shift resources from current service provision towards personalisation and services that promoted independence.

Members asked how long block contracts had been in force, and how long they had to run.  It was confirmed that all block contracts were being re-negotiated as their expiry date came up, with a view to building in more flexibility.

Resolved:- That the report be received and the contents noted.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006).

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 2 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended.

Shona McFarlane, Director of Health and Wellbeing, presented the submitted report together with the action plan in relation to an update in respect of the Laudsdale Residential Home Investigation. 

Resolved:- (1) That the content of the report be noted

(2) That the action plan be approved and its implementation supported

(3) That the action plan be monitored monthly.

Resolved:- That the next meeting be held on Monday 21 July 2008 commencing at 10.00 am.