Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2008 be approved as a correct record.

Revenue Budget Monitoring 2008/09

Reference was made to the analysis of the position in relation to direct payments and a request was made that a regular update report be brought to every meeting.

Mark Scarrott, Service Accountant (Adult Services) presented the submitted report which informed members of the anticipated outturn against the approved Adult Services capital programme for the 2008/09 financial year.

The report provided detail of the approved capital programme for the Adult Services department of the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate, actual expenditure for the period April to 15 September 2008 and the projected final outturn position for each scheme.

Actual expenditure to mid September 2008 was £6.1m against an approved programme of £7.8m.  The approved schemes were funded from a variety of different funding sources including, unsupported borrowing, allocations from the capital receipts, supported capital expenditure and specific capital grant funding.

The report provided a brief summary of the latest position on the main projects within each client.

Older People

The construction of the two new residential homes was estimated to be completed by mid-October with full decommissioning of existing homes by the end of December.  EDS were project managing the scheme and had forecast an overall overspend on the project.  A report was submitted to the Corporate Management Team on 8 September requesting additional funding for completion of both homes and support was given for the proposed funding options.  The report was now going to the Regeneration and Asset Board on 22 October and then to Cabinet for a final decision.

The Assistive Technology Grant (which included funding from NHS Rotherham) was being managed jointly and was being used to purchase Telehealth and Telecare equipment to enable people to live in their own homes.  The recent appointment of a project manager had resulted in a review being carried out together with NHS Rotherham and an agreement in principle that the funding would be used to procure lifeline connect alarms, low temperature sensors and fall detectors in peoples homes.

A small element of the Department of Health specific grant (£20k) issued in 2007/08 to improve the environment within residential care provision was carried forward into 2008/09.  The balance of grant was to be allocated mainly across the independent residential care sector in accordance with the grant conditions.

Learning Disabilities

The small balances of funding carried forward from 2007/08 were to be used for the equipment for Parkhill Lodge and within supported living schemes.

The refurbishment at Addison Day Centre, funded from the Council’s Strategic Maintenance Investment fund was now complete.  There had been delays at the start of the refurbishment of the REACH Day centre due to insufficient funding.  Further funding options were being explored together with a review of the contract specification.

Mental Health

A small balance remained on the Cedar House capital budget and would be used for the purchase of additional equipment.  A large proportion of the Supported Capital Expenditure (SCE) allocation had been carried forward from previous years due to difficulties in finding suitable accommodation fro the development of supported living schemes.  Suitable properties were being identified and spending plans were being developed.  The possibility of funding equipment purchased for direct payments was being considered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

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 in relation to modernising Lunch Clubs.

The report demonstrated how a previously overspending service had been reviewed, and now provided the potential to develop further as a no-cost, inclusive, sustainable and community based model which could be used proactively across the borough.  The new model could be seen as a small but potentially significant contribution to the emerging approach to prevention and had the potential to be delivered by staff based in the community across the borough, to reduce social isolation and provide support to older people in the community.

Resolved:- (1) That the successful outcome of the review be noted.

(2) That approval be given to the further use of this option across the Directorate.

Resolved:- That the next meeting be held on Monday 3 November 2008 commencing at 10.00 am.