Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 3rd November 2008 be approved as a correct record.

- 18^th November, 2008

Resolved:- That approval be given for Councillor P Russell to attend the Learning Disability Partnership Board – “Beyond the Board Room – Inclusion North Event” on 18th November 2008.

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

Actual expenditure to mid September 2008 was £6.9m against an approved programme of £9.8m.  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 projects within each client group.

Older People

The construction of the two new residential care homes was now completed.  The timetable for full decommissioning of existing homes into the two new homes was expected to be completed by the end of December.  EDS were project managing the scheme and were forecasting an overall overspend on the project.  A report on the forecasted overspend on the project was discussed at the Regeneration and Asset Board on 22 October and a revision to the Capital Programme of £1.97m was agreed.  This was approved at the Cabinet meeting on 29 October 2008.

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 2007/8 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 and would be fully spent in 2008/09.

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, was now complete.  There had been delays at the start of the refurbishment of the REACH Day centre due to insufficient funding.  Funding had now been identified and the project was due to be completed by March 2009.

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 for 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 also being considered to reduce the current pressures on the revenue budgets.  Further options were also being considered to provide more intensive supported living schemes with a range of providers.

Management Information

The final year of the specific capital grant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

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 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

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.

Kirsty Everson, Director of Independent Living presented the submitted report which provided proposals to develop Rothercare to address outstanding issues with the service and to expand its remit.  Specific recommendations were being made that related to the access and charging arrangements for the service for RMBC tenants in aged persons and sheltered housing.  The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods noted the findings of a recent business process re-engineering exercise for Rothercare.

Resolved:- (1) That with effect from 1 December 2008, all applicants bidding for RMBC’s aged persons or sheltered accommodation would need to be assessed as needing the design features of the accommodation and support services available before an offer would be made.  The properties where these criteria would apply would be stated as part of the Local Lettings Policy in the Housing Allocation Policy.

(2)  That from 6 April 2009, a new Rothercare Direct service would be launched providing a single customer access point for a range of services across NAS.  In line with the launch, any existing RMBC tenant (pre 1.12.08) who wished to “opt out” of the Rothercare service would be able to apply to do so from this point onwards

(3)  That a further report with proposals for reconfiguring the responsive elements of the Rothercare service from 1 April 2009 onwards, in line with other service developments across NAS, should be prepared and presented to both the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods.

Resolved:- That the next meeting be held on Monday 1st December 2008 commencing at 10.00 am.