Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care held on 20^th July, 2009 and 3^rd August, 2009

Those present discussed the following:-

-                      Neighbourhood Centres Review

-                      Laundry Service

-                      Meals on Wheels:- noting the need to monitor service provision and quality of meals

-                      Carers’ Centre

Resolved:- That the minutes of meetings held on 20^th July and 3^rd August, 2009, be approved as a correct record, and the information arising from the discussed items be noted.

Mark Scarrott, Finance Manager (Adult Services) 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 2010 based on actual income and expenditure to the end of July 2009. Additional information and clarification was given by the Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods and Adult Services.

It was explained that the approved net revenue budget for Adult Services for 2009/10 was £72.9m which included additional funding for demographic and a number of budget pressures which existed in 2008/09, together with a number of new investments and efficiency savings identified through the 2009/10 budget setting process.

It was reported that the latest budget monitoring report showed underlying pressures of £1.1m.  However assuming the achievement of management actions it was forecast that most of these pressures would be mitigated and there would be an overspend of £128k by the end of the financial year.

The following underlying budget pressures were highlighted:-

-                      Home Care:-  due to delays in shifting the balance of provision to the independent sector.

-                      a significant increase in clients receiving a Direct Payment within Physical and Sensory Disabilities and Older Peoples Services.

-                      additional one-off expenditure being incurred in respect of the costs of boarding up, removal of utilities and security costs at the former residential care homes prior to them transferring to the Council’s property bank. 

-                      other budget pressures due to delays in the implementation of budget savings agreed as part of the budget setting process for 2009/10 in respect of meals on wheels, laundry and the bathing service.

Reference was made to measures taken to reduce these pressures, and these were detailed in the submitted report.

It was also reported that the Directorate was currently finalising a list of proposed management actions to mitigate the outlined budget pressures.  These proposals would be subject to a separate report (refer to Minute No.     36 below).

Those present discussed:-

-                      Savings within independent residential care

-                      shifting the balance of home care from in-house provision to the independent sector

-                      Staffing issues and continued involvement of the trades unions

-                      Direct payments:  the need for assessment and care package

-                      Placements within Learning Disability Services

-                      Length of time taken to transfer properties to the property bank and associated security costs falling on the Directorate

Resolved:-  (1)  That the latest financial projection against budget for the year based on actual income and expenditure to the end of July 2009 for Adult Services be noted.

(2)  That further information be provided in respect of the transfer of the former residential homes properties to the property bank and identifying the security costs falling to the Directorate.

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

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in those paragraphs indicated below of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council)).

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Strategic Director of Neighbourhood and Adult Services, which set out the budget position for Adult Social Care as at the 31^st August 2009 and outlined the actions identified to address the projected overspend.

It was explained that the majority of the overspend was attributable to on-going difficulties associated with shifting the balance of care to the independent sector and delays in decommissioning services.

The action plan and measures within it had been identified following a series of financial performance clinics.

The Appendix to the report detailed each of the proposed actions.

Those present raised and discussed the following:-

-                      Operation of the 2 new local authority residential homes

-                      Use of capacity for residential short stay placements

-                      Rothwell Grange

-                      Home from Home Assessments – quality assurance programme

-                      The Government’s national agenda and the local Health Authority’s future plans

-                      Spot purchase of intermediate care beds

-                      Listerdale

The Strategic Director also outlined further areas being examined in order to achieve long term savings.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and the proposed actions to address the budget pressures, as detailed in the Appendix to the report now submitted, be agreed.

(2)  That the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care continues to receive updates on the progress of the implementation of the actions.

(3)  That the Strategic Director provides members with further information for clarification in respect of the issues raised above.

(4)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting setting out measures to achieve longer terms savings.

(Exempt under Paragraph 3 of the Act – information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Council).

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual).

Consideration was given to a report in respect of the decision and recommendations made by the Adult Social Services (Complaints) Review Panel for Mr S, which was held on 25^th August, 2009.

The Safeguarding Adults Manager provided further information in respect of each of the points set out in the Action Plan which accompanied the report.

Resolved:- That the decisions of the Complaints Panel and the reasons for the decisions, outlined in the letter of response dated 28^th August 2009 to the complainant be received.

(Exempt under Paragraph 2 of the Act – information which is likely to reveal the identity of individuals)