Agenda and minutes

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th November 2009 be approved as a correct record.

ShivBhurton, Housing Access Manager presented the submitted report which set out the current position with regard to the provision and maintenance of hoists within customers’ homes and the actions taken to improve the process and communications with customers.

The equipment was provided to some of the most vulnerable customers to enable them to remain in their own homes and to improve the quality of their lives.  It was essential that the communication process was improved to ensure that they were fully aware of the timescales and procedures to be followed for servicing and maintenance of equipment.  It was also vital to take control of the process to ensure that customers were kept up to date with information.  As part of the process the Adaptations team have met with the supplier to identify any other customers who may not be covered by an up to date warranty agreement. 

Current maintenance and servicing arrangements were:

(a)        Customers who live in Council properties

·        1 year manufacturer’s warranty followed by lifetime cover provided by KEIRS covered as part of the normal repairs arrangement delivered by the Council housing team

·        Customer contacts Rotherham Connect as they do for any repairs within their property

·        This level of support in the Public sector properties had been in existence for over 5 years

·        Customers undergo a financial assessment to ascertain their contribution to the cost of the equipment.

(b)        Customers who were owner occupiers/private tenants/Housing Associations tenants

• For Hoists delivered to customers prior to 2009, manufacturers (Westholmes) cover – 1 year servicing was arranged by the customer/carer with the manufacturer
• For Hoists delivered to customers during and post 2009, 1 years manufacturers warranty followed by 4 years extended warranty – post 5 years servicing was arranged by the customer/carer with the manufacturer
• Customers undergo a financial assessment to ascertain their contribution to the cost of the equipment.

The extension of the maintenance in owner occupier properties from 1 year to 5 years was a recent innovation for Rotherham and sees as best practice in mitigating risks to customers and compared positively in comparison with other local authorities practice.  No authority had a longer guarantee period.  Customers who lived in council properties enjoyed a full and permanent extension of the warranty.  This was because the adaptation was linked to the property and not the person and may be used in the future to provide support for customers with similar conditions. 

Initial discussions had taken place to review contract arrangements for the provision of hoists and similar equipment.  Changes to contract conditions were now being drafted and a meeting had been set up with Westholmes and Kiers to discuss varying the lifetime of the warranty for the equipment.  The purpose of the meeting was to address the different arrangements that currently existed between the council tenants and the owner occupiers’ experiences.

A joint review, with NHSR, of the Rotherham Equipment and Wheelchair services (REWS) was ongoing and the scope of the review included examination of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

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 (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 Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Shona McFarlane, Director of Health and Wellbeing presented the submitted report which set out recommendations for short term/interim solutions to reduce the projected overspend of the Sheltered Housing Warden Service.  A meeting had previously been held with both the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods on 29^th July, 2009 when plans to merge the Warden and Enabling Care Services had been presented.  Members had agreed in principle to the future direction of travel being to integrate the Sheltered Housing Warden role and the Care Enabler Role.  It was confirmed that any proposals would not be completed in the current financial year.

Recommended:- That the information provided and noted by the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, will be considered by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods and received for further consideration.

Doug Parkes, Business and Finance Manager presented the submitted report which set out the Directorates current charges benchmarked against local neighbours and members of a Chartered Institute of Professional Accountants (CIPFA) benchmarking group.

It also set out potential charging options for consideration which would contribute to achieving the Directorates 2010/11 budget setting savings target of £4.9m. 

An extensive, 6 month consultation exercise would be required in year one.  If a decision was delayed to March 2010 then the savings in 2010 would be halved.

Resolved:- (1) That the charging proposals be considered.

(2) That the timeline for implementation of any changes be considered.

(3) That, subject to further discussions on financial impacts of these proposals, Members agree to the commencement of consultation on these proposals.

(4)  That the other revised charges set out in Paragraph 7.10 of the report be agreed and implemented with effect from Monday 5^th April 2010.