Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27^th June, 2011.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27^th June, 2011, be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Finance Manager (Adult Services), which provided a financial forecast for the Adult Services Department within the Neighbourhoods and Adult Services Directorate to the end of March, 2012 based on actual income and expenditure to the end of May, 2011. 

It was reported that the forecast for the financial year 2011/12 was a balanced budget against an approved net revenue budget of £77.6M.

It was explained that there were a number of underlying budget pressures which were at present being offset by a number of forecast underspends:-

The underlying budget pressures included:

·        an overall forecast overspend within Older Peoples’ Home Care Service mainly due to increased demand for maintenance care within the independent sector

·        pressure on independent home care within Physical and Sensory Disability Services due to continued increase in demand

·        shortfall in respect of income from charges within in-house residential care

·        additional employee costs to cover vacancies and sickness within older people inhouse residential care

·        an overall forecast overspend on Direct Payments mainly within Mental Health and Physical and Sensory Disability Services

·        recurrent budget pressure on Learning Disabilities Day Care transport including income from charges

These pressures had been offset by the following forecast underspends:-

• Forecast net underspend on Older People independent sector residential and nursing care due to an increase in the average client contribution, additional continuing health care funding and  income from property charges.
• Underspend on employee costs within Transport Unit plus  additional income from contracts.
• Forecast underspend within Learning Disabilities residential and nursing care due to slippage on transitions from Children’s Services.
• Additional Continuing Health Care Income plus a underspend on  Supported Living Schemes within Physical and Sensory Disabilities.
• One off slippage on vacant posts as part of restructure/reviews and voluntary early retirements.
• Additional income from health and reduction in care packages after reviews within supported living.
• Underspend on Rothercare Direct due to a reduction in leasing costs.

Total expenditure on Agency staff for Adult Services so far was £40,057 compared with an actual cost of £59,042 for the same period last year.  The main costs were in respect of residential care and assessment and care management staff to cover vacancies and sickness.  There had been no expenditure on consultancy to date.

Resolved:- That the latest financial projection against budget for the year based on actual income and expenditure to the end of May, 2011 for Adult Services be noted.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to any consultations or negotiations).

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 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006) (information relating to any consultations/negotiations).

The Chrissy Wright, Strategic Commissioning Manager, reported on the findings of the strategic review of the Integrated Community Equipment Service (ICES); ICES was jointly commissioned by the Council and NHSR via a pooled budget under Section 75 of the Health Act (2006).

The review considered the future strategic relevance of the ICES and performance against the current contract.  Review recommendations supported the modernisation and reconfiguration of the Service to meet the prevention and personalisation agenda, achieve efficiencies, Value for Money and to effectively meet increasing demand and emerging need.

The new contract commenced in April, 2011, in line with the national Transforming Communities action plan when the Service transferred to the Rotherham Foundation Trust.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the responsibility for procurement/storage and administration of Minor Fixings Equipment through the ICES be discontinued and recommissioned separately to integrate with the fitting element of minor fixing equipment funded through a top slice of the current running costs.

(2)  That the review recommendations with regard to Service delivery be deferred pending the submission the outcome of the Equalities Impact Assessment.

(3)  That the suite of Performance Indicators, as set out in the report, be included in the contract specification and performance managed within a governance and contract management arrangement.

(4)  That the Service implement a ‘single point of access’ for practitioners via an on-line web enabled referral system.

(5)  That the reviews and follow-up contracts be implemented and prioritise reviews of high cost loan equipment.

(6)  (a)  That a balanced scorecard of Indicators be developed and performance managed to achieve efficiencies, improve Value for Money, reviews, recycling of high cost equipment and referral performance.

(b)  That contract management arrangements be implemented via a commissioner-led governance group.

Resolved:-  That the following Champion appointments be approved:-

Carers                                                 Councillor R. Russell

Learning and Physical Disabilities      Councillor P. A. Russell

Older People                                       Councillor Walker

Mental Health                                     Councillor Pitchley

Safeguarding                                       Councillor P. A. Russell