Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Linda Leach

There were no declarations of interest received for this meeting.

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2015 be approvedas a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to an amendment to minute 5 relating to Wolverhampton Citizens Advice Bureau to take account that:

Cllr Stephen Simkins expressed concerns that any policy changes or further austerity measures can increase in homelessness, numbers of looked after children and other financial strains which over time may impact on the mental health of residents and trigger an increase in demand for advice and support in the City.

There were no matters arising.

[To pass the following resolution:

That in accordance with Section100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information on the grounds shown below.]

Resolved:

That in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information falling within the paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Act set out below:]

Item No.         Title Applicable                                                          Paragraph

6                      In House Services – Adult Social Care                           1

[To carry out pre-decision scrutiny of the Cabinet report relating to In House Services – Adult Social Care]

Anthony Ivko, Service Director Older People and Kathy Roper, Commissioning Disability and Mental Health Team Manager provided a report which both informed the panel of the outcomes of budget consultation on Duke Street residential bungalows and the Community Outreach and Enablement  Services, and enabled the Panel to carry out pre-decision scrutiny of the next phase of the reconfiguration of in-house services with regard to:

·         Learning Disability – Duke Street Residential Bungalows

·         Learning Disability – Community Outreach and Enablement Services

·         Older People – Residential and Domiciliary Reablement

·         Older People – Assistive Technology (Telecare and Carelink)

·         Older People – Ekta

Learning Disability – Duke Street Residential Bungalows:

The Service Director advised that the report seeks permission to continue work started to engage residents of Duke Street and their families and refer back to Cabinet in June for decision. He advised that care would be changing at Duke Street, currently a Council run residential home for 20 adults with profound learning difficulties. The Service Director indicated that with the right support people with severe disability can live independently and recognised best practice supports the supported housing model.

Panel were advised that the consultation with carers had been carried out in a fair way and that Viv Griffin, Service Director Disability and Mental Health and the Team Manager had met with the carers and were continuing dialogue and keeping engaged. 

Councillors indicated that Wolverhampton Homes has demonstrated best practice in a number of fields that were being discussed in relation to supporting independent living. The Team Manager indicated that a tenancy was more secure for the resident than a place in a residential care home.  Councillors felt that there was a need for a mindset change, engagement with families and growing confidence with the employees.

Comments of the panel to refer to the Cabinet Member for Adults Services:

·                     Need to be clearer about what the difference would be for the tenants

·                     Why an RSL, why not Wolverhampton Homes?

·                     Support for the principle of promoting independence.

·                     Emphasised the need to continue to engage with the families of residents, acknowledging that the proposals for change will inevitably cause concern and worry.

·                     A comment, why externalise?  Options should also consider the benefit of continuing in house provision.

Learning Disability – Community Outreach and Enablement Services

The Team Leader provided a brief summary of the outcome of consultation relating to Community outreach and enablement services. The service has provided care services for people with a learning disability living in their own homes for a number of years.

The consultation considered future options including:

·         Whether to run the service thorough in house provider

·         Externalise to a single provider

·         The service to be delivered externally

Councillors questioned whether the service could be developed in house and the council tender for the services. The Panel agreed that there is a need to have accountability and to be compliant; they identified the need to evaluate the associated risks.

Comments of the panel to refer to the Cabinet Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.