To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Ms G.A. Powell.

To receive details of any Member nominated to attend the meeting in place of a Member of the Committee

There were no named substitutes.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on this Agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 27th January, 2004.

RESOLVED:   That the Minutes of the meeting held on 27th January, 2004 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To note amended development priorities for the Supporting People programme and associated issues.

The Committee was informed of amended development priorities for the Supporting People Programme and associated issues.

In January 2004 the Committee had been informed of the Audit Commission’s inspection of the Supporting People Programme in Herefordshire.   One of the Commission’s findings had been that the Council had identified too many priorities for the Programme.  The Committee had requested a report on this aspect and user feedback.

The report set out amended development priorities for the Programme, the Programme’s financial situation and processes in place to give feedback to service users and service providers.

In presenting the report the Housing Strategy Manager drew attention to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister’s adoption of the findings of an independent review of the national Programme.  One of these findings was that the programme was over-funded due mainly to Local Authorities using the grant to fund non-eligible care services.  The review had found that this had happened in only a few authorities, Herefordshire Council not being one of them.  However, the ODPM had indicated that all local authorities could expect an adjustment in funding in 2005/2006.  This was in addition to the reduction in funding for 2004/2005 of 2.5 % and no uplift for inflation (a £562,000 reduction for the Council in 2004/2005).

Representations had been made on behalf of the Council but it was estimated that the Council could expect to receive £6.9 million in 2005/2006 against an allocation which might otherwise have been expected to be £7.5 million.

The report explained the basis on which revised aims for the programme had been set, placing them into three categories: High (statutory obligations), Medium (highly desirable ambitions determined locally), and Low (actions which the Council would want to take but might not achieve because of the focus on the higher priorities).  Referring again to the uncertainties over the financial position of the programme the Housing Strategy Manager advised that the High and Medium aims could be met, as could the savings targets outlined in the report, and that the Programme was robust.

In the course of discussion the following principal points were made:

·         The clarity of the report was welcomed.

·         In response to a question the Housing Strategy Manager commented that whilst, given the funding constraints, it would not be possible to realise all the objectives the Programme would make a significant contribution, freeing up resources for other services.

·         The proposal to deliver a pilot housing related support scheme for people having early signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease was explained.

·         The negotiations taking place with the numerous providers involved regarding the possible capping of hourly rates for housing related support and limiting the amount of care to a maximum of ten hours per person per week and the reasoning behind those discussions were noted.  It was acknowledged that some people were currently receiving more than ten hours support.  Current levels of support would be maintained until reviews had been completed.  At that stage consideration would need to be given by the Supporting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

To note progress on the consultation process and development of the Action Plan for the Best value Review.

The Committee noted progress on the consultation process and development of the action plan for the Best Value Review of Herefordshire Adoption and Fostering Services.

It was reported that the timetable for the Best Value Review had been modified to take account of the requirement to produce an action plan in response to the inspection of the Fostering Service by the National Care Standards Commission.  The inspection report was expected in April and the action plan would then be prepared and discussed with the Best Value Review team.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To outline progress to date on the Best Value Review of Social Care Services for people who have a physical disability.

The Committee received a report outlining progress to date on the Best Value Review of Social Care Services for people with a physical disability.

The detailed stage one report had been enclosed separately for Members of the Committee.

In the course of discussion it was requested that a briefing note on transport provision for service users should be circulated. 

RESOLVED:            That progress to date be noted and a briefing note circulated on                         transport provision for service users.

To report on the budget monitoring and performance indicators position for Social Care and Strategic Housing for the first ten months of the financial year 2003/04.

The Committee was informed of the position on budget monitoring and performance indicators for Social Care and Strategic Housing for the first ten months of the financial year 2003/2004.

The Head of Business Services reported that, as she had previously advised the Committee, the childrens’ agency placement budget was particularly under pressure and since the last report 6 new placements had been necessary.  However, if it did not prove possible to balance the Social Care budget she expected that no more that 1% would be carried forward as an overspend.

The Director of Social Care and Strategic Housing commented that the Directorate as a whole had worked hard to balance the budget but reiterated that there had been some adverse effects on services.  The approach had, however, helped in presenting the Older Peoples Business case.

The Head of Social Care (Adults) commented that services to older people had perhaps been most affected. There was a need to speed up the modernisation of these services.  This would, however, be likely to entail some instability in the short term.

In relation to performance monitoring it was noted that some factors were outside the Council’s control.  It was also the case that improvement against some indicators was almost wholly dependent on the availability of resources.

RESOLVED:   That the budget monitoring and performance monitoring report for the first ten months of the financial year be noted.

To consider issues for inclusion in the Work Programme.

The Committee considered issues for inclusion in its work programme following a scoping day to identify topics for in-depth review in respect of services for older people, childrens services, and Mental Health.

The provision of home care and supported housing for vulnerable people had been identified as preferred areas for review.  An aspect of Children’s Services had also been identified.  However, given the provisions in the Children’s Services Bill it was suggested that this work should not proceed at the moment and Members of the Children’s Services Task Group invited instead to participate in the work of either of the other Task Groups.

RESOLVED:

That       (a) scoping studies be prepared for the investigations into the provision of home care and supported housing for people with mental health problems and reported back to the Committee for approval;

                        (b) that the investigation into joint working in delivering Children’s services be deferred pending enactment of the Children’s Services Bill and receipt of relevant guidance;

                        (c) Members of the Childrens Services Task Group be invited to participate in the work of either of the other Task Groups, and the arrangements for the involvement of the voluntary sector and others be noted;

                        and

                        (d) the work programme as appended to the report be approved subject to review at the next meeting.