To receive a presentation by the Cabinet Member (Social Care and Strategic Housing) informing the Committee of policy issues affecting this programme area and the main priorities.

The Committee received a presentation by Councillor Mrs. L.O. Barnett, Cabinet Member (Social Care and Strategic Housing) on the policy issues affecting this programme area and the main priorities.

The Cabinet Member referred to the SSI and Audit Commission report, which stated that, at the present time, Herefordshire Council Social Care was serving some people well with promising prospects for the future.  She commented that an action plan to improve services had been produced which would be the foundation of change and innovation over the lifetime of the present Council.  The challenge and aims for the Cabinet and the Directorate would be to drive forward change and innovation necessary to serve all vulnerable people well.

The following are the main points of the presentation:

• There seemed to be a lack of understanding regarding the areas covered by Strategic Housing, which needed to be tackled, and she proposed that a seminar for members on this issue be arranged.

• More developments were needed in housing to support improvements in the County. This would be achieved by continuing to work closely with the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and other partners; good budget management and efficiency across the partnership.

• As reported in an earlier item, while there was a budget deficit, the budgets were being managed effectively.  Staff would continue to find new and innovative ways to provide the services within existing resources.

• Budget plans for 2004/05 and onwards indicated a need for more financial investment, particularly for older people.

• A priority must be to reduce the delay in vacating hospital beds and the Council must avoid fines for delays.  She acknowledged that government targets imposed upon the hospitals complicated the issue.  The development of a 22 bed Intermediate Care Centre at Hillside would only address the problem in part.

• A report was expected on the STARRS pilot project based at Leominster Community Hospital.  This would provide an opportunity for joint working with the PCT to support and enhance Community Reablement Services.

• Supported housing, based on the Supporting People Strategy and the SMART House, would be investigated to see whether further technology would assist in keeping more people in their own homes.

• Negotiations with Shaw Homes were progressing.  This would be a ten million pound investment, where five residential homes owned by the Council would be managed by the partner, and monitored by the Council.

• A report was expected to go before Cabinet shortly on the provision of affordable housing.

• The business case for investment in older peoples’ services would be finalised in the autumn of this year.

The Cabinet Member summed up that the main priorities for the programme area were to:

• Continue to work with the Primary Care Trust to reduce the delays in vacating hospital beds;

• Continue significant changes in the delivery of Home Care Services over the next 18 months;

• Ensure continued progress on the Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA) targets relating to older people and homelessness;

• Seek an early decision on “A Care Village” for Hereford City and request policy support on the further development of extra care housing in Herefordshire from the Scrutiny Committee;

• Drive forward the affordable housing agenda with other Cabinet Members;

• Make the case for future investment in older people services; and

• Make sure that the Council’s arrangements to respond to the Green Paper – Every Child Matters - were robust.

The Committee acknowledged the need to look at the bigger picture and to appreciate that change was needed.  They debated a number of issues raised during the presentation including the Fostering and Adoption Service and the potential effects of the Empty Homes Strategy and the Unitary Development Plan on housing provision.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Mrs L.O. Barnett for her presentation.