Health and Social Care Committee

Tuesday 16 March 2004 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors McKenzie, Nimmo, Robertson, Snoddy and Stewart.

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Director of Corporate Services, Ms L Brabender (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Social Work Services and Head of Property Services.

Apologies:  Councillors Forbes, Gallacher, Mitchell and Moran.

The following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

203

Integration of Services for People with Physical and Sensory Impairments and Relocation of the Service at Glenburn Resource Centre to 10-16 Gibshill Road, Greenock

203

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) on the current position concerning services to people with physical and sensory impairments, (2) advising of proposals which are being progressed in order to ensure that the Council is able to meet the requirements arising from national policies and directives and (3) outlining arrangements for the relocation of the service at Glenburn Resource Centre to 10-16 Gibshill Road and the opportunities for service development arising from this.

Decided:

(1)        that the report be noted;

(2)        that the recommendation to redesignate the service at 10-16 Gibshill Road as “The Centre for Independent Living, Inverclyde” be endorsed;

(3)        that the opportunity to produce an integrated service model for people with physical and sensory impairments through the development of community health partnerships be noted; and

(4)        that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work Services to make arrangements for a formal opening of the new facility at 10-16 Gibshill Road.

   204

Care and Support at Home Charging Policy

204

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services advising of proposed amendments to the Council’s Care and Support at Home Charging Policy which take effect from 5 April 2004.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the amendments to the Care and Support at Home Charging Policy detailed in the report which take effect from 5 April 2004.

   205

Consultation on Reducing Offending in Scotland

205

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services (1) advising of the launch of the Scottish Executive Consultation Programme in respect of the Criminal Justice System in Scotland and (2) requesting the Committee to agree the format through which the Council will be able properly to engage in the process.

Decided:

(1)        that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work Services to prepare a response on behalf of the Council to the consultation document issued by the Scottish Executive and that this include the views of Elected Members;

(2)        that it be remitted to the Council representatives on the Criminal Justice Grouping, Advisory Group to engage in the active consultation meeting; and

(3)        that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work Services to liaise with the Community Safety Partnership Group, if identified to take the lead in the meetings with other consultees, with a view to ensuring a consistent response by the Council.

   206

Throughcare and Aftercare of Young People

206

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services providing further information on the implementation of the new statutory responsibilities placed on the Council in respect of certain 16 to 18 year olds who were previously looked after and accommodated to ensure that they are provided with the necessary support.

Decided:

(1)        that the response made by the Council to the additional legislative requirements as detailed in the report be noted and that the proposed maintenance levels be approved; and

(2)        that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work Services to review the staffing requirements resulting from implementation of the proposals.

   207

Revised Maintenance Rates

207

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services requesting the Committee to approve maintenance rates which reflect the weekly cost per person for permanent residents in registered residential establishments located outwith Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)        that the Committee note the establishments where persons from Inverclyde reside as appropriate; and

(2)        that the recommended rates be approved in order that the Director of Social Work Services may make appropriate payments in the event of residential placements being made.

   208

Authorised Providers List for Social Care Services

208

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services advising of the deletion on 1 March 2004 of Inverkip House Care Home from the Authorised Providers List in terms of Rule 3 of the Procedure for Procurement of Social Care Services.

Decided:  that the deletion of Inverkip House Care Home from the  List of Authorised Providers for Social Care Services be endorsed.

   209

Social Work and Other Housing Revenue Budget 2003/04 - Period 11

209

There was submitted a report dated 5 March 2004 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) on the position of the 2003/04 Revenue Budget as at Period 11 (29 February 2004) and (2) advising of a projected overspend of £152,000.

Decided:  that the current projected overspend of £152,000 in the Social Work and Other Housing Revenue Budget 2003/04 be noted.

   210

Social Work Capital Programme 2003/04 - Technical Progress

210

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services on the technical progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 2003/04.

Noted

   211

Social Work Services Inspectorate - Arrangements for Annual Report 2004

211

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services advising of arrangements made by the Council relative to the 2004 Annual Report by the Social Work Services Inspectorate.

Noted

   212

Workforce Issues

212

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services providing an update on progress made in the recruitment of social care workers in Scotland.

Noted

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider proposed changes to the configuration of Information, Welfare Rights and Money Advice Services at the earliest opportunity.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

   213

Integration of Money Advice Service/Welfare Rights Service

213

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work Services on proposed changes to the configuration of Information, Welfare Rights and Money Advice Services following decisions made by the Council at the conclusion of the Revenue Budget process for 2004/05.

Decided:

(1)        that the report be noted;

(2)        that the Committee approve the proposed changes to the configuration of Information, Welfare Rights and Money Advice Services as detailed in the report;  and

(3)        that a report be submitted to the Committee on the new arrangements after a one year period of operation.

It was agreed in terms of Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as amended, that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

   214

Workforce Issues - Appendix

214

There was submitted Appendix relative to Item 10 (Workforce Issues) providing information on qualifications achieved by staff in 2002/03.

Noted