Health and Social Care Committee

Tuesday 18 January 2005 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Forbes, Hill, McKenzie, Moran, Nimmo, Robertson and Snoddy.

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Mr F Jarvie (for Head of Legal Services), Mr J Aird (for Head of Finance Services), Head of Property Services, Head of Social Work Services and Head of Community Care & Strategic Planning.

Apologies:  Councillor Gallacher.

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

38

Revenue Budget 2004/05 - Period 8

38

There was submitted a report dated 10 January 2005 by the Director of Corporate Services (1) on the position of the Social Work Revenue Budget 2004/05 as at Period 8 (30 November 2004) and (2) advising of a projected underspend of £60,000.

Arising from discussion regarding the proposed closure of the Devol Centre, the Chief Executive advised the Committee that the project specification for the adaptations at Boglestone Library had been reviewed and that this project would be progressed and funded in terms of the authority previously granted.

Decided:

(1)      that the current budget monitoring position for 2004/05 as at Period 8 be noted;

(2)      that the virement request as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report be approved;

(3)      that the position in respect of the proposed adaptation of Boglestone Library be noted;  and

(4)      that in future, revenue monitoring reports include a comparison with the projection submitted to the previous meeting of the Committee.

39

Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07

39

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on the progress of the Social Work Capital Programme 2004/05 to 2006/07.

Noted

40

Revised Maintenance Rates

40

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive 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 detailed in the appendix to the report;  and

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

41

Revised Maintenance Rates:  Quarriers

41

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval of maintenance rates which reflect the weekly cost per person for permanent and respite placements in registered residential establishments managed by Quarriers.

Decided:

(1)      that the recommended rates be approved in order that the Head of Social Work Services may make the appropriate payments from 1 April 2004;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Head of Community Care & Strategic Planning to submit a report on the future reprovisioning of the Bank Street establishment once the current review undertaken in conjunction with Quarriers has been completed.

42

Modernising Day Services

42

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive providing an update on the modernisation, redesign and development of day services and day opportunities for people with learning disabilities in Inverclyde.

Decided:  that the Committee note the ongoing work in relation to the modernisation of day services.

43

Day Service Managers - Parity of Salary

43

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval of a revised management structure within Learning Disability Day Services in order to achieve a more flexible management approach to support the redesign of day services.

Decided:

(1)      that it be remitted to the Head of Personnel Services to progress the revised management arrangements through the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee; 

(2)      that subject to approval by the Best Value & Corporate Services Committee, agreement be given to implement the revised management structure within Learning Disability Day Services;  and

(3)      that further consideration be given to the title of Day Service Manager in conjunction with Personnel Services and that the name be changed if considered appropriate.

44

Inspection of Services to Protect Children

44

There was submitted a report by the Director of Education Services and Head of Social Work Services (1) on the establishment of a multi-disciplinary inspection team in the Services for Children’s Unit of the Scottish Executive, (2) outlining the purposes and principles of the forthcoming inspection of Children’s Services and (3) explaining the implications for the authority and its partner agencies.

Noted

45

Partnership in Practice Agreement

45

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive advising of the production of a second Inverclyde Partnership in Practice document (2004 - 2007) and the consultation process to be undertaken prior to preparation of the final version of the document.

Decided:

(1)      that a further report be submitted to the Committee seeking approval of the final Partnership in Practice Agreement document;  and

(2)      that it be noted that comments on the draft document should be submitted to the Head of Community Care & Strategic Planning as part of the consultation process.

46

Community Health Partnerships - Scheme of Establishment

46

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) providing details of the Scheme of Establishment for Community Health Partnerships and (2) explaining the implications for Inverclyde Council.

Decided:

(1)      that the report be noted;

(2)      that representations be made to increase the core membership by Inverclyde Council on the Community Health Partnership to include the Convener and Vice-Convener of the Committee, Councillor McKenzie and appropriate officer representation;  and

(3)      that once there is clarity concerning the level of autonomy and delegated powers to the Community Health Partnership within the NHS system and the local authority position within the Partnership, a report be submitted requesting the Committee to consider consolidation of joint management and joint governance arrangements to best accommodate joint working and the development of the Community Health Partnership.

47

Argyll & Clyde Health:  Annual Report of the Director of Public Health 2004

47

There was submitted a report by the Head of Community Care & Strategic Planning (1) on the contents of the annual report of the Director of Public Health 2004 and (2) highlighting the issues affecting Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)      that the contents of the report by the Director of Public Health be noted;  and

(2)      that it be agreed to use the report as a planning baseline for health improvement in Inverclyde.

48

Scotland’s Criminal Justice Plan

48

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) on the Scottish Criminal Justice Plan and (2) requesting that agreement be given to Inverclyde Council’s participation in further consultation on the future reorganisation of Criminal Justice Social Work Services within the new Joint Criminal Justice Authorities which the Scottish Executive intends to establish.

Decided:

(1)      that the contents of Scotland’s Criminal Justice Plan be noted;

(2)      that agreement be given to participate in the Scottish Executive’s consultation exercise on the establishment of the new  Community Justice Authorities;  and

(3)      that a further report be submitted to the Committee on the outcome of the consultation.

49

Joint Strategy for Carers

49

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking endorsement of the Inverclyde Joint Strategy for Carers and approval to progress the action plan proposed within the document.

Decided:

(1)      that the Committee approve the Inverclyde Joint Strategy for Carers and endorse the proposals for its implementation;  and

(2)      that agreement be given to a formal launch of the Strategy.

50

Anti-Social Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004:  Implications for Social Work Services

50

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on the implications for Social Work Services of the implementation of Sections 136 and 137 of the Anti-Social Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004.

Decided:

(1)      that the implications of the legislative changes be noted;  and

(2)      that it be remitted to the Head of Social Work Services, Director of Education Services and Head of Legal Services to carry out an audit of the issues arising from the legislative changes with a view to submitting an evaluation report to the Committee six months after the implementation of the legislation.

51

Homeless Service

51

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) providing information on the Council's Homeless Service and (2) seeking approval for a number of proposed improvements to the service as set out in the Homeless Service Improvement Plan, updated at December 2004.

Decided:  that approval be given to the Homeless Service Improvement Plan, updated at December 2004 as set out in the appendix to the report.

52

Inverclyde “Choose Life” Update

52

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on recent developments in and proposals for local implementation of “Choose Life” - Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Strategy 2003 - 2006.

Decided:  that the local approach to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy as described within the report and the local action plan be endorsed.

53

Inverclyde Centre Refurbishment - Phase 2

53

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on proposals for Phase 2 of the refurbishment of the Inverclyde Centre.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Head of Legal Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for Phase 2 of the refurbishment of the Inverclyde Centre at a total estimated cost of £900,000 and that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received.

54

Home Care Review

54

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive (1) on the current position with regard to the review of home care services and (2) proposing that a seminar for all Elected Members be held on 24 February 2005.

Decided:  that the Committee endorse the proposal to hold a seminar for all Elected Members on the home care review to take place on 24 February 2005 at 2.30 pm prior to preparation of the final report.Ä

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 items of business on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the respective paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act as are set opposite each item.

Item                                                                                                                      Paragraph(s)

Update on Throughcare and Aftercare Provision for Young

People who have been Looked After and Accommodated                   3

Tenancies for Individuals with Korsakoff Psychosis:

Commissioning and Contracting Arrangements                                    3

Older People’s Service Proposals:  Former Hillend House                 8

55

Update on Throughcare and Aftercare Provision for Young People who have been Looked After and Accommodated

55

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive providing an update on the progress made in implementing the new statutory responsibilities placed on the Council towards specific 16 to 18 year olds who were previously looked after and accommodated.

Decided:  that the progress made in the implementation of the additional legal requirements placed on the Council and the likely implications for the future be noted.

56

Tenancies for Individuals with Korsakoff Psychosis:  Commissioning and Contracting Arrangements

56

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on commissioning and contracting arrangements in respect of the provision of tenancies for individuals with Korsakoff Psychosis which were agreed, all as detailed in the appendix.

57

Older People’s Service Proposals:  Former Hillend House

57

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive on progress made relative to the development of Older People’s Services to be located at the former Hillend House.  The Committee agreed to progress proposals for alteration works and provision of a modular respite care unit, all as detailed in the appendix.