Health & Social Care Committee

Tuesday 16 January 2007 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Forbes, Fyfe, Hunter, McKenzie, Nimmo, Roach, Robertson and Snoddy.

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Corporate Director Education & Social Care, Head of Social Work, Head of Community Care & Strategic Services, Head of Support & Development, Mr F Jarvie (for Head of Legal & Administration) and Mr M Thomson (for Head of Finance).

Apologies:  Councillor Gallacher.

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

55

Revenue Budget 2006/07 – Period 7

55

There was submitted a report by the Head of Finance on the position of the Revenue Budget 2006/07 as at Period 7 (31 October 2006) which showed a projected underspend of £911,000.  It was noted that £1,276,000 of this amount would be returned to reserves and earmarked to be spent in 2007/08, resulting in an overspend of £365,000, an increase of £173,000 since the last meeting of the Committee.

Decided:

(1)                                                                                                   that the Corporate Director Education & Social Care continue to review the budget with a view to containing expenditure within budget;  and

(2)                                                                                                   that the requirement to review the interim management structure put in place following the departure of the previous Director of Social Work Services in January 2005 be noted.

56

Social Work Capital and CFCR Projects – Technical Progress

56

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care on the progress of the Social Work Capital and CFCR projects in the current financial year.

Noted

57

Social Work Services Quarterly Performance Information

57

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care providing quarterly performance management information in respect of Social Work Services.

Decided:

(1)                                                                                                   that the Committee note the information contained in the report, including service targets which are being met and those areas where improvement is required;  and

(2)                                                                                                   that in future, the report include information on multiple admissions.

58

Social Work Services Annual Report 2005 – 2006

58

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care seeking approval of the Social Work Services Annual Report 2005 – 2006.

Decided:  that the Social Work Services Annual Report 2005 – 2006 be approved.

59

North Strathclyde Community Justice Authority

59

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care providing an update on (1) developments relative to the establishment of the North Strathclyde Community Justice Authority and (2) setting out the implications for the Council and Social Work Criminal Justice Social Work Services.

Decided:

(1)                                                                                                   that the Committee note the establishment of the full operational responsibilities of the North Strathclyde Community Justice Authority (CJA) in April 2007; 

(2)                                                                                                   that the Committee note that formal arrangements have been adopted for a Constitution and Standing Orders in respect of the new statutory body and that Councillor Nimmo is the current Council representative on the CJA;

(3)                                                                                                   that the Committee note that from April 2007, the allocation of funds from the Justice Department to meet the cost of Criminal Justice Social Work Services in Inverclyde will be determined by and disbursed through the North Strathclyde CJA;  and

(4)                                                                                                   that the Committee acknowledge the completion of the Strategic Plan for the North Strathclyde CJA covering the year April 2007 to March 2008.

60

Revised Service Review Policy

60

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care (1) advising the Committee of updated Scottish Executive Guidance regarding Service Reviews of Housing Support Services and (2) requesting that the Committee note the impact of this on the Service Review process in Inverclyde.

Decided:

(1)                                                                                                   that the report be noted;  and

(2)                                                                                                   that the need to revise the Service Review process to meet Scottish Executive requirements be noted.

61

Educational Attainment of Looked After Children

61

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care appending the joint Education and Social Care policy in respect of the education of looked after and accommodated children and young people.

Decided:  that the Committee approve the policy on the education of looked after and accommodated children and young people appended to the report.

62

Development of Services for Adults with Learning Disabilities - St Saviour’s Site, Burns Road, Greenock

62

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care (1) providing an update on the progress of the Merchiston Hospital closure programme and (2) seeking delegated authority for the acceptance of the most advantageous tender received for the provision of services for those patients who will be discharged into the community.

Decided:

(1)                                                                                                   that the Committee note and approve the process which has now commenced in respect of the discharge of patients from Merchiston Hospital into the community;

(2)                                                                                                   that it be remitted to the Head of Legal & Administration to arrange for the invitation of tenders from specialist providers for the care and support needs of the individuals referred to in the report and that authority be delegated to the Head of Legal & Administration in consultation with the appropriate Officers and after consultation with the Convener, Vice-Convener and a Member of the Minority Group to accept the most advantageous tender received;  and

(3)                                                                                                   that it be noted that Inverclyde Council will have completed its re-provisioning responsibilities in respect of the closure of Merchiston Hospital by the target date of July 2007.

63

National Care Home Contract for Nursing and Residential Care (Older People)

63

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care on the implementation of the National Care Home Contract for Older People.

Decided:  that the implementation of the National Care Home Contract for Older People as jointly agreed by CoSLA and Scottish Care be noted.

64

Inverclyde Joint Care Board – Minute of Meeting of 28 September 2006

64

There was submitted minute of the meeting of the Inverclyde Joint Care Board of 28 September 2006.

Decided:

(1)                                                                                                   that the minute be noted;  and

(2)                                                                                                   that the Committee’s best wishes be extended to Mrs Nell McFadden, a member of the Joint Care Board, for a full recovery from her recent illness.

65

Mental Health Service Redesign

65

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care advising of progress made in the redesign of the mental health service and the development of the Clyde mental health strategy.

Decided:

(1)                                                                                                   that the report be noted;  and

(2)                                                                                                   that the approach adopted relative to the redesign process be endorsed.

66

NHS Acute Services – Review

66

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care (1) advising of the review of acute hospital services conducted by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde and (2) providing details of the consultation process.

Decided:

(1)                                                                                                   that the detailed proposals by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde relative to the review of acute hospital services be noted;  and

(2)                                                                                                   that it be remitted to the Chief Executive to provide a response on behalf of the Council to the consultation proposals.

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 on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

67

Social Work Complaints Review Committee – Update on Unresolved Complaints

67

There was submitted a report by the Corporate Director Education & Social Care providing an update on the action taken following a hearing by the Social Work Complaints Review Committee into unresolved complaints regarding the provision of services.  The Committee agreed to note the update provided and that the work identified had been completed, all as detailed in the appendix.