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HEALTH IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE - 28 MAY 2002

 

 

Health Improvement Committee

 

Tuesday, 28 May 2002 at 3.00 pm

 

 

Present:  Councillors Jackson, Morrison (D), McCabe, McGraw, Nimmo, Rebecchi and Robertson (A).

 

 

Chair:    Councillor McCabe presided.

 

 

In attendance:  Director of Finance Services, Ms L Brabender (for Director of Legal & Support Services), Director of Social Work & Housing Services and Mr A Gerrard (for Head of Property Services).

 

 

Apologies:  Councillors Mitchell and O’Rourke.

 

 

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

 

466

Social Work Capital Programme 2002/2003 - Technical Progress

466

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the technical progress of the Capital Programme 2002/2003.

 

 

Noted

 

467

Social Work & Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2002/03 - 2003/04 - Financial Position

467

 

There was submitted a report dated 15 May 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the financial position of the Social Work & Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2002/03 - 2003/04.  The report advised that as at 8 May 2002, actual expenditure was £112,000, some 6.2% of the projected expenditure for 2002/03 of £1,795,000.

 

 

Decided:

(1)   that the financial position of the Social Work & Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2002/03 - 2003/04 and the projected expenditure over budget be noted; and

(2)   that it be noted that the Officers would carefully monitor the position as the year progressed.

 

468

Uprating of Nursing and Residential Home Rates for Older People

468

 

There was submitted amended report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking approval for increases in rates for voluntary and private sector residential care and nursing home care and also changes in respite care charges for private and voluntary and local authority residential care and nursing homes, all in line with Scottish Executive recommendations.

 

 

Decided:

(1)   that the report be noted;

(2)   that the increase in maintenance rates for voluntary and private sector residential care and nursing home care from 1 April 2002 and 8 April 2002 as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

(3)   that the changes in respite care charges for private and voluntary and local authority residential care and nursing home care from 8 April 2002 as detailed in the report be approved.

 

   469

Quarriers: Maintenance Rate Increase: Fountainview Service

469

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on a proposed increase in the maintenance rate for services for individuals with special needs provided by Fountainview Service at Quarriers Village, Bridge of Weir.

 

 

Decided:

(1)   that the report be noted and the increase in the maintenance rates as detailed in the report be approved; and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to submit further reports to the Committee on the service/financial framework as service developments are made.

 

   470

Fostering Allowances 2002/2003

470

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of an increase in the rate of fostering allowances for 2002/03 as recommended by COSLA.  The Head of Finance & Administration advised the Committee that the recommended COSLA weekly rate for 16-18 year olds for 2002/03 was £122.57.

 

 

Decided:  that the new rates of fostering allowance for 2002/03 be approved.

 

   471

Adults with Incapacity Act 2000

471

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) advising of the main provisions of the Adults with Incapacity Act 2000 and (2) outlining the responsibilities placed upon local authorities as a result of its implementation.

 

 

Noted

 

   472

Barnardo’s Scotland - Project Report 1997-2002

472

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services appending an evaluation report relative to the service provided by Barnardo’s Scotland in partnership with the Council during the period 1997-2002 for children and families affected by disability.

 

 

Decided:  that the positive development of the service provided by Barnardo’s Inverclyde Family Support Team be acknowledged and agreement be given to the continued partnership with Barnardo’s Scotland.

 

 

 

   473

Youth Justice Strategy

473

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on (1) the main implications of the youth crime review on local children’s services developments, (2) the inter-relationship with criminal justice services and (3) the corresponding linkage to the wider youth services. 

 

 

Decided: 

(1)   that approval be given to the establishment of the Youth Justice Strategy Group and that the Group be commissioned to develop a youth justice strategy for Inverclyde; and

(2)  that it be agreed to nominate Councillors Morrison (D) and Nimmo to serve on the Group.

 

  474

Who Cares? Scotland

474

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the activities of the young persons’ worker employed by Who Cares? Scotland to work with accommodated children and young people in Inverclyde and (2) appending a copy of the annual report of the organisation covering the period April 2001 to March 2002.

 

 

Decided:

(1)  that the annual report be noted; and

(2)  that approval be given to the continued funding of the young persons’ worker at an estimated cost of £18,294 in 2002/2003, to be met from existing budgets.

 

  475

Direct Payments to Certain 16 to 18 Year Olds

475

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising that as a result of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001, Councils were required to make direct payments to certain 16 to 18 year olds who had been accommodated by the local authority.

 

 

Decided:

(1)   that the report and the new legislative requirements as a result of Section 55 of the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 be noted; and

(2)   that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to report further to the Committee on developments in due course.

 

  476

Joint Future - Local Partnership Agreement

476

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) seeking approval for the initial Partnership Agreement submitted to the Scottish Executive on 30 April 2002 to secure and deliver improved health and community care services for the people of Inverclyde, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, and (2) identifying specific issues for consideration by the Committee to ensure that the implementation of the Joint Future agenda was successful.

 

 

Decided:

(1)  that the Inverclyde Initial Local Partnership Agreement appended to the report be approved;

(2)  that Councillors Jackson, McCabe and Mitchell (to be confirmed) be appointed to serve on the Board and that Councillor Jackson be appointed Chair; and

(3)  that it be remitted to the Directors of Social Work & Housing Services and Legal & Support Services to make the necessary arrangements to establish the Inverclyde Joint Community Care Board and provide suitable administrative support within the context of the Council’s decision making processes.

 

  477

Implementation of Free Personal and Nursing Care

477

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the action required to implement the Scottish Executive’s policy on free personal and nursing care from 1 July 2002.  (Councillor Morrison (D) left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

 

 

Decided:

(1)  that the implications of the new free personal and nursing care policy effective from July 2002 as detailed in the report be noted;

(2)  that approval be given to the adoption of the COSLA guidance on charging for non-residential care and to a review of the level of future charges for financial year 2003/04;

(3)  that it be noted that further reports would be submitted to the Committee once the implementation of the policy was complete and the full effects of the policy were known; and

(4)  that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to arrange a seminar for all Members on a suitable date, to be agreed in consultation with the Convener.

 

  478

HRA Capital Programme 2002/2003 - Technical Progress

478

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services, with amended appendices, on the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2002/2003.

 

 

Decided:

(1)   that the technical progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2002/2003 be noted;

(2)   that the Committee approve, in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations, the following expenditure increases:-

 

Project                                                                Effect on Expenditure

 

Door Entry Systems, Phase 3

Additional houses included in contract                   £10,500 increase

 

Gibshill Timber Houses Phase 1

 

(a)    Additional works to owner occupied

        property at 30 Fir Street                               £16,152 increase

(b)   Requirement for additional floor

        replacements                                                £7,220 increase; and

(3)   that the following accumulated variations which are outwith the accepted tender amount by more than 10% be approved in terms of the relevant Financial Regulations:-

 

Project                                                                Effect on Expenditure

 

Demolition: 58-66 Corlic Street, Greenock

Anticipated final account 90.47% greater

than accepted tender amount                                £10,088 increase

 

Gibshill Timber Houses, Phase 1

Anticipated final account 22.51% greater

than accepted tender amount                                £59,252 increase

 

  479

HRA Capital Programme 2002/2004 - Financial Position

479

 

There was submitted a report dated 22 May 2002 by the Director of Finance Services on the financial position of the HRA Capital Programme 2002/2004.

 

 

Noted

 

  480

Window Replacement Programme 2002/2003

480

 

There was submitted a report dated 13 May 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposals for the window replacement programme 2002/2003.

 

 

Decided:

(1)   that authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the various projects detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; and

(2)   that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received for the works at Ravenscraig Court, Greenock.

 

  481

Lead Water Mains Replacement - 46-52 Grosvenor Road, Greenock

481

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services requesting authority to add the property at 54 Grosvenor Road to the contract for the replacement of lead water mains at 46-52 Grosvenor Road, Greenock.

 

 

Decided:  that it be agreed to add the property at 54 Grosvenor Road to the lead pipe replacement project at 46-52 Grosvenor Road at a revised total cost of £12,200 inclusive of fees and that the additional cost be charged to the Major Repairs Budget.

 

  482

Scottish Power Agency Agreement

482

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the withdrawal of Scottish Power from the agency agreement under which Housing Services sold power cards and offered Scottish Power customers payment facilities from Housing Offices. 

Councillor Robertson (A) declared an interest in this item and took no part in its consideration or decision.

 

 

Noted

 

   483

New Performance Standards for Housing and Council Tax Benefit

483

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking approval for the adoption of the performance standards for Housing and Council Tax Benefit published by the Department of Works and Pensions in April 2002.

 

 

Decided: 

(1)  that approval be given to the adoption of the performance standards for Housing and Council Tax Benefit published by the Department of Works and Pensions in April 2002; and

(2)  that it be noted that further reports would be submitted to the Committee on the progress of the self assessment process against the performance standards.

 

   484

Housing Services Review Group: Minute of Meeting of 9 April 2002

484

 

There was submitted minute of the meeting of the Housing Services Review Group of

9 April 2002.

 

 

Noted

 

   485

Rent Arrears Performance 2001/2002

485

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services providing a summary of rent arrears performance in the financial year 2001/2002.

 

 

Decided:  that the Committee note the sustained progress in reducing current rent arrears.

 

 

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the project, if agreed, to be progressed without delay.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

 

   486

Gibshill Timber House Refurbishment: Phase 2

486

 

There was submitted a report dated 21 May 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposals for Phase 2 of the refurbishment of the Gibshill timber houses. 

 

 

Decided: 

(1)  that Phase 2 of the refurbishment of the Gibshill timber houses comprise the 12 houses at 2-8 Fir Street and 2-16 Cedar Crescent, Greenock;

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the works; and

(3)  that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Legal & Support Services in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders relating to Contracts and the Financial Regulations.

 

 

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)

Letting Initiative                                                                             6, 8 & 9

Glasgow Road, Port Glasgow - Proposed Closure                        6 & 8

Roof Renewal, Phase 3 - Negotiated Tender                                8

Formation of Pathway for Wheelchair Access                              6 & 8

 

   487

Letting Initiative

487

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on a proposed letting initiative to attract new tenants to Inverclyde Council housing stock and (2) proposing that a pilot scheme be undertaken in conjunction with a local property agent.

 

 

Decided: 

(1)  that approval be given to the proposed pilot letting initiative with Messrs Thomas Bryce on the basis set out in the report, for a trial period of 3 months subject to the minor amendments referred to by the Head of Housing & Building Services; and

(2)   that a report on the findings of the pilot project be submitted to the September meeting of the Committee.

 

   488

Glasgow Road, Port Glasgow - Proposed Closure

488

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposals with regard to the closure of a number of houses in Glasgow Road, Port Glasgow.  The Committee agreed to the acquisition of a privately owned flat but to defer consideration of the future of the properties until the Area Renewal Studies had been considered by the Council, all as detailed in the Appendix.

 

   489

Roof Renewal, Phase 3 - Negotiated Tender

489

 

It was agreed that this item be withdrawn from the Agenda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to decide on the request at the earliest possible date.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

 

   490

Formation of Pathway for Wheelchair Access

490

 

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on a request received from Councillor Rebecchi on behalf of an owner occupier of a former Council house that assistance be given to provide disabled access to the house.  The Committee agreed to remit it to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to examine possible alternative sources of funding for the proposal and to report back to the Committee if required, all as detailed in the Appendix.

 

 

 

HEALTH-28MAY02