Health Improvement Committee

Tuesday 29 October 2002 at 3.00 pm

Present:  Provost Roach, Councillors Mitchell, Morrison (D), McCabe, Nimmo, O’Rourke, Rebecchi and Robertson (A).

Chair:    Councillor McCabe presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillors Jackson and McGraw.

With the exception of the decisions marked “C” which are open for confirmation or otherwise, the following paragraphs are submitted for information only, having been dealt with under the powers delegated to the Committee.

828

Social Work and Other Housing Services Revenue Budget 2002/03 - Period 6

828

There was submitted a report dated 10 October 2002 by the Director of Finance on the position of the Social Work and Other Housing Services Revenue Budget as at Period 6 (18 September 2002).

Decided:

(1)  that the current position of the Social Work and Other Housing Services Revenue Budget 2002/03 and the efforts being made by Officers with a view to containing any overspends within the current Budget be noted;

(2)  that approval be given to the following virements within the Social Work Budget:-

(a)   £13,000 from Miscellaneous Grants to Elderly Sessional Home Helps;

(b)  £41,000 from Miscellaneous Supplementation to Physical Sensory Handicapped Supplementation;

(c)   £11,290 from Payments to Other Bodies to Other Bodies within Childcare, Children’s Change Fund to Children’s Change Fund Employee Costs;

(d)  £43,000 from Miscellaneous Carer Services Plan to Childcare Children’s Services Plan; and

(3)  that the additional budget allocation of £90,000 for Single Status be noted.

   829

Social Work and Other Housing Services Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04 - Progress

829

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the position of the Social Work & Other Housing Services Capital Programme 2002/03.  In particular, the report advised of a delay in the start date for the building of the Elderly Persons Home from October 2002 to January 2003 and of the decision of the Policy & Strategy Committee in September 2002 to approve the transfer of 2 projects (64/66 ¦Dempster Street and Glenburn Resource Centre) from the secondary to the primary project list.

Noted

   830

Local Authorities as Health Improvement Organisations

830

There was submitted a report dated 16 September 2002 by the Director of Legal & Support Services advising that the Community Committee on 12 September 2002 (1) had considered a report outlining the role and remit of the Public Health Co-ordinator, (2) had approved the action taken to progress the public health agenda within Inverclyde and (3) had remitted the report to the Health Improvement Committee for its information and interest given the corporate nature of the post.

Noted

   831

Revised Maintenance Rates for Establishments Within and Outwith Inverclyde

831

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

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that approval be given to the recommended rates detailed in the Appendix to the report in order that the Director of Social Work & Housing Services may make appropriate payments in the event of residential placements being made.

   832

Revised Maintenance Rates - Quarriers

832

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

Decided:  that approval be given to the recommended rates detailed in the report in order that the Director of Social Work & Housing Services may make appropriate payments in respect of current and future placements.

   833

Demolition - Burns Road Office, Greenock

833

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) advising of the circumstances surrounding a fire at the Burns Road Office, Greenock which required the subsequent demolition of the building and (2) detailing the resultant impact on the provision of services.

Decided:

(1) that the Committee note the circumstances surrounding the fire at the Burns Road Social Work Office and acknowledge the efforts of the Criminal Justice staff in ensuring continued delivery of services throughout the period of disruption; and

(2) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services and the Head of Property Services to take all action necessary to secure a long term solution to the accommodation for the Service.

   834

Hospital Discharge Protocol

834

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking approval of the Hospital Discharge Protocol, issued separately to Members, which aims to ensure a patient’s safe, appropriate and timely discharge from hospital.

Decided:  that approval be given to the Hospital Discharge Protocol and for a formal signing event involving the participating agencies, Inverclyde Council, Argyll & Clyde Acute NHS Trust, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Primary Care Trust, Argyll & Clyde NHS Board and Inverclyde Local Healthcare Co-operative.

   835

Single Shared Assessment

835

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the progress made in developing a practice model to deliver a single shared assessment for community care service users.

Decided:

(1)  that the report be approved;

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to take all action necessary to progress the proposals in consultation with partner agencies; and

(3)  that the Director of Social Work & Housing Services report further to the Committee in the spring of 2003 on the progress of the evaluation and the single shared assessment together with future plans.

   836

Sensory Impairment Service Development

836

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the current position with regard to the provision of services to people with sensory impairment following the Scottish Office report “Sensing Progress” and (2) detailing proposed future developments as requested by the Social Work Services Inspectorate during their annual inspection visit in March 2002.

Decided: 

(1) that the report be noted and the service improvement proposals contained therein be endorsed; and

(2) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to take all necessary action to implement the recommendations.

   837

Joint Delayed Discharge Commissioning Plan

837

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising the Committee of a Joint Delayed Discharge Commissioning Plan developed with a view to addressing the problem of people who had been delayed inappropriately in a hospital bed after having been deemed clinically ready for discharge.

Decided:  that the Inverclyde Delayed Discharge Commissioning Plan appended to the report be approved.

   838

Information on Accommodated Children and Young People

838

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services providing information as at 30 September 2002 on accommodated children and young people from Inverclyde for whom the Council has statutory responsibilities and an associated corporate parenting role.

Decided:

(1)  that the report be noted; and

(2)  that it be noted that a further report would be submitted to the Committee at the end of the financial year on the trends which had developed over the year.

   839

Educational Attainment of Looked After and Accommodated Children and Young People

839

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the educational attainment of those children and young people for whom the Council has a corporate parenting responsibility.

Decided:

(1)  that the achievements of the young people who had gained educational qualifications be noted; and

(2)  that it be noted that the remaining children who were unsuccessful or who were not in a position to undertake examinations would continue to be encouraged to take advantage of educational and training opportunities.

   840

Care and Support at Home - Charging Policy

840

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services seeking approval of a care and support at home charging policy for users of Social Work Services.  (Councillor Robertson (A) entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided:

(1) that the charging policy set out in the report be applied only to the provision of home help and meals on wheels services  but not to the provision of flexi support, community respite, befriending services and community alarms;

(2) that the transitional protection be extended to 30 June 2003 and the new charges be implemented from 1 July 2003; and

(3) that there be a review of threshhold and tapered charges on an annual basis to tie in with the annual budget preparation.

   841

Client Approvals

841

It was noted that this item had been withdrawn from the Agenda.

   842

Housing Revenue Account 2002/03 - Revenue Budget - Period 6

842

There was submitted a report dated 17 October 2002 by the Director of Finance (1) on the position of the Housing Revenue Account Budget as at Period 6 (18 September 2002) and (2) advising that there was a projected overspend of £37,000, an improvement of £98,000 since the last report to Committee.  (Councillor Morrison (D) left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Decided: 

(1)  that the current position of the Housing Revenue Account - Revenue Budget 2002/03 be noted;

(2)  that the action being taken by Officers with a view to containing any overspend within the current Budget be noted; and

(3)  that a report be submitted to the Committee on the personnel issues within Housing Services, in particular, the recruitment and retention of staff and the impact of staff turnover on the provision of services.

   843

HRA Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04 - Progress

843

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the progress of the HRA Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04.  (Councillor Morrison (D) returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business.)

The Head of Housing & Building Services advised the Committee that the cost of the works comprising Phase 2 of the Gibshill timber houses had risen to £421,000 and that the number of houses included in the project had increased from 10 to 12. 

Decided:

(1)  that the overall position of the HRA Capital Programme 2002/03 to 2003/04 together with the adjustments described in Section 2 of the report and the oral report by the Head of Housing & Building Services be noted;

(2)  that the Committee approve an expenditure decrease of £27,500 in the Upper Port Glasgow Area Window Replacement Project due to the deletion of 19 houses following house sales; and

(3)  that the accumulated variations in the Upper Port Glasgow Area Window Replacement Project which are £28,650 less than the accepted tender amount be approved.

   844

Renewal of Windows - Shore Street and St John’s Road, Gourock

844

There was submitted a report dated 8 October 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposals for the renewal of the windows at 107-167 Shore Street and 36 St John’s Road, Gourock.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the window replacement works at 107-167 Shore Street and 36 St John’s Road, Gourock at an estimated cost of £47,000 including fees.

   845

Demolition - 2-6 Barnhill Street, Greenock

845

There was submitted a report dated 8 October 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on proposals for the demolition of 2-6 Barnhill Street, Greenock.

Decided:  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the demolition of 2-6 Barnhill Street, Greenock at an estimated cost of £73,500 including fees.

   846

Inverclyde Centre - Refurbishment

846

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on proposals for the refurbishment of the ground floor of the Inverclyde Centre and (2) seeking authority to invite tenders for Phase 1 of the works at an estimated cost of £328,000 including fees.

C

Decided:

(1)  that the report be noted;

(2)  that the project be included in the Capital Programme; and

(3)  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for Phase 1 of the works and that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received.

C

   847

Wallace Place, Greenock - Refurbishment

847

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on proposals for the refurbishment of the ground floor public office accommodation at Wallace Place, Greenock and (2) seeking authority to invite tenders for the work at an estimated cost of £223,000 including fees.  (Councillor O’Rourke left the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

C

Decided:

(1) that the reported be noted;

(2) that the project be included in the current year’s Capital Programme; and

(3) that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the works and that delegated authority be granted in the usual manner to accept the lowest tender received.

C

   848

Demolition of 60-78, 146-164 and 166-184 Oronsay Avenue, Port Glasgow

848

There was submitted a report dated 9 October 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on proposals for the demolition of the 3 blocks at 60-78, 146-164 and 166-184 Oronsay Avenue, Port Glasgow and (2) seeking authority to invite tenders for the work.

C

Decided: 

(1)  that the demolition of the properties at 60-78, 146-164 and 166-184 Oronsay Avenue, Port Glasgow be included in the current year’s Capital Programme; and

(2)  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to arrange for the invitation of tenders for the demolition and ground re-instatement work in the sum of £68,000 inclusive of fees.

C

   849

Proposed Cavity Wall Insulation Programme 2002-2005

849

There was submitted a report dated 3 October 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the proposed cavity wall insulation programme for the period 2002-2005.  (Councillor O’Rourke returned to the meeting during consideration of this item of business.)

Decided:

(1)  that it be noted that the target for installing cavity wall insulation within every appropriate Council house in Inverclyde was 31 March 2005, requiring work in approximately 2,500 houses;

(2)  that it be noted that as approximately £250,000 funding would be forthcoming from Scottish and Southern Energy’s EEC Programme in this period, no additional HRA funding other than that already committed would be required; and

(3)  that it be agreed that metallised radiator panels be also now offered to tenants and funded from the existing HRA budget.

   850

Inverclyde Care & Repair Business Plan 2003-2008: Request for Revenue Funding

850

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) advising that the Care & Repair Business Plan 2003-2008 had now been completed and (2) identifying the need for additional funding from the Council to enhance the Care & Repair Scheme.

Decided:

(1)  that the report and the Business Plan, issued separately to Members, be noted;

(2)  that the success of the Inverclyde Care & Repair project since its establishment in 2000 and the proposals for the project over the next 5 years be noted; and

(3)  that the future funding for the Care & Repair project beyond March 2003 be remitted to the Corporate Management Team for consideration during the Revenue Budget process.

   851

Supporting People/Transitional Housing Benefit

851

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) advising that it was intended that all expenditure relating to Housing Support costs be identified in the Benefit System as transitional Housing Benefit payable up to 31 March 2003 at which point local authorities would receive an allocation for Supporting People grant via the annual financial settlement and (2) setting out the various issues arising from this decision.

Decided:

(1) that a further report be submitted to the Committee on the implications of Supporting People for the Local Authority Sheltered Housing Services;

(2) that approval be given to the allocation of Housing Support balances within the Social Work Account to meet existing and future costs incurred in implementing the Supporting People Strategy;

(3) that the Director of Social Work & Housing Services and the Head of Personnel Services address the staffing structure and establishment required to meet the demands of contracting and commissioning; and

(4) that the Directors of Social Work & Housing Services and Finance recommend the use of balances from Supporting People within Social Work Community Care as part of the 2003/2004 budget setting process, in line with the remit from the Policy Review Group.

    852

Aids and Adaptations

852

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services on the current position of the aids and adaptations programme.

Decided:  that it be recommended to the Policy & Strategy Committee that an allocation of £190,000 be made from the Supporting People funding for the provision of aids and adaptations in the current financial year.

   853

Housing Strategy

853

There was submitted a report dated 9 October 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising that the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 placed a duty on local authorities to produce a 5 year housing strategy and that to assist with this process, the Scottish Executive had provided a grant of £58,500 for 2002/03.

Decided:

(1)  that the report be noted;

(2)  that the aim of securing development funding from Communities Scotland be confirmed; and

(3)  that the Working Group for this purpose be chaired by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services.

   854

Implementation of the Scottish Secure Tenancy

854

There was submitted a report dated 11 October 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) advising of the implications for the Council as a result of the introduction of the Scottish Secure Tenancy and (2) outlining progress made to date in the implementation of the new Tenancy.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to report to the next meeting of the Committee on the operation of the Short Scottish Secure Tenancy.

   855

Homelessness Service

855

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the current position with regard to the re-configuration of the Council’s homelessness service and (2) recommending an adjustment to the staffing structure previously approved by the Committee.

Decided:

(1)  that the report be noted;

(2)  that agreement be given to the establishment of the posts of Assistant Manager (Resettlement) (part-time) and Assistant Manager (Temporary Accommodation) and that it be remitted to the Head of Personnel Services to report thereon to the Corporate Business Committee; and„

(3)  that it be remitted to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services to report on the estimated annual cost of the service together with the funding arrangements.

   856

Tenant Participation Strategy

856

There was submitted a report dated 11 October 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) advising of the statutory framework for tenant participation in terms of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 which placed a duty on all Councils to produce a Tenant Participation Strategy by March 2003 and (2) appending the draft consultation paper “Developing a Tenant Participation Strategy”.

Decided:

(1)  that agreement be given to the publication and wide distribution of the consultation paper “Developing a Tenant Participation Strategy” appended to the report;

(2)  that agreement be given to undertake a Tenant Participation Audit and to prepare thereafter an Action Plan in consultation with tenants and other stakeholders and that these be published as part of the Tenant Participation Strategy to be completed by March 2003; and

(3)  that it be agreed that regular progress reports be made to the Tenant Participation Working Group and that the completed Tenant Participation Strategy be submitted to the Committee in March 2003.

   857

Housing Allocation Policy Review

857

There was submitted a report dated 30 September 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) reviewing the effectiveness of the changes made to the Housing Allocation Policy, (2) inviting comments from Elected Members and the Federation of Inverclyde Tenants and Residents Association (FITRA) on areas of policy which may require further refining and (3) recommending that new policy initiatives to allocate Council housing be considered.

Decided:

(1) that the report be noted; and

(2) that it be noted that Elected Members were invited to submit items for inclusion in the Housing Allocation Policy, or any amendments thereto, to the Director of Social Work & Housing Services by no later than Monday, 2 December 2002.

   858

Housing Services Review Group - Minute of Meeting of 8 October 2002

858

There was submitted minute of the meeting of the Housing Services Review Group of 8 October 2002.

Noted

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 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)

Housing Management Information System 6 & 8

Application of Section 15.2 of Standing Orders

Relating to Contracts                                                6 & 8

Demolition of 1-49 Curlew Lane and

10-58 Wren Road, Greenock - Use

of Emergency Powers Procedure                              6 & 8

DLO Performance Report - Building

Services - Period 6                                                     8

Social Work Complaints Review

Committee                                                                  6

   859

Housing Management Information System

859

There was submitted a report dated 28 October 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) on the outcome of the tender process in respect of the Housing Management Information System and (2) advising the Committee of the preferred supplier for the provision of the system.

Decided:

(1)  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to accept the tender for the supply of a Housing Management Information System by Anite Public Sector in the sum of £283,632 for non-recurring costs together with £103,435 support and maintenance charges for a 5 year period;

(2)  that provision of the necessary servers be purchased on the best terms available; and

(3)  that the phasing of the capital expenditure be adjusted to £250,000 for 2002/03 and £200,000 for 2003/04.

   860

Application of Section 15.2 of Standing Orders Relating to Contracts

860

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services requesting the Committee to approve application of Section 15.2 of the Standing Orders Relating to Contracts to the Community Alarm Service Contract and this was agreed, all as detailed in the Appendix.

   861

Demolition of 1-49 Curlew Lane and 10-58 Wren Road, Greenock - Use of Emergency Powers Procedure

861

There was submitted a report dated 8 October 2002 by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services advising of the use of the emergency powers procedure under Standing Order 66(a) to accept the lowest tender received for the demolition of 1-49 Curlew Lane and 10-58 Wren Road, ‚Greenock, that by Demolition Recoveries Ltd in the sum of £104,104.00.

Noted

   862

DLO Performance Report - Building Services - Period 6

862

There was submitted a report dated 3 October 2002 by the Director of Finance on the performance of the Building Services DLO for the period to 18 September 2002.

Decided:

(1)  that the current projected budgetary position be noted; and

(2)  that it be noted that the Business Plan Targets and Key Performance Measures would be further developed as a result of the approval of the Business Plans in due course.

The Convener being of the opinion that the undernoted report by the Director of Legal & Support Services was relevant, competent and urgent moved its consideration to allow the Committee to consider and, if in agreement, approve interim and long term arrangements for dealing with unresolved complaints regarding the delivery of Social Work services.  This was unanimously agreed in terms of the relevant Standing Order.

   863

Social Work Complaints Review Committee

863

There was submitted a report by the Director of Social Work & Housing Services (1) advising of a change required in the composition of the body established to consider and determine any unresolved complaint regarding the delivery of Social Work services in Inverclyde following the revised guidance from the Scottish Executive to the effect that hearings required to be conducted by three independent persons and (2) seeking approval for interim and long term arrangements for dealing with such unresolved complaints.

Decided:

(1)  that the changes in the requirements for an independent complaints review body to consider and determine unresolved complaints regarding the delivery of Social Work services in Inverclyde be noted;

(2)  that as a consequence, it be agreed that hearings, as and when required, be heard by a Complaints Review Committee sitting independently of the Health Improvement Committee and that the arrangements, taking account of the change in requirements, be as follows:-

(a) to provide for the calling of the Complaints Review Committee comprising 3 independent persons as and when required to deal with complaints regarding Social Work Services in Inverclyde;

(b) that decisions of the Complaints Review Committee be accepted as binding by the Council;

(c) that payment of a sum equal to Members’ Attendance Allowance or loss of earnings together with payment of expenses be made to the independent persons serving on the Committee; and

(d) that authority be delegated to the Director of Legal & Support Services to take all necessary action in connection therewith;

(3)  that authority be delegated to the Director of Legal & Support Services to make arrangements as outlined in the report for the calling of the Committee to deal with the present unresolved complaint; and

(4)  that it be remitted to the Director of Legal & Support Services to report in due course on the list of independent persons from which it is proposed to make up membership of the Committee on future occasions.