Health Improvement Committee

Thursday 26 June 2003 at 1.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Hill, McCabe, Mitchell, Moran, Nimmo, Robertson, Snoddy and Stewart.

Chair:    Councillor Nimmo presided.

In attendance:  Chief Executive, Director of Finance, Director of Legal & Support Services, Director of Social Work & Housing Services, Head of Property Services and Managing Solicitor (Committees/Contracts).

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

500

Policy on Care Homes for the Elderly

500

There was submitted a report dated 24 June 2003 by the Chief Executive (1) outlining the background to the Council’s current policy regarding Care of the Elderly and the provision of a Care Home on the site of the former Hector McNeil baths by the Council, (2) advising that it is anticipated all Care Home places required could be provided by the Independent Sector linked with the closures of the current Council facilities at Kempock House and Hillend House and (3) setting out the implications of any change in policy.  (Councillor Hill entered the meeting during consideration of this item of business).

Councillors McCabe, Moran and Robertson indicated that they did not accept the responses received in relation to the shortness of notice for calling the meeting and the manner in which preliminary discussions on the current contract had been progressed.

Councillor McCabe asked for his dissent to the limited time available for discussion at the Committee to be noted and this was agreed.

After discussion, Councillor Nimmo moved that it be recommended to the Policy and Strategy Committee:

(1)      that Council policy be amended and that the Council no longer retain an interest as a direct provider of Care Homes Services for the Elderly;

(2)      that the Council do not proceed with the construction of a new Care Home at Brachelston Street;

(3)      that the commissioning proposals contained within the report be approved;

(4)      that the appropriate Officers consult with the employees and their Trade Unions regarding future options including retraining and redeployment into other parts of Services within the Council;

(5)      that the appropriate Officers meet with residents, their relatives and carers, the Community Care Forum and NHS Argyll & Clyde regarding placing current residents and future clients within the independent sector;  and

(6)      that the contract for construction of the new Home for the Elderly be addressed in the terms stated in Appendix 2 of the report and that the appropriate Officers be given delegated authority to make the necessary arrangements.

As an amendment, Councillor McCabe moved that the existing Council policy on Care Homes for the Elderly be confirmed.

On a vote,  3 Members voted for the amendment and 7 for the motion which was declared carried.  Those Members who had voted in favour of the amendment then requested in terms of the relevant Standing Order that the matter be referred to The Inverclyde Council for decision in terms of the amendment.                                  

C

Decided:  that it be recommended to the Policy and Strategy Committee:

(1)      that Council policy be amended and that the Council no longer retain an interest as a direct provider of Care Homes Services for the Elderly;

(2)      that the Council do not proceed with the construction of a new Care Home at Brachelston Street;

(3)      that the commissioning proposals contained within the report be approved;

(4)      that the appropriate Officers consult with the employees and their Trade Unions regarding future options including retraining and redeployment into other parts of Services within the Council;

(5)      that the appropriate Officers meet with residents, their relatives and carers, the Community Care Forum and NHS Argyll & Clyde regarding placing current residents and future clients within the independent sector;  and

(6)      that the contract for construction of the new Home for the Elderly be addressed in the terms stated in Appendix 2 of the report and that the appropriate Officers be given delegated authority to make the necessary arrangements.

C

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 during consideration of the following item on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 and 8 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

501

Policy on Care Homes for the Elderly - Appendix 2

501

There was submitted Appendix 2 relative to the above report by the Chief Executive detailing potential contractual issues arising from a change in the Council’s current policy on Care of the Elderly.

Noted