Policy and Strategy Committee

Thursday  26 June 2003 at 2.00 pm

Present:  Councillors Blair, Forbes, Fyfe, Hill, McCabe, Mitchell, Nimmo,  Roach, Robertson and Snoddy.

Chair:  Councillor Blair presided.

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

Apologies:  Councillor McCormick (M).

502

Policy on Care Homes for the Elderly

502

The Chief Executive advised the Committee of a recommendation from the Health Improvement Committee at its meeting on 26 June 2003 that the Policy and Strategy Committee agree:-

(1)  that Council policy be amended and that the Council no longer retain an interest as a direct provider of Care Home 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 retaining 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 to the Health Improvement Committee and that the appropriate Officers be given delegated authority to make the necessary arrangements.

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 to allow Members to consider Appendix 2 in the background papers on the grounds that the business involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 6 & 8 of Part I of Schedule 7(A) of the Act.

After discussion relative to Appendix 2, the public was readmitted.

Councillor Blair then moved:-

(1)  that Council policy be amended and that the Council no longer retain an interest as a direct provider of Care Home 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 retaining 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 to the Health Improvement Committee and that the appropriate Officers be given delegated authority to make the necessary arrangements.

As an amendment, Councillor McCabe moved that:-

(1)  the Committee do not accept the recommendations from the Health Improvement Committee;

(2)  that the Council confirm its existing policy;

(3)  that the Council remain a provider of services for the elderly; and

(4)  that the Council proceed with building the new Care Home on the site of the former Hector McNeil Baths.

On a vote, 3 Members voted for the amendment and 7 for the motion which was declared carried.

Decided:

(1)  that Council policy be amended and that the Council no longer retain an interest as a direct provider of Care Home 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 retaining 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 to the Health Improvement Committee and that the appropriate Officers be given delegated authority to make the necessary arrangements.