Agenda for Adult Social Care & Health Cabinet Member Meeting on Monday, 16th January, 2012, 4.00pm

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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1, Hove Town Hall. View directions

Contact: Caroline De Marco, Democratic Sevrices Officer 

Items
No. Item

25.

Procedural Business

    (a)   Declarations of Interest by all Members present of any personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

     

    (b)   Exclusion of Press and Public - To consider whether, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, or the nature of the proceedings, the press and public should be excluded from the meeting when any of the following items are under consideration.

     

    NOTE:  Any item appearing in Part 2 of the Agenda states in its heading either that it is confidential or the category under which the information disclosed in the report is exempt from disclosure and therefore not available to the public.

     

    A list and description of the categories of exempt information is available for public inspection at Brighton and Hove Town Halls.

    Minutes:

    25(a)   Declarations of Interests

     

    25.1    There were none.

     

    25(b)   Exclusion of Press and Public

     

    25.2    In accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 (“the Act”), the Cabinet Member considered whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during an item of business on the grounds that it was likely, in view of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present during that item, there would be disclosure to them of confidential information (as defined in section 100A(3) of the Act) or exempt information (as defined in section 100I(I) of the Act). 

     

    25.3    RESOLVED - That the press and public be not excluded from the meeting. 

     

26.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 53 KB

    Minutes of the Meeting held on 17 October 2011 (copy attached).

    Minutes:

    26.1    Councillor Norman referred to paragraph 16.1 and stated that this was the second award to be won by Carelink Plus.  He was pleased that Carelink Plus was being recognised as a quality service.

     

    26.2    RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Adult Social Care & Health Cabinet Member Meeting held on  17 October 2011 be agreed and signed by the Cabinet Member, subject to an amendment to a typographical error in paragraph 16.1.  

27.

Cabinet Member's Communications

    Minutes:

    Health and Well Being Board

     

    27.1    The Cabinet Member reported that the Governance Committee had agreed to recommend to Council the establishment of a Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board from April 2012.  An amendment had been made to the recommendations regarding the composition of the Board.  There would now be seven councillors on the Board.  The report would also be submitted to Cabinet for information.

     

     

     

     

28.

Items reserved for discussion

    (a)   Items reserved by the Cabinet Member

     

    (b)   Items reserved by the Opposition Spokespersons

     

    (c)    Items reserved by Members, with the agreement of the Cabinet Member.

     

    NOTE: Public Questions, Written Questions from Councillors, Petitions, Deputations, Letters from Councillors and Notices of Motion will be reserved automatically.

    Minutes:

    28.1    RESOLVED – That all items be reserved for discussion.

     

     

29.

Petitions

    No petitions have been received by the date of publication.

    Minutes:

    29.1    There were none.

     

30.

Public Questions

    (The closing date for receipt of public questions is 12 noon on 9 January 2012)

     

    No public questions have been received by the date of publication.

    Minutes:

    30.1    There were none.

     

31.

Deputations

    (The closing date for receipt of deputations is 12 noon on 9 January 2012)

     

    No deputations have been received by the date of publication.

    Minutes:

    31.1    There were none.

     

32.

Letters from Councillors

    No letters have been received.

    Minutes:

    32.1    There were none.

     

33.

Written Questions from Councillors

    No written questions have been received.

    Minutes:

    33.1    There were none.

     

34.

Notices of Motions

    No Notices of Motion have been received by the date of publication.

    Minutes:

    34.1    There were none.

     

35.

The Adult Social Care Local Account pdf icon PDF 81 KB

    Report of Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People (copy attached).

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    (1)       That the Local account be approved for publication and further consultation.

     

    (2)       That following full consultation a further report is brought to the Cabinet Member Meeting or relevant committee meeting in June 2012.

    Minutes:

    35.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People which outlined the approach taken in Brighton & Hove to the voluntary publication of a “Local Account” in 2011/12 and included a draft “Local Account” document (appendix 1) that could be published as part of a continuing programme of consultation. 

     

    35.2    From 2012/13, the Department of Health and the “Promoting Excellence in Councils’ Adult Social Care Programme Board” were proposing that every social services department published a “local account” each year.  

     

    35.3    The Director of Adult Social Services reported that by the time the report was produced next year, consultation would have been carried out and feedback received.  The matter had been discussed at the Adult Social Care & Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 12 January 2012.   

     

    35.4    The Cabinet Member stated that the discussion at the Scrutiny Committee had been useful.  He stressed the importance of the local account being easy to read and not having too many tables.

     

    35.5    Councillor Norman agreed that there had been useful comments from the members of the Adult Social Care & Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

     

    35.6    RESOLVED – (1) That the Local account be approved for publication and further consultation.

     

    (2)       That a further report be received in 2012 with proposals on the future process for delivering an annual Local Account.

     

36.

Provision of Equipment to Care Homes policy pdf icon PDF 199 KB

    Report of Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People (copy attached).

     

    Decision:

    (1)       That the Provision of Equipment to Care Homes Policy be approved.

     

    Minutes:

    36.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People which explained that the purpose of the ‘Provision of Equipment to Care Homes’ policy 2011” was to give guidance to equipment prescribers, care home providers and care managers regarding who was responsible for providing specific items of daily living or community nursing equipment.    

     

    36.2    The current policy had been widely consulted on via equipment prescriber leads, Registered Care Home Association, care managers and Integrated Community Equipment Store (ICES).   It now had sign up by all stakeholders.  It was based on relevant legislation and best practice guidance from across the country.

     

    36.3    The Performance and Development Officer explained that standard equipment should be provided by residential and care homes with nursing. Bespoke non-standard equipment should be provided in a publically funded way.  If the policy was agreed it would be placed on the Council’s website.  The policy had been agreed by the Clinical Operating Group on 7 December 2011. 

     

    36.4    RESOLVED - (1)      That the Provision of Equipment to Care Homes Policy be approved.

     

37.

Adult Social Care Charging Policy (Non-Residential Services) pdf icon PDF 76 KB

    Report of Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People (copy attached).

     

    Decision:

    (1)               That the following table of charge increases be agreed with effect from 9th April 2012 (maximum weekly charge to remain at £900).

     

    From                                         To:        No. Affected  Extra Income

    Means-tested                                                                                 £               Estimate

     

    In-house home care                    £21 per hour                  £21.50 per hour  }                 Full year

    In-house Community Support     £21 per hour                   £21.50 per hour  }  100           £7,800

    In-house Day care                      £23 per day                   £23.50 per day   }

    Max Weekly charge                 £900 per week                 £900 per week  }

    Direct Payments                      100% Actual cost              max £900 pw     }                              

    Independent Home Care         100% Actual Cost             max £900 pw     }

     

    Social Care services

     

    Fixed Rate Transport                  £2.10 per return             £2.15 per return     280           £2.200

    Fixed Meals charge at DC          £3.00 per meal               £3.10 per meal        170          £2,700

     

    Open Services

    Fixed Meals charge at Home      £3.00 per meal               £3.10 per meal        300          £4,700

    Fixed Carelink charge                 £14 per month               £14.50 per month   1470        £8,800

     

    Minutes:

    37.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People which explained that most Adult Social Care services were chargeable subject to a means test.  Most people used services provided by the independent sector and maximum charges to service users were subject to the fees charged by those organisations.  However, the charging policy for Non-Residential Care included maximum charges and fixed rate charges for in-house services.  These rates were usually reviewed in April of each year. This year the recommended charges were increased by approximately 2%. These charges were detailed in the report.

     

    37.2    The Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People and the Head of Financial Assessment and Welfare Rights drew attention to paragraphs 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 of the report.  Only 8% of service users were likely to be affected by the increases.  

     

    37.3    The Director drew attention to paragraph 3.12.  There would be a scrutiny and re-commissioning process for community meals commencing in January 2012 which could have an effect on charges later in the year.

     

    37.4    Councillor Jarrett referred to paragraph 3.7 in the report which related to the maximum weekly charge.  He asked for the maximum weekly charge to remain at £900 a week. 

     

    37.5    Councillor Norman stated that he supported the original proposals.

     

    37.6    RESOLVED - That the following table of charge increases be agreed with effect from 9th April 2012 (maximum weekly charge to remain at £900).

     

    From                                         To:        No. Affected Extra Income

    Means-tested                                                                                 £               Estimate

     

    In-house home care                    £21 per hour                  £21.50 per hour  }                 Full year

    In-house Community Support     £21 per hour                   £21.50 per hour  }  100           £7,800

    In-house Day care                      £23 per day                   £23.50 per day   }

    Max Weekly charge                    £900 per week               £900 per week }

    Direct Payments                         100% Actual cost           max £900 pw   }                              

    Independent Home Care            100% Actual Cost          max £900 pw   }

     

    Social Care services

     

    Fixed Rate Transport                  £2.10 per return             £2.15 per return     280           £2.200

    Fixed Meals charge at DC          £3.00 per meal               £3.10 per meal        170          £2,700

     

    Open Services

    Fixed Meals charge at Home      £3.00 per meal               £3.10 per meal        300          £4,700

    Fixed Carelink charge                 £14 per month               £14.50 per month   1470        £8,800

     

38.

Safeguarding Adults at Risk pdf icon PDF 63 KB

    Report of Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People (copy attached).

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    (1)       That the safeguarding work carried out in 2010-11, and the work planned for 2011-12 be noted.

     

    (2)       That the report be agreed for circulation.

     

    Minutes:

    38.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People which presented the Safeguarding Adults Board’s annual report for 2010-11, outlining the work carried out during that time, a progress report of the Board, and agreed actions for 2011-12.  This was a yearly progress report, and was published on the city council website, and circulated to all member organisations of the Safeguarding Adults Board.

     

    38.2    The Cabinet Member stated that he was very impressed with the work of the Safeguarding Adults Board. It was good to see a joint and consistent approach to safeguarding. 

     

    38.3    The Cabinet Member mentioned that the Adult Social Care and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee had raised an issue regarding the lack of recording with regard to gender orientation. 

     

    38.4    Councillor Norman stated that it was very difficult to raise this issue in relation to a safeguarding alert and the Head of Adult Assessment emphasised that it was difficult to obtain customer feedback on this issue.   The Cabinet Member replied that he would see if something could be done about the issue over the next year.

     

    38.5    RESOLVED - (1)      That the safeguarding work carried out in 2010-11, and the work planned for 2011-12 be noted.

     

    (2)       That the report be agreed for circulation.

     

39.

Re-modelling in house accommodation for people with a learning disability pdf icon PDF 97 KB

    Report of Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People (copy attached).

     

    Additional documents:

    Decision:

    (1)       That the Cabinet Member agrees a period of 90 days consultation with all stakeholders.

     

    (2)       The Cabinet Member agrees that following full consultation a further report is brought to the Cabinet Member Meeting or relevant committee meeting in June 2012. 

     

    Minutes:

    39.1    The Cabinet Member considered a report of the Director of Adult Social Services/Lead Commissioner People which set out proposals consulting on the re-modelling of the council’s in-house accommodation for people with learning disabilities.  The re-modelling of the in-house service was required to contribute to an increase in local services for people with challenging behaviour and other complex needs who were often at risk of being placed out of the City.

     

    39.2    The Head of Service, Adults’ Provider outlined the report, which proposed to remodel the in-house service by making some changes to the accommodation, further increasing staff skills and flexibility, and by focusing the in-house service on those with the greatest needs.  The paper proposed that consultation commenced with staff and service users to inform the development of a model of accommodation which delivered improved value for money in line with other authorities and focused on providing specialist accommodation.  Options for the re-modelling of the service would be submitted to the Cabinet Member Meeting or relevant committee meeting in June 2012.

               

    39.3    Councillor Norman stated that bearing in mind the financial implications, he supported the proposals.  However, he asked for assurance that the service could manage with these savings.  He hoped that the proposals would lead to smaller sub-units rather than large institutional units.  

     

    39.4    The Cabinet Member stressed that the proposals would not lead to the return of very large units.  He had visited a number of residential locations and had spoken to staff on this issue.   

     

    39.5    The Director stressed that the proposals were about people’s homes and had to be considered on an individual basis.  The consultation process would need to consider a range of complex issues.  There needed to be a clear focus on the in-house service for those with complex needs.

     

    39.6    Councillor Norman was pleased that it would be possible for people who wanted to move back to the city, to do so. 

     

    39.7    The Cabinet Member agreed that if people could be brought back to the city as part of the process that would be a positive outcome.  He stressed that he was always happy to be approached by email if people had any thoughts and concerns about these issues.

     

    39.8    RESOLVED - (1)      That a period of 90 days consultation with all stakeholders be agreed.

     

    (2)       That it is agreed that following full consultation a further report is brought to Cabinet Member Meeting or relevant committee meeting in June 2012. 

     

 


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