Agenda item - Services for Adults with Autistic Spectrum Conditions - Scrutiny Review Panel Report

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources (copy to follow).

90.1         Councillor Harmer-Strange introduced the report and stated that he had great pleasure in bringing the report before Members.  He wished to thank the panel Members for their support and those taking part in the review as well as the officers who supported the panel.  It had been a very complex issue and was one that he had personal experience with and yet proved to be enlightening for him.  The evidence received had enabled the panel to produce their recommendations and he hoped that they would form the basis of improved working arrangements across all agencies and the opportunity to have further joint sessions to discuss how services to all those directly or indirectly affected could be improved.

90.2         Councillor Watkins stated that he wished to place on record his thanks to Councillor Harmer-Strange for his chairmanship of the panel and the various meetings that received evidence and personal experiences in coping with autism and associated conditions.  He stated that the review complemented previous ones on dual diagnosis and sexual violence and highlighted the important role that effective scrutiny offered.

90.3         Councillor Norman stated that he wished to endorse the report and its recommendations and to thank the Members of the Panel.  He stated that a number of the recommendations had already been taken forward and others would be in due course.  It was an important issue and one that he as the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health would ensure was kept at the forefront of the service’s priorities.

90.4         Councillor Phillips stated that she wished to thank the officers, members of the pubic and expert witnesses involved in the review process.  She noted that some excellent work was already being undertaken in the third sector but that more co-ordinated support would enable that work to continue, which was why it was important to facilitate the coming together of all the service areas to ensure help could be provided across all sectors.

90.5         Councillor Meadows added her thanks to everyone involved with the review and also noted that Councillor Harmer-Strange’s personal experience had helped the Panel Members to gain an understanding of just how diverse and wide ranging the subject matter was.  She stated that the testimonies of those who suffer from an autistic condition and their carers had shown just how much they had to fight for help and support and how their lives could be improved and she hoped that the Panel’s recommendations would be fully supported by all partner agencies.

90.6         Councillor Harmer-Strange thanked everyone for their comments and stated that there was still a lot to take forward and he hoped that the recommendations and the situation would be regularly reviewed.

90.7         RESOLVED: That the report be noted.