Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services providing information on the progress which has been made in relation to the Better Lives programme to date.  Taking this into account, together with current opportunities and challenges, the report will also make recommendations for next steps, including the future direction of travel for those services currently provided by the Council.

The Interim Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report providing information on the progress which had been made in relation to the ‘Better Lives’ programme to date. Taking this into account, together with current opportunities and challenges in this area, the report also presented a series of recommendations for next steps, including the future direction of travel for those services currently provided by the Council.

An updated version of the covering report for this matter had been circulated to Board Members prior to the meeting for their consideration.

Responding to an enquiry, assurances were provided that approval of the recommendations detailed within the submitted report would signify the commencement of a robust and meaningful consultation exercise. It was noted that this exercise would take into consideration all relevant information already available, and would ensure engagement with staff, service users, trade unions and others, in order to consider alternative financial models which would seek significant savings in order to align with budget requirements.

In addition, Members received clarification from officers in respect of specific recommendations detailed within the submitted report and it was reiterated that following the conclusion of the consultation exercise, any related final decisions regarding future service provision would be submitted to the Executive Board for determination. Furthermore, it was emphasised that as a result of any such final decisions taken by the Board, no service users would be relocated until appropriate alternative provision had been identified. 

Furthermore, emphasis was placed upon the need to ensure that dialogue continued with all affected staff, the need for a mixed economy of service provision throughout the city was highlighted, and the innovative approach which continued to be undertaken in order to develop appropriate provision across the city was noted.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That it be noted that during the consultation on the future of residential, day and community support services, confirmation will be sought (by means of a further review chaired by the Executive Board member for Adult Social Care or his deputy) that reviews already conducted are robust; and that work with staff and trades unions will be put under way to determine whether alternative service delivery models can be constructed which will deliver the required efficiencies.  It also be noted that staff and trade unions in these areas of service are invited to bring forward workable proposals for alternative service delivery models, for consideration by Executive Board at a future meeting;

(b)  That the proposals contained within the submitted report for the Better Lives programme relating to the specific services, as detailed in section 5 of the submitted report, be approved;

(c)  That the four-year timetable, as set out in the submitted report and as summarised in Appendix 1, be approved;

(d)  That consultation be commenced immediately (January 2015) on the proposed decommissioning of the three remaining specialist residential care homes and associated day centres (Siegen Manor, Middlecross and The Green), with the consultation seeking views on the proposed decommissioning of these establishments when suitable alternative facilities become  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104