Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) for the municipal year 2009/10.

In accordance with her powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair consented to the submission of a late item of business in relation to the draft report on the Board’s Inquiry into Major Adaptations for Disabled People (Agenda Item 12) (Minute 12 refers).

The report was late as the Council’s Constitution requires that where a Scrutiny Board was considering making specific recommendations, it shall invite advice from the appropriate Director(s) prior to it finalising its recommendations.  The deadline for such comments was 5.00 pm on 11 June 2009.  Any advice regarding the accuracy of the report resulting in correction was undertaken prior to the report being circulated to the Board.

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

The following personal interests were declared:-

• Councillor J Chapman in view of the fact that she had a relative who worked in private industry as a Homecare Worker (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 9 refers)
• Councillor P Ewens in her capacity as a Board Member on the Cardigan Centre) (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 9 refers)
• Councillor T Hanley in his capacity as a Director of Bramley Elderly Action, Hayley’s Yard, Bramley (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 9 refers)
• Councillor V Morgan in her capacity as a recipient of an old age pension (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 9 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Mrs R Feldman, A Gabriel, Councillor F Robinson and Councillor A Taylor.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6^th May 2009.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 May 2009 be approved as a correct record.

a)  Annual Report 2008/2009 (Minute 107 refers)

The Chair informed the meeting that the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser had implemented the changes to the Annual Report for 2008/2009 in line with the comments made by Board Members at the previous meeting.

To receive and consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on Co-opted Members.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which outlined the provision to allow the appointment of co-opted members to Scrutiny Boards.  It was reported that up to five non-voting co-opted members could be appointed to the Board for a term of office which did not go beyond the next annual meeting of Council and up to two non-voting members for a term of office which related to a particular scrutiny inquiry.

RESOLVED:-

a)  That the content of the report be noted.

b)  That the following be co-opted to the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) for the 2009/10 municipal year:-

·  Ms Joy Fisher – Alliance of Service Users and Carers

·  Ms Sally Morgan – Equality Issues representative (a member of the public recruited with a remit to keep matters of equality at the forefront of the Board’s discussions)

c)  That the issue of co-opting other agencies on to the Board be discussed in more detail at the next Board meeting in July 2009.

(Ms Joy Fisher and Ms Sally Morgan joined the meeting at 10.15am at the conclusion of the above item)

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on changes to the Council’s Constitution in relation to Scrutiny.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report requesting the Board to note the changes to the Council’s Constitution in relation to Scrutiny and, in particular, the new crime and disorder functions of the Scrutiny Board which was required to be developed further this year.

Discussion ensued on the content of the report and clarification was sought on how wide the powers were to scrutinise partners and the limitations involved.

The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser made reference to the local area agreement in place and she agreed to circulate a definitive list to the Board for their information/retention.

RESOLVED:-

a)  That the content of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That in relation to fulfilling the role and function of the Scrutiny Board, this Board notes the amendments to the Council’s constitution, as outlined in the report.

c)  That this Board notes the likely changes resulting from the Secretary of State regulations regarding the provision of information from partner authorities.

To receive and consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on an input into the Board’s work programme for 2009/10 and to identify sources of work and establish the Board’s priorities.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on an input into the Board’s work programme for 2009/10 and to identify sources of work and establish the Board’s priorities.

Appended to report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

a)  Council Business Plan 2008 to 2011 – Executive Summary

(Appendix 1a refers)

b)  Leeds Strategic Plan 2008 to 2011 – Executive Summary (Appendix 1b refers)

c)  List of Scrutiny enquiries undertaken in the past five years that were relevant to the Adult Social Care portfolio (Appendix 1c refers)

d)  Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board Terms of Reference (Appendix 2 refers)

e)  Forward Plan and Key Decision for the period 1 June 2009 to 30 September 2009 (Appendix 3 refers)

The Chair welcomed the following representatives to the meeting who were in attendance to respond to queries and comments from the Board:-

·  Councillor P Harrand, Executive Board Member for Adult Social Care

·  Dennis Holmes, Deputy Director – Strategic Commissioning

The Executive Board Member for Adult Social Care outlined some of the pressures on the Department for the coming year and also raised some topics for possible scrutiny by the Board.

The Deputy Director – Strategic Commissioning summarised the key activities and priorities of the Adult Social Services Department for the year ahead and suggested topics that the Board might like to consider including in their work programme.

Members commented on and sought further clarification on a number of particular issues for possible inclusion in the Board’s future work programme.

The Chair informed the Board that their work programme for 2009/10 was demanding with a number of current inquiries continuing into the new municipal year. She therefore requested the Board to give consideration to focusing on a major inquiry for the coming year.

Following detailed discussions, the Chair thanked the Executive Board Member and the Deputy Director, Strategic Commissioning for their contribution and attendance.

RESOLVED -  That the content of the report and appendices be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on determining the Board’s work programme for 2009/10.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report requesting that the Board consider formulating a draft work programme.

Dennis Holmes, Deputy Director – Strategic Commissioning was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments

The Board discussed the following issues for possible inquiry, update reports required and topics to be included in the work programme for the year:-

• the Board expressed interest in holding a major inquiry in relation to Mental Health Services for working aged adults and also to look at transitional arrangements for Children into Adult Social Care

It was also agreed to continue with the following work areas:-

• Personalisation, including the impact on Home care provision
• Safeguarding
• Recommendation tracking of Adaptations

The Chair informed Members that a number of working groups would be established during the course of the year to focus on specific areas of work.

Specific reference was made to the Personalisation Working Group and Councillor McKenna and Councillor Morgan agreed to sit on this group.

This was endorsed by the Board and the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser agreed to forward a copy of previous minutes of the working group for their information/retention.

In concluding, the Board requested the Principal Scrutiny Adviser to update the Board’s work programme, in conjunction with the Chair, and the Director of Adult Social Services.

RESOLVED – That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Advisor, in conjunction with the Chair and Director of Adult Social Services, be requested to update and timetable the Board’s work programme with a view to incorporating the above inquiries and areas of work.

(Councillor P Ewens left the meeting at 11.15am at the conclusion of the above item).

To receive and consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on a recent KPMG external audit review of Scrutiny.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on a recent KPMG external audit review of Scrutiny.

The report also provided details of management’s response to the review recommendations.

Peter Marrington, Head of Scrutiny and Member Development, was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In brief summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• clarification of web based forums
• single item agenda’s and their role within the Board’s work programme
• clarification of the role of group Whips and Scrutiny Chair’s in taking the recommendations forward
• the importance of job specifications and training
• the need for clearer roles for scrutiny with a view to focusing more on policy development

RESOLVED:-

a)  That the content of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Review’s recommendations and accompanying management responses be noted and that the above comments be referred to the Scrutiny Advisory Group for consideration.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development seeking the Board’s approval of the final report in relation to the Board’s Inquiry on Major Adaptations for Disabled Adults.

(Draft Report to follow)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report seeking the Board’s approval of the final report in relation to the Board’s Inquiry into Major Adaptations for Disabled People.

Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services was in attendance and responded to Member’s queries and comments.

Discussion ensued on the content of the report and appendices with specific reference to mobility scooters and the lack of housing provision and charging points, especially for elderly people residing in flat accommodation.

The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser agreed to incorporate a relevant reference on this issue within the report and to circulate a copy to the Board for information.

RESOLVED:-

a)  That the content of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That, subject to incorporating a relevant reference on mobility scooters, approval be given to the Board’s Inquiry report into Major Adaptations for Disabled People, in accordance with the report now submitted.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which invites the Board to consider a referral for Scrutiny received from the Executive Board on the role of the voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) in council led community engagement.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report and invited the Board to consider a referral for Scrutiny received from the Executive Board on the role of the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) in Council-led community engagement.

The following representatives were in attendance to responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

• Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services
• Sue Wynne, Head of Regeneration, Policy and Planning

In brief summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• the need for an input from the voluntary sector. It was confirmed that this had been done as part of the inquiry
• whether the report should have been led by the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Board. The Board was advised that the inquiry was broader in scope than just Adult Social Services
• that the Board were not required to endorse the content

RESOLVED:-

(a)  That the content of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That the comments raised at the meeting be fed back to the Executive Board via the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser.

(Joy Fisher declared a personal interest in the above item in her capacity as Chair of the Carers Alliance Group and Chair of Transitional LINK).

To note the following dates and times:-

Wednesday 29^th July 2009

Wednesday 9^th September 2009

Wednesday 7^th October 2009

Wednesday 11^th November 2009

Wednesday 16^th December 2009

Wednesday 13^th January 2010

Wednesday 10^th February 2010

Wednesday 17^th March 2010

Wednesday 14^th April 2010

All at 10.00am (pre- meetings at 9.30am)

RESOLVED – That the following dates be noted:-

Wednesday, 29^th July 2009

Wednesday, 9^th September 2009

Wednesday, 7^th October 2009

Wednesday, 11 November 2009

Wednesday, 16^th December 2009

Wednesday, 13^th January 2010

Wednesday, 10^th February 2010

Wednesday, 17^th March 2010

Wednesday, 14^th April 2010

All at 10.00 am (pre-meetings at 9.30 am)

(The meeting concluded at 12 noon)