Agenda and minutes

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.

Councillor E Taylor declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11, Terms of Reference, Inquiry into ‘Supporting Working Age Adults with Severe and Enduring Mental Health Problems’ due to her employment with the NHS – Minute No. 39 refers.

Councillor J Chapman declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11, Terms of Reference, Inquiry into ‘Supporting Working Age Adults with Severe and Enduring Mental Health Problems’ due to having a relative employed in a private sector care home – Minute No. 39 refers.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Mrs R Feldman, A Gabriel, J McKenna, F Robinson and A Taylor.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th July 2009 and the Special meeting on 20^th August 2009.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 July 2009, be confirmed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

Minute No.20 – Leeds Local Involvement Network (LINk) – Annual Report (2008/09) – final bullet point be amended to read ‘Clarification that membership of the Steering Group was open to all Patients, Carers and Service Users’

(2)  That the minutes if the meeting held on 20 August 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute 20 – Leeds Local Involvement Network (LINk) – Annual Report (2008/09)

It was reported that a financial breakdown would be provided to Members in September.

Minute 21 – Leeds Strategic Plan Performance Report for Quarter 4 2008/09

The format currently being trialled would be brought to the Proposals Working Group on 29 September 2009.

Minute 23 – Independence Wellbeing and Choice Inspection Audit

The Independence Wellbeing and Choice Action Plan would be brought to the Proposals Working Group on 29 September 2009.

Minute 29 – Older Peoples Day Services and Day Services for People with Learning Disabilities

Members were made aware of information that had been requested and that would be circulated prior to the October meeting.  This focussed on the following:

·  Broken down by different sectors/groups, how many people have been refused day care and in which centres and on what grounds?

·  How many people have started going to day centres in the past 12 months, by day centre?

·  For each day centre a breakdown of where people are travelling from to attend.

·  Statistical representations of the 'Average day care attendance'.

In response to concerns regarding the proposed day centre closures and the potential impact on Neighbourhood Networks, it was reported that there was regular consultation with the Neighbourhood Networks and further investment had been made.  There was spare capacity across services and all day centre users would be offered alternative placements where necessary.

Further discussion included the reporting of day centre provision to Area Committees and the consultation process.  It was reported that all Area Committees had been contacted regarding the consultation and Members would be informed of which Area Committees would be receiving reports.  Alternative uses of day centre buildings would be considered as part of the consultation and further information on commissioning would be brought to the Board in October.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement which provides key Adult Social Care performance data for quarter 1.  Furthermore to consider the year end position for 2008/09, data provided at the request of the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) meeting on 29 July 2009.

The report of the Head of Policy, Performance and  Improvement provided key Adult Social Care performance data for quarter 1.  Leeds Adult Social Care Quarter 1 performance had shown an overall improvement on last year’s out-turn and benchmarking information had shown that in a number of areas that Leeds Adult Social Care was among the best performers nationally.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services
• Stuart Cameron-Strickland, Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement (Adult Social Care)
• Marilyn Summers, Senior Performance Manager

It was reported that the only area of significant concern was with regard to Delayed Transfers of Care and this was an issue with data quality, in general the department is in a good position.  Work was ongoing with Health Service partners to address this and the complex national criteria involved.  Other areas where performance was poor in comparison to other authorities were brought to members attention and it was reported that robust action plans had been developed to maintain progress.  Year on year improvements had been noted across the range of performance indicators.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Personalised care for those 14 years and over – there were various issues surrounding this and the Board would be considering transition from Children’s to Adult Social Care at a future meeting.
• Staff qualifications and re-profiling of the workforce.

RESOLVED – That the report and Quarter 1 Performance Information be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Adult Social Services which provides the Board with an update on the MCA and DofL Safeguards and how this legislation had been implemented in Leeds.

The report of the Director of Adult Social Services provided the Board with an update on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. A copy of the Leeds Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy Service (LIMCAs) Annual Report was appended to the agenda.

Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services and David Shields, Programme Manager were present for this item.

Members attention was brought to the following key points:

• Joint requirements with the PCT to meet requirements of Deprivation of Liberty provisions.
• Available funding.
• The Care Quality Commission (CQC) request for data regarding progress on the implementation of the Act and monitoring the progress.
• Achievements made to date.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Grant allocation and budget planning in light of NHS funding potentially ceasing after 2009 and Government funding ceasing after 2011 – many government funding streams were due to end in 2011 and a comprehensive spending review would take place.  Some of the costs detailed in the report were ‘setting up’ costs and would not be needed in future years.
• Activity in relation to Deprivation of Liberty referrals and the procedures involved.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report and key features highlighted be noted.

(2)  That the progress made in implementing the Act and its associated requirements along with the highlighted examples of progress highlighted in the Articulate Advocacy report be recognised.

(3)  That the Board receives a further update in 9 months time, when a full year of Deprivation of Liberty activity data will be available for full consideration.

To receive and consider a report from the Deputy Director Adult Social Care – Strategic Commissioning which provides information submitted to the Care Quality Commission as part of the performance assessment.

The report of the Deputy Director of Adult Social Care – Strategic Commissioning informed the Board of the Adult Social Services Self Assessment Survey (SAS) which was submitted to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in May 2009 as part of the annual performance assessment.

Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services and Stuart Cameron-Strickland, Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement were in attendance for this item.

Members attention was brought to the 7 main outcomes of the inspection and results of the 2007/08 CSCI inspection were compared to the 2008/09 Self Assessment rating.  It was reported that the outcomes were partly judged on capacity to improve and enabling change and leadership  - this involved the role of Officers and Elected Members.  Other areas concerned included value for money and use of resources.  Engagement had been undertaken with service users as part of the assessment and with other partners including the voluntary, community and faith sector.  Should the assessment be agreed, it would increase the status of the service.

In response to Members’ comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• How to improve the overall status– it was reported that excellent ratings would be required in 4 of the outcomes to move up to an overall excellent rating of the service.
• The need to increase personalisation and Direct Payments to improve the rating for Outcome 4 : Increased Choice and Control. It was noted that by March 2010 100 % of  new service users would have to be offered the option of a personal budget. 
• Comparisons with other core cities – this information would be made available to Members.
•  Each Year improvement was measured against higher required standards than in the  previous year.
• Funding issues.

RESOLVED – That the report and summaries of performance improvement be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which updates the Board on the response from the Director(s) and Executive Board.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development detailed the responses of the Directors of the Adult Services and Environment and Neighbourhoods to the Board’s Inquiry into Major Adaptations for Disabled Adults.  It was reported that the Executive Board had approved the recommendations to these responses at its meeting on 26 August 2009.

Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services and Andy Beattie, Head of Housing and Pollution Control were in attendance for this item.

Disappointment was expressed at the number of recommendations only partially agreed by the Departments, and particularly in relation to Recommendation 9 regarding planning guidance for Lifetime Homes Standards which had not been agreed.  It was reported that the Executive Board had agreed that officers offer a more robust response to recommendation 9, which falls under the responsibility of the Director of Development .

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which sets out the draft terms of reference, scope of the inquiry and the proposed submission of evidence.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development detailed the scope, timetable and submission of evidence into the planned inquiry into Supporting Working Age Adults with Severe and Enduring Mental Health Problems.  The Executive Board Member and Director of Adult Social Services had been consulted regarding the Inquiry and had welcomed the proposals.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted and the terms of reference into the Supporting Working Age Adults with Severe and Enduring Mental Health Problems Inquiry be noted.

(2)  That it be noted that the terms of reference may incorporate additional information during the inquiry should the working group of the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) identify any further scope for inquiry within the area of Supporting Working Age Adults with Severe and Enduring Mental Health Problems.

(Councillor Fox left the meeting at 12.05 p.m. following the conclusion of this item).

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which outlines the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the remainder of the current municipal year.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which detailed the Board’s Work Programme.  Also attached to the report was a copy of the Council’s Forward Plan and recent Executive Board minutes.

Members were given a recap of issues discussed earlier in the meeting which would be followed up and included the following:

• Further information on Performance Indicators.
• Area Committee consultation on Day Centres.
• That the Board receive a further report on the Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty in 9 months time.
• With regard to minutes 37 comparative Core Cities data.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That general progress reported at the meeting be noted.

(2)  That the work programme be amended as appropriate and agreed.

Wednesday, 7^th October 2009 at 10.00 am with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am.

Wednesday, 7 October 2009 at 10.00 a.m. (pre-meeting for Members at 9.30 a.m.)