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.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Chapman and Davey.  Councillor P Grahame was in attendance as a substitute for Councillor Davey.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2011

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development informed the Board of a request for scrutiny that had been received from Leeds Local Involvement Network (LINk) concerning the proposal to decommission the Crisis Centre.

The Chair welcomed Mr Paul Truswell to the meeting and he addressed the meeting on behalf of the LINk.  He reported that the issue had been referred to the LINk following the campaign to save the centre and whilst it was acknowledged that it would be difficult to retain the centre and services provided in their current form, there were serious concerns regarding the proposals for complete closure and the process involved in reaching the decision.

He also raised the following issues:

• The Crisis Centre played a vital referral role and support for approximately 500 individuals per year.
• Concern regarding claims that the Crisis Centre provided services that were available elsewhere.
• Suggestion that reduced services could be provided which would give efficiency savings or capital raised through sale of the current property used could be made available.
• The request from LINk that a full formal consultation should have been carried out.

Members discussed the request for scrutiny and reiterated the concerns over consultation and that services weren’t duplicated and there was support to have an inquiry.  It was reported that the decision of the Executive Board to decommission the Crisis Centre had been taken at its meeting of 11 February and that decision would be implemented unless called in.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report and discussion be noted.

(2)  That the Head of Scrutiny and MEmber Development produce draft terms of reference for an Inquiry into the Proposals to Decommission the Crisis Centre

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer for Health and Environmental Action Services

The Board received the following two reports:

• Report of the Chief Executives of all Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs), Belle Isle Tenants Management Organisation (BITMO) and Strategic Landlord which provided information regarding the process for the allocation of capital resources for major adaptations within the respective organisations and a context of historical expenditure and outcomes over the period 2008/09 – 2011/12.
• Report of the Chief Officer for Health and Environmental Action Services which provided performance information on completion time for adaptations.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Claire Warren, Chief Executive, West North West Homes
• Simon Hale, Head of Housing Management, BITMO
• Steve Hunt, Chief Executive, East North East Homes
• John Clark, Chief Executive, Aire Valley Homes
• Simeon Perry, Housing Policy Monitoring Manager
• Andy Beattie, Head of Service, Housing & Pollution Control

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

• East North East Homes reported that savings on adaptations had been made through a new procurement exercise.
• Issues relating to the provision of private sector adaptations:

o  Financial assessment of applicants

o  There was a continued increase in the demand for adaptations

o  Negotiations with suppliers to ensure best cost and quality

• Concern regarding the instance of a 562 day period to install a stairlift – it was reported that this was an exceptional case which included building extension and problems with access to the property.
• Issues relating to the sometimes lengthy periods to complete adaptations – these included delays due to the complex nature of some assessments, planning requirements and prioritisation of cases.
• Targets for the completion of adaptations were set by the Department of Communities and Local Government.
• Working with NHS and other health partners to enable people to return home and prevent bed blocking in hospitals or the requirement for other respite care.
• The referral process for adaptations – preliminary assessments were carried out by Occupational Therapists.
• The use of temporary adaptations and pre-adapted temporary buildings.
• Adaptations were prioritised by Occupational Therapists within their guidelines.
• Certain adaptations could be more costly in the private sector.  Factors affecting this included design and procurement issues.
• Capital allocations for the ALMOs and the BITMO.

RESOLVED – That the reports and discussion be noted.

(Councillor P Grahame declared a personal interest during the discussion on this item due to her position as a Trustee of Crossgates Good Neighbours)

To receive and consider the attached report ot the Director of Adult Social Services

The report of the Director of Adult Social Services updated the Board on the programme of work developed to progress and implement the recommendations of the Executive Board in relation to future options for long-term residential and day care for older people.  It also outlined the findings from the city wide public consultation on the impact of the Comprehensive Spending Review and set out the focus for the inquiry in relation to day care services.

The Chair welcomed Dennis Homes – Deputy Director, Commissioning to the meeting.

Members were reminded that the inquiry had been widened to take account of Day Centre provision and were given a progress update. It was reported that options were still under development for each individual establishment.  These would be shared with all stakeholders when ready and it was hoped to report these to the next meeting of the Board.  Area Committee’s had been consulted to get local views and it was reported that a low response to the corporate consultation did not give a conclusive picture.  There would be further engagement with Town and Parish Councils.  Members attention was brought to the details of consultation events as outlined in the report.

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

• Provision of Extra Care Housing – reference was made to a bid to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) for Extra Care Housing.  It was hoped that at least 300 additional Extra Care Housing units could be provided across the City.
• It was reported that the consultation period had been extended and it was hoped that a report would be submitted to Executive Board in July 2011.
•  The consultation process – this had been available to all stakeholders including staff.  The inclusion of other groups and organisations such as Neighbourhood Networks was also discussed.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report and discussion be noted

(2)  That the focus for the inquiry in relation to day care services as outlined in the report be agreed.

(3)  That future reports to the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) and progress monitoring of this Inquiry as outlined in the paragraph 32 be agreed.

(Councillor S Hamilton left the meeting at 11.30 during the discussion on this item)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Adult Social Services

The report of the Director of Adult Social Services provided the Board with a six monthly progress report on the work of the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board.

Dennis Holmes, Deputy Director – Commissioning presented the report to the Board.  Issues highlighted included the following:

• The annual report of the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board would be published in July.
• A continued increase in the number of referrals to the partnership.
• The appointment of Professor Paul Kingston as Chair of the partnership.
• Progress in respect of requirements to the Mental Capacity Act and associated Deprivation of Liberty safeguards.
• The creation of a Communications and Community Engagement sub group and the adoption of a safeguarding charter.
• Revised procedures for serious case reviews.
• Updates on previous recommendations made by the Board and actions following the independent Wellbeing and Choice Inquiry.

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

• The partnership had representatives from a wide range of organisations including West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service, West Yorkshire Police, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Leeds Partnership Foundation Trust and Adult Social Care.  The partnership aimed to be as inclusive as possible.
• The Care Quality Commissioning rated safeguarding in Leeds as good which recognised that significant progress had been made.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the progress made by the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board be noted and that a further progress report be received in 6 months together with the annual report for 2010/11.

(2)  That the actions of the three recommendations of the Independent Wellbeing and Choice Inquiry and the successful conclusion of action against these actions be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented the conclusions and recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board’s work on Domiciliary Care and Reablement Services.

A draft report of the inquiry had been prepared and Members were asked to agree this report and request that a formal response to the recommendations be provided from the Director of Adult Social Care.

In relation to the domiciliary care, concern was raised that where had been contract/staff changes people had been left with fewer choices and less support and whether there was opportunity to appeal against decisions taken.  It was reported that this would be built into the system for all those who required a full community care assessment.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be agreed.

(2)  That it be requested that a formal response to the recommendations be produced in line with normal procedures for scrutiny inquiry reports.

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

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development detailed the Board’s Work Programme and also contained the Council’s Forward Plan and recent Executive Board minutes.

It was reported that terms of a reference for a proposed inquiry into the Decommissioning of the Crisis Centre would be drafted following the earlier request and Members were reminded of call-in arrangements.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the Executive Board Minutes and Forward Plan be noted.

(2)  That the Board’s Work Programme be agreed and amended as appropriate.

To note that the next meeting of the Board will be held on Wednesday, 16 March 2011 at 10.00 am with a pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am.

Wednesday, 16 March 2011 at 10.00 a.m. Pre-meeting at 9.30 a.m. for all Board Members.

The meeting concluded at 12.20 p.m.