Agenda and minutes

The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed everyone in attendance.  The Chair advised:

·  The purpose of the meeting was to consider the called-in Executive Board decision regarding the future of Residential Care for Older People in Leeds.

·  In addition to those members who had ‘called-in’ the decision, a number of other concerns had been raised by some groups representing specific care homes.

·  As part of the Scrutiny Board’s deliberations, it was intended to consider all the concerns raised and brought to the attention of the Scrutiny Board.

The Chair outlined the proposed order in which the Scrutiny Board would consider the information, at the appropriate time during the meeting.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local

Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to accept the following supplementary information in relation to agenda item 7 (Minute No. 42 refers):

-  Adult Social Care Briefing Paper: Request for Scrutiny – Better Lives for People in Leeds – residential and day care for older people

-  Appeal against decision to close Primrose Hill Care Home

-  Response to Primrose Hill Care Home Campaign Appeal

-  E-mail correspondence received in relation to the future of residential and day care for older people

-  Adult Social Care Briefing Paper: Manorfield House submission – Better Lives for People in Leeds – residential and day care for older people

-  Adult Social Care Briefing Paper: Pre-Scrutiny e-mail from Helen Ryder

The above documents were not available at the time of agenda despatch, but were subsequently made available on the Council’s website.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

An apology for absence was submitted by Councillor S Varley.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development advising the Scrutiny Board on the procedural aspects of Calling In the decision.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report in relation to the procedural aspects of the call in process.

Members were advised that the options available to the Scrutiny Board in respect of this particular called in decision were:

Option 1 – Release the decision for implementation – Having reviewed the decision, the Scrutiny Board (Health and Well-being and Adult Social Care) may decide to release it for implementation.  If the Scrutiny Board chooses this option, the decision will be immediately released for implementation and the decision may not be called in again.

Option 2 – Recommend that the decision be reconsidered – The Scrutiny

Board may decide to recommend to the decision maker that the decision be reconsidered.  If the Scrutiny Board chooses this option a report will be submitted to the decision maker.

RESOLVED – That the report outlining the call in procedures be noted.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting background papers to an Executive Board decision which has been called in in accordance with the Council’s Constitution in relation to the future of Residential Care for Older People and responses to Deputations to Leeds City Council by supporters of residents of Manorfield House and Primrose Hill care homes.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report, together with relevant background papers, in relation to an Executive Board decision dated 4 September 2013 in relation to ‘Better Lives for People in Leeds: report on the future of Residential Care for Older People and responses to Deputations to Leeds City Council by supporters of residents of Manorfield House and Primrose Hill care homes’.

The decision had been called in for review by Councillors G Latty, A Lamb,

B Anderson, P Wadsworth, D Cohen and D Collins on the following grounds:

‘We have concerns about the implications for residents of Leeds who require dementia services. The closure of Musgrave Court could create a significant lack of places for older people requiring specialist dementia care and we are concerned that this eventuality has not been properly considered.  Mixing individuals requiring dementia care in a standard residential home setting is not appropriate and we have concerns that this could become a reality.  What has not been made clear are what plans are in place to deal with this.

Furthermore, closing homes in areas where there is no alternative provision could leave people living in those communities with no local provision of residential care. This will mean that old and vulnerable people could end up located away from their friends and families, isolated from the networks that they rely on.

In addition, what will happen to residents of Primrose Hill and Manorfield House care homes as the number of residents begins to reduce over time?  Will there be a situation where 1 or 2 individuals are left occupying a home that was intended for far more residents?  What will the running costs amount to?  What staffing arrangements can cope with this situation and will the answer be to close the home?  Has any thought been given for alternative use for the space in the homes?’

The Scrutiny Board considered the following written evidence:

-  Copy of the completed Call In request form and supporting information

-  Report of the Director of Adult Social Care presented to Executive Board at its meeting on 4 September 2013 (including background documents)

-  Relevant extract from the draft minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 4 September 2013

-  A Request for Scrutiny submitted by GMB.

The following Members and officers attended the meeting:

-  Councillor G Latty, Signatory to the call in

-  Councillor A Lamb, Signatory to the call in

-  Councillor D Collins, Signatory to the call in

-  Councillor A Ogilvie, Executive Member, Adult Social Care

-  Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services

-  Dennis Holmes, Deputy Director of Adult Social Services.

The following representatives attended the request for scrutiny aspect of the meeting:

-  David Morton, Save Primrose Hill Care Home Campaign

-  Angela Morton, Save Primrose Hill Care Home Campaign

-  Parish Councillor Tim Baker, Boston Spa Parish Council

-  Councillor Ryk Downes, Ward Member for Otley and Yeadon

-  Julia Chapman, Friends of Manorfield House

-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

In accordance with Scrutiny Board Procedure Rules, to consider the Board’s formal conclusions and recommendations arising from the consideration of the called-in decision.

Following on from the conclusion of the previous item, members considered each specific element of the Executive Board’s decision relating to the future of residential care for older people in Leeds. 

The Chair proposed that the decision should be released for implementation (i.e. Option 1). 

Members of the Scrutiny Board voted on that proposal and the outcome of the vote was as follows:

Option 1 – 4 in favour, 2 against and 1 abstention. Therefore the proposal to release the decision for implementation was carried and no other voting was necessary.

Following the vote to release the decision for implementation, reassurance was sought that further consideration would be given to the issues around respite care and intermediate care discussed at the meeting, which would not prejudice the Executive Board decision now released.  The Director of Adult Social Services committed to undertake further work in this regard.

RESOLVED – To release the decision for implementation.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor S Lay required it to be recorded that he voted against releasing the decision for implementation)

Wednesday, 30 October 2013 at 10.00am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30am)

Wednesday 30 October 2013 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

The Chair thanked all those in attendance for their contribution to the meeting and declared the meeting closed.

(The meeting concluded at 3.55pm)