Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services setting out the outcomes from the associated consultation exercise which was agreed to be undertaken by Executive Board in September 2015, and which seeks approval for the next steps for the delivery of the Better Lives Strategy.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report presenting the outcomes from the associated consultation exercise which was agreed to be undertaken by Executive Board on 23^rd September 2015 (Minute No. 40 referred), and which sought approval of the next steps for the delivery of the Better Lives Strategy.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults thanked all of those who had participated in the associated consultation process, with specific reference to the contribution of the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Services, Public Health and NHS), partners, stakeholders, Trade Unions, service users and their families, and highlighted how the original proposals had been revised in response to the contributions made.

In addition, detail was provided upon the submitted proposals, which looked to modernise the type of social care that was provided in Leeds, unlock sites for extra care and also enhance intermediate care and complex care provision. The focus that was being placed upon improving the quality of service provided within the private sector was also highlighted.

Members then discussed the key proposals detailed within the report, and with respect to specific enquiries raised around the decommissioning of certain services, the Board was provided with detailed responses to such enquiries. 

Linked to this, Members also discussed the evolving nature of social care provision in the city, with specific reference being made to the role played by the Council, Neighbourhood Networks and private sector providers. The Board also considered matters regarding capacity and quality levels of social care provision, with specific reference being made to the surplus of residential care in the city and the demand which existed for extra care housing. Responding to such comments, emphasis was placed upon the vital role to be played by extra care housing in the future, whilst also, officers undertook to provide Board Members with further details regarding the over-supply of residential care units in the city.

In response to a specific enquiry regarding the content of correspondence which had been received by some service users, it was undertaken that the content of such communications would be reviewed.

Also, given the significant nature of this matter, it was requested that Members were provided with the opportunity to comment upon this matter at the next scheduled Council meeting. In response, it was undertaken that this request, and the portfolio order by which the Executive Board minutes would be considered at the November Council meeting would be submitted to the Group Whips for consideration.

Furthermore, the Board received assurances that the priority for providing any affected service users with alternative provision would be to accommodate the choices of the individual, and that they would be guaranteed to receive a level of provision which was at least equal in quantum and to the standard of their current provision, if not better. In addition, it was highlighted however that should an individual choose provision that was rated less than their current standard, then where appropriate, checks may be undertaken in order to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60