Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the call-in meeting.

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 has a relative who works in the Independent Sector (Agenda Item 7) (Minute 79  refers)

·  Councillor S Hamiliton in her capacity as an employee of the Leeds NHS Trust (Agenda Item 7) (Minute 79 refers)

·  Joy Fisher in her LINk capacity (Agenda Item 7) (Minute 79 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors P Davey, A Hussain , K Renshaw and B Smithson (Co-optee).

Notification had been received for Councillor P Grahame to substitute for Councillor P Davey; Councillor R Grahame to substitute for Councillor A Hussain and for Councillor J Lewis to substitute for Councillor K Renshaw.

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

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

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

Option 1 – Release the decision for implementation.  Having reviewed the decision, the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) could decide to release it for implementation.  If this option was chosen, the decision would be released for immediate implementation and the decision could not be called-in again.

Option 2 – Recommend that the decision be reconsidered.  Having

reviewed the decision, the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) 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 Executive

Board.

In the case of an Executive Board decision, the report of the Scrutiny Board

will be presented to the next available meeting. The Executive Board will

reconsider its decision and will publish the outcome of its deliberations within

the minutes of the meeting.  The decision may not be Called In again whether

or not it was varied.

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

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

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report, together with background papers, relating to a review of a decision made by the Executive Board on 11^th February 2011 in relation to a proposal to decommission a Non-Statutory Mental Health Counselling Service known as the Leeds Crisis Centre.

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

·  Copy of completed Call-In request form

·   Report of the Director of Adult Social Services

·  Copy of the  Equality Impact Assessment – Leeds Crisis Centre

·  Relevant extract of Executive Board Minutes of 11^th February 2011

The decision had been called-in for review by Councillors G Latty, P Latty, M Lobley, J Matthews, M Robinson and R Wood on the grounds that consultation had not been as wide or through as it should have been and whether or not all options were considered.

Councillors G Latty and J Matthews attended the meeting and gave evidence to the Board as to why they had called this item in and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

The following representatives were also in attendance:-

Paul Truswell, representing Leeds LINk

Jeremy Pritlove representing Save Leeds Crisis Centre

Philomena Corrigan (Executive Director of Strategy and Commissioning) –NHS Leeds

Councillor L Yeadon, Executive Member, Adult Health and Social Care

Sandie Keene, Director of Adult Social Services

John Lennon, Chief Officer (Access and Inclusion), Adult Social Services

In summary, the main points raised by Councillor G Latty, Councillor J Matthews, Paul Truswell and Jeremy Pritlove were:-

·  The need to reconsider the Executive Board decision to close the Leeds Crisis Centre

·  The concerns expressed regarding the inadequate consultation and the need to give Adult Social Care more time to consult and engage with service users and staff

·  The proposed timeline for closure and the seemingly absence of alternative provision

·  The ‘unique’ status of the Leeds Crisis Centre and the model of care provided at the Crisis Centre  which was a social model rather than a medical model

·  The need for a clear defined pathway for referrals to be introduced to avoid closure

·  Clarification of the details contained within the Impact Assessment report

·  The absence of any consideration of a reduced service within the Centre

In explaining the reasons for the Executive Board decision, the Executive Member, Adult Health and Social Care; Director of Adult Social Services and the Chief Officer (Access and Inclusion), Adult Social Services made specific reference to the following main comments:-

•   Statistical evidence regarding patient throughput, referral routes and outcomes

·  The need to make severe financial cuts within Adult Social Services resulting from the agreed 2011/12 Budget

·  The view expressed that service users would have access to alternative provision  should the Centre be disbanded

The Chair also invited Philomenia Corrigan, (Executive Director of Strategy and Commissioning) – NHS Leeds to comment on the proposals from the NHS Leeds perspective.

The Chair then invited questions and comments from Board Members to; Philomenia Corrigan; Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

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

Following consideration of evidence presented to them, the Board passed the following resolution:-

RESOLVED –

a)  That the Executive Board decision taken on 11^th February 2011 in relation 

  to this matter be immediately released for implementation (i.e. Option 1).

b)  That the Board’s Inquiry into this matter be continued with further work to

  be undertaken in relation to an exit strategy being implemented for the

  Leeds Crisis Centre.

To note that the next meeting of the Board will be held on ??? at 10.00 am with a pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am.

Wednesday 16^th March 2011 at 10.00am (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.10pm)