Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence and to note the attendance of any substitute members.

The Panel noted the attendance of the following substitute member:

            Councillor Brossard for Councillor Blatchford.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on 1 December 2009.

The Chairman thanked the Director of Adult Social Care and Health and his team for the services provided during the severe winter weather.

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on 1 December 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, including the existence and nature of the party whip, in respect of any matter to be considered at this meeting.

There were no declarations of interest relating to any items on the agenda, nor any indications that members would be participating whilst under the party whip.

Any other items which, pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman decides are urgent.

There were no urgent items of business.

The Care Quality Commission's (CQCs) local area manager for Berkshire, Tim Inkson, will explain the new CQC system for local authorities to input their views on the performance of health and social care public bodies. Related guidance recently issued by the CQC is attached.

The Panel noted that Tim Inkson, local area manager for the Care Quality Commission in Berkshire, was not able to attend this meeting but would attend the next meeting of the Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 2 March 2010.

To consider key themes and priorities for the Adult Social Care and Health Department as outlined in the Council’s Draft Budget Proposals for 2010/11.

The Director of Adult Social Care and Health gave a presentation in respect of the Council’s Draft Budget Proposals for 2010/11.

In year savings had been achieved via reductions in staff related expenditure, such as delaying a month or more before recruiting to a vacant post. The Primary Care Trust had assumed responsibility for the cost of some continuing health care which had benefitted the Council’s financial position.

The Commitment Budget included a 60% saving through modernising Home Care, Learning Disability Initiatives and an Area Based Grant increase of £18,000. There had been a reduction on most grants but the Carers and Mental Health grants had seen increases.

Demographic pressures in the Borough included an increase in the number of older people, and the number of young people previously supported by the Children, Young People and Learning Department turning 18 years old and moving onto the Adult Social Care and Health Department for support. Demographic pressures also included people who encountered injury or illness and needed support such as those with dementia.

Draft budget proposal savings included Better Commissioning, The Look In, and Day Care. Better commissioning for domiciliary care for older people would be sought. A consolidated hourly rate of £14.40 had been set and letters sent to agencies offering this rate. An estimated £110,000 could be saved with no reduction in service.

The Look In received an annual income of £70,000, however the cost of food was £24,000, equipment rental was approximately £24,000 and staff salaries cost £83,000. Subsequently there was a subsidy of £60,000. Costs had increased by 15% in two years and the subsidy had been reduced slightly. Charities had been approached regarding the possibility of running The Look In under the Council’s terms and conditions and possibly with rate relief from the Council. There was potential for The Look In to be run in a different way with a paid co-ordinator and volunteers.

It was noted that a paper on modernising day care would go to the Executive on 19 January to launch a 13 week consultation to look at future options. The proposal was to provide support in a more cost effective way and to look at alternatives such as voluntary sector service options. The Downside Resource Centre had been closed for some time due to issues with the water system but interim measures would remain in place until after the consultation in case an alternative option for the centre was found.

In the Capital Programme £40,000 had been committed for Adult Social Care computer software which was due to be implemented next month. There was £335,000 in the Capital Programme for the Carers Accommodation Strategy and the suitability of the Eastern Road day services building would be investigated. One possibility would be to move the community team currently based at Waymead to an alternative Town Centre location and to use Waymead Short Term Care Unit for a support related function. There was also £155,000 of smaller grants from central government in the Capital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.