Present at the meeting:
- Councillor K Anderson (Healthier Communities and Older People Champion)
- Councillor R M Bleakley
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor Mrs S Dewhurst
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor Mrs J Hurst
- Councillor Mrs J M Peet
- Councillor Mrs J Prescott
- Councillor J Talbot
- Mrs E Berry (Co-opted Member)
- Mrs J Garlick (Co-opted Member)
48 Apologies for absence: Councillors K W McManus and M W Winstanley, Mr A Stephenson and Mrs M Burgess (Co-opted Members) and Mr P Halsall (Substitute Co-opted Member).
49 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 22 January 2008 were approved as a correct record.
50 Transforming social care: The Panel considered a report on the recent government circular entitled: ‘Transforming Social Care’ (LAC (DH) (2008)1), which referred to a new specific grant in order to transform social care. The Panel also received a presentation on its implications for the Council over the next three years. People who use social care services and their families would increasingly shape and commission their own services. In the longer term everyone eligible for statutory support should have a personal budget and a clear and transparent allocation of resources.
Members asked questions to which the Director of Adult Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel:
- notes the report now submitted and thanks the Director of Adult Services for the presentation; and
- requests the Director of Adult Services to arrange a seminar on Transforming Social Care for all Members of the Council early in the new Municipal year.
51 Annual report of access grants 2007/08: The Panel considered a report, which was to be submitted to Cabinet, on access grants approved in the financial year 2007/08 and proposing amendments for the future operation of the scheme.
Members asked questions to which the Director of Adult Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel endorses the report now submitted.
(Mrs E Berry declared a personal and non prejudicial interest in this item because she is the retired Honorary Secretary/Treasurer of Unison).
52 Fair access to care – eligibility criteria: The Panel considered a report, which had been approved by Cabinet at minute 307 dealing with Members on the annual review of eligibility criteria in line with the budgetary cycle. The eligibility criteria would be maintained at that of critical and substantial need.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
53 Supported Employment Service: The Panel considered a report on the results of an Ofsted inspection of supported employment services undertaken in December 2007. The Supported Employment Service had achieved a level of Grade 1 Outstanding.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted and acknowledges the successful outcome of the Ofsted inspection.
54 Adult Services improvement plan: The Panel considered a report on the completion of the projects set out in the Adult Services improvement plan. The improvement plan had delivered significant improvements in the use of resources.
Members asked questions to which the Director of Adult Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel accepts the report now submitted.
(Councillor Mrs J Prescott declared a prejudicial interest because of her employment in a care home and left the meeting during the discussion thereon).
55 Adult Services quarterly performance update: quarter 3 2007/08: The Panel considered a report on the second quarter performance against performance indicators and service plan tasks during 2007/08. The service plan described the work programme for the Adult Services Department as the means of delivering on its local and national priorities
A Member asked questions to which the Director of Adult Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
56 Questions by Members: There were none.
57 Vote of thanks: Agreed: The best thanks of this Panel are extended to the Cabinet Champion and the Officers for the excellent services rendered by them during the past Municipal Year.
