Present at the meeting:
- Councillor K Cunliffe (Cabinet Champion)(In the Chair)
- Councillor R M Bleakley
- Councillor N A Bradbury
- Councillor G M Bretherton
- Councillor Mrs S Dewhurst
- Councillor M A Dewhurst
- Councillor G W Fairhurst
- Councillor Mrs S J Greensmith
- Councillor K W McManus
- Councillor Mrs J M Peet
- Mr P Halsall (Co-opted Member)
1 Welcome to new Members: The Chairman, on behalf of the Panel, extended a warm welcome to Councillors N A Bradbury, G W Fairhurst, S J Greensmith and R T Splaine and Mr P Halsall, Mr A Kendrick and Mr S Oliver, new Members of the Panel.
2 Apologies for absence: Councillors R T Splaine and J Talbot, and Mrs E J Berry, Mrs M Burgess, Mr A Kendrick and Mr S Oliver (Co-opted Members).
3 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Panel held on 11 March 2008 were approved as a correct record.
4 Introduction to the Adult Services Department: The Panel received a report from the Director of Adult Services providing details of the structure of the Adult Services Department, together with the Concordat ‘Putting People First’, which outlined the policy context of adult social care.
Members were informed of events which would take place in Wigan and Leigh during National Carers Week (9-15 June 2008).
Members asked questions, to which the Director of Adult Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel:
- notes the report now submitted; and
- requests the Director of Adult Services to provide a report on staff sickness levels to the next meeting of the Adult Services Panel.
5 Adult Services commissioning strategy – implementation date: The Panel considered a report, which was to be submitted to Cabinet, on the progress in implementing the Adult Services Commissioning Strategy 2007/10.
Members asked questions, to which the Director of Adult Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
6 Extra Care housing: The Panel considered a report briefing Members on Extra Care housing developments in Wigan. Extra Care housing was a type of accommodation that enabled people with care and/or support needs to remain in their own home for the remainder of their life, regardless of changes in their care needs, if they so desired.
Agreed: The Panel notes the report now submitted.
7 Mental health day services: The Panel considered a report on developments in mental health day services. The improvements in day services for mental health needs were aimed at improving levels of recovery and access to work, but the changes were causing concern particularly to several people who attend Tunstall House, Pemberton. The Panel expressed concerns regarding the mental health day services review, particularly with regard to Tunstall House.
Members asked questions, to which the Director of Adult Services responded.
Agreed: The Panel:
- notes the report now submitted; and
- requests the Director of Adult Services to make arrangements for Members of the Adult Services Panel to visit Tunstall House and other mental health day centres in the near future.
8 Single Commissioning Agency – Joint Shadow Board – Minutes13 February 2008: The minutes of the Single Commissioning Agency – Joint Shadow Board were submitted for information. Members were informed that the Joint Director of Commissioning, Strategy and Partnership would be appointed in June.
Agreed: The Panel accepts the minutes of the Single Commissioning Agency – Joint Shadow Board dated 13 February 2008
9 Questions by Members: There were none.
