Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
i.
NPT Homes Progress Update to April 2016
Members
considered a report that was presented by the Chief Executive of NPT Homes who
informed Members that the report was the latest six month update report on progress
against the promises made on transfer of the Council’s housing stock.
Members
were informed that a great deal of work had been undertaken to engage with
tenants to understand what they require. The end result has been the service is
being delivered within budget.
Information
was provided on how services were being delivered differently.
For example, ABMU were holding pain clinics were now held in communal areas
within sheltered accommodation rather than at the hospital. The accommodation
is provided free of charge but the benefits outweigh the costs.
Members
noted that a great deal of work had been undertaken with regard Universal
Credit and NPT Homes has developed close links with the Council, Department for
Work and Pensions and Job Centre Plus with a view to assisting tenants. In
relation to the bedroom tax all affected tenants were offered up to three
separate meetings with financial advisors to address any issues.
Members
asked whether the number of cases for Universal Credit (UC) was on the increase
and how this would affect the organisation. It was confirmed that although only
around 100 tenants had been put onto UC this would increase to over 4,000 by
2021. The rate of increase will quicken as Government changes the groups subject
to Universal Credit however, the final date for all people to be transitioned onto
the system is 2021.
The
progress against the promises was noted by Members who asked for assurance that
the works required to take every house to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard
would be done by March 2017. It was confirmed that the works could be completed
by September however, NPT homes had taken a decision to scale back the works
and aim for the March completion date as this would mean there would not be a
large amount of job losses in one single point in time. By using the original
timescales it will allow the workers to find alternative work through different
contracts.
Members
confirmed that there had been numerous representations made in relation to damp
within houses following the addition of cavity wall insulation (which was
undertaken prior to stock transfer). It was confirmed that NPT Homes were aware
of this and work was being undertaken to address it. Members requested that a
report be brought back to a future meeting on the number of cases of damp and
the timescales for rectifying the problems.
Following
scrutiny the report was noted.
ii.
Direct Service – Community Integrated Model
Members
considered a report that asked them to agree to one of three options for the
future of Direct Services.
Members
were advised that this was the next step in the transforming adult social care
programme that had been running for 3 years. Members were advised that there
were no areas that would be left alone and all service areas would be reviewed
at some point.
Officers
stated that if Option One was selected then services would continue to be
provided but there would be a need to identify £750,000 funding to address the
maintenance backlog on the respective premises.
Members
were advised that the consultation undertaken had been unprecedented and had
been extensive and genuine and all the responses were reflected in the report. It
was confirmed that there was a small minority of people who were vocal against
any changes but this was to be expected when change is suggested.
It
was agreed that Option One would be the easiest option to take but the finance
to continue would need to be found from elsewhere and this was not thought to
be achievable.
Members
queried information contained within the report with regards eligibility for
services and in particular any who may be potentially ineligible. Clarity was
sought on the possible numbers and would the individuals have a right of
appeal. Officers stated that any individual who needs a service would require
an assessment and there will be certain individuals who will not receive the
same package that they currently have. It was agreed that there will be some
form of formal review service to be set up to ensure that people will get what
they require even if it is delivered in a different way.
Officers
confirmed that there would also be a right of appeal for individuals.
Members
raised concerns about individuals who may not be able to express an opinion due
to their needs and are these included within the 18 identified as individuals
with significant need. Officers confirmed that the individuals are treated the
same as any other case with the only difference being specialist social workers
assess these cases to ensure that the package in place meets the individual’s
needs.
It
was noted that within the report it was mentioned that potentially there could
be an adverse effect on some carers and also some carers will see an impact on
their current provision. Concern was also raised that risk management did not
mention this possibility and Members asked for assurance that the Council would
not be challenged on this in the future. Officers stated that with all change
there will be risks but the key is how the risks are managed. The main issue
will be that an in depth assessment will be undertaken which will ensure that
needs are met.
Further
concern was raised in relation to transport particularly around the statement
contained within the report that transport may be “logistically and financially
unviable”. It was confirmed that this would be one of the main changes in that
a transport assessment would now be undertaken at the same time as a needs
assessment. Transport would now be seen as an assessed need and not as a given.
Members
asked whether it would be possible for everyone affected to be allocated a
social worker to undertake the assessment and develop support. Officers
confirmed that there were sufficient resources available to undertake this
work. An example was provided that if a social worker had 30 cases then they
would be able to see their clients once every 15 days, but this was not a
problem. Further confirmation was given that meetings had been held with the
Social Work teams and they themselves had confirmed they could cope. It was
further stressed that there never have been nor there ever be
proposals on the table to reduce the amount of social workers.
Members
noted that during the consultation many consultees
had referred to the value of a base, referring to the sense of familiarity and
friendship. Members asked if assurance could be given that if option 3 was
selected then expressed need will be satisfied. It was confirmed that assessed
need will be met through completion of the assessment. It should be further
highlighted though that individuals will continue to meet with their friends
but also this was an opportunity to perhaps extend the friendship and continue
it in a different way.
Members
noted the excellent work that Your Voice had undertaken on the consultation.
With this in mind Members thought that it would be useful for them to undertake
a visit to Monmouthshire to see how the services are run there. It was agreed
that this will be arranged in the near future.
Members
asked whether the “clubbing together” was the best way for service users to
access services. It was confirmed that this was the case. Members were further
advised that this is not about cutting or removing services but delivering them
in a different way.
Members
asked why was Patch being closed as a community facility and it was confirmed
that Patch is a closed facility for people with learning disabilities and was
not a community facility.
Further
assurances were made that if the decision to go ahead with option 3 was taken
then implementation would not be rushed and that there was significant work to
be undertake to get it right.
Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of Option Three to be considered by
Cabinet Board.