Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
5.1 Residential and Non-Residential Care
Charging Policy
The Committee received information in relation to
the Residential and Non- Residential Care Charging Policy as contained within
the circulated report.
Members asked if the funding received from Welsh
Government was sufficient and were informed that the additional funding levels
received are closely monitored to ensure that appropriate amounts are received.
The Committee noted that for cases where
residential care stays exceed 8 weeks but are less than 52 weeks Residential
Charging Assessments are carried out on a temporary (Extended Care) basis and
property is only taken into account when long term placements are required but
will be disregarded in certain circumstances i.e. where a spouse is still
living at the address.
Members were concerned about the potential
situation of charging higher fees to private residents in order to subsidise
Council placements. Officers explained that a framework exists and that this
situation is closely monitored with regular meetings being held with
providers.
It was noted that on-costs are not included in the
fee amounts stated in the circulated report.
Members were reminded that the Council had entered
into a 25 year contract with Pobl Group.
The Committee asked for a list of Care Homes that
provide a service with no ‘top up’ fees and were informed that the nature of
the ‘top up’ is continually monitored.
Members raised concern at the levels of poverty
among
service users and were assured that affordability
is considered and close working links are fostered with colleagues in agencies
such as Welfare Rights, POVA (Protection of Vulnerable Adults) and South Wales
Police.
The Committee discussed why service users do not
share their financial information and noted that they are continually
encouraged to do so but that it remains a personal choice.
Members were reminded that the Pobl
Group could be invited to participate in a scrutiny session and the Committee
looked forward to this session being arranged
Following scrutiny the Committee were supportive of
the proposals to be considered at Cabinet Board.
5.2 Mental Health Services Strategic Delivery
Plan
The Committee received information in relation to
the Mental Health Services Strategic Delivery Plan as contained within the
circulated report.
Members asked officers if they were confident that
progress against the Mental Health action plan could be undertaken in a timely
manner. Officers explained that progress has been slow at times, as working
with other partner agencies can sometimes present challenges with regards to
timescales but that continual feedback on progress would be provided to
Members.
The Committee discussed issues that service users
face when living in supported living accommodation and were encouraged to hear
about the ongoing work with colleagues in the Environment Directorate to
consider all issues such as parking and the street-scene environment.
Members discussed the emphasis of caring for people
in their own homes but were concerned about the services that lay outside of
the Council’s control. Members recognised the importance of a joined up
strategic vision and the role of the Public Services Board in continuing to
prioritise this with partners in Health but recognised the challenging
environment in which the services operate.
Members looked forward to receiving continual
progress reports to future meetings of the Committee as and when they become
available.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive
of the proposals to be considered at Cabinet Board.