Item 2

AT A MEETING of the SOCIAL CARE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Wednesday, 26 January 2005.

PRESENT

Councillors: Mrs. P.G. Banks (Chairman); Jenny Wride (Vice-Chairman);

Mrs. P. Dickens; Mrs. J.K. Frankum; E.F. Gale, MBE; Mrs. P.G.E. Holden-Brown;

Mrs. P.G. Peskett; Mrs. E.F.M. Randall; Mrs. V. Steel; Mrs. P.A. West.

Also in attendance: Councillors: Felicity Hindson, MBE (Executive Member, Social Care); Mrs. S.M. Glasspool (Executive Member).

207 DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the debate declare their interest, and having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed..

Councillor Mrs. Dickens declared a personal interest in item 9 in that she is employed by the NHS.

208 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 November, 2004 were, subject to the preamble in Minute No. 204 being amended to read as follows:-

The Director of Social Services presented the annual report of adult protection arrangements in Hampshire (Item 10 in the Minute Book). He outlined the joint arrangements with the County Council and Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils and the significant progress made in developing an effective response to the issue of the protection of vulnerable adults from abuse in Hampshire in 2003/04. Members were keen for the issues to be highlighted and requested that the question of adult protection be brought to the attention of the Health Review Committee and asked that those members who observe on Primary Care Trusts should raise its awareness with the Boards and that local County Councillors be invited to Local Adult Protection Action Group meetings.

Confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

(a) Minute No. 196(a) - The Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy for England

The Chairman reported that a letter had not been written to the relevant Minister as events had now overtaken and there was no need for a letter.


(b) Minute No. 200(c) - Children's Residential Services Sub-Group

The Chairman reported that the Vice-Chairman had written to residential care staff thanking them for their hard work and commitment.


(c) Minute No. 204(b) - Annual Report of Adult Protection Arrangements in Hampshire

The Chairman reported that she had spoken to the Health Review Manager and had been advised that this was not an issue for the Health Review Committee.

209 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

(a) Southeast Asia Tsunami

The Chairman reported that, to date, Social Services Department staff had raised £2,000 for the tsunami appeal.

210 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS

There were no members' questions to this meeting.

211 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to this meeting.

212 REVENUE BUDGET 2005/06

The County Treasurer and Director of Social Services presented the Revenue Budget for 2005/06 (Item 6 in the Minute Book). The County Treasurer explained that the budget supported the County Council's corporate aims and its four priorities by focusing financial resources on areas such as improving the quality of life of children in need, vulnerable adults and older people. He also gave details of alternative options. There would be a shortfall in the 2004/05 budget of £1.7m for the completion of the SWIFT project and essential e-government development work, this would be funded by the future generation of capital receipt but, in the short term, would need to be supported by a bridging loan.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Social Care that she RECOMMENDS to the Cabinet the approval of:-

· The revised budget for 2004/05 (as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 of the report).


· The base budget for 2005/06 (as set out in Appendix 3 of the report).


· Proposals for the absorption of cost pressures through the use of efficiency savings (as set out in Appendix 5 of the report).


· The annual review of income and charges (as set out in Appendix 6 of the report).


· Proposals for the use of additional funds (as set out in Paragraph 5.5 of the report) under the "passport" option, together with the broad split between children's and other services.


And that she:


· Draws the Cabinet's attention to the pressures to be dealt with and RECOMMENDS that, given this context, the "mid" and "base" budget options should not be pursued; and


· Requests use of a bridging loan of £1.7m during 2004/05 - 2005/06 in order to enable capital programme pressures to be met through use of expected capital receipts.

213 CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2005/06 TO 2008/09

The County Treasurer and Director of Social Services presented the Capital Programme 2005/06 to 2008/09 (Item 7 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Social Care that she RECOMMENDS to the Cabinet the Capital Programme for 2005/06 to 2008/09.

214 MENTAL HEALTH NATIONAL SERVICE FRAMEWORK : AUTUMN MONITORING 2004

The Director of Social Services presented a report summarising the Autumn Monitoring of the Mental Health National Service Framework 2004 (Item 9 in the Minute Book). Progress had been made across a range of service areas but most key national targets remained to be met, including the need for crises resolution and home treatment terms, early intervention in psychosis and additional staff in primary care.

RESOLVED:

That the report be:

(a) Received and noted.


(b) Presented to the Health Review Committee.

215 PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

The Director of Social Services presented a report describing the Performance Assessment Framework (PAF) process used by the Department of Health to measure national and local performance in giving details of Hampshire's results in 2003/04, highlighting the key achievements and areas for improvement (Item 8 in the Minute Book). Hampshire County Council had retained two star rating for social services. The report covered the annual review letter, results for individual performance indicators, the two star rating awarded to Hampshire Social Services and how this fitted in to both national PAF for social care and the corporate comprehensive performance assessment. Overall Hampshire's Social Services performance against other indicators had improved with some variation between client groups. The County Council was awarded the maximum classification for 11 of the 48 indicators graded; six for child care and five for adults and older people. The minimum classification was only awarded for one indicator.

RESOLVED:

That the report be accepted and the Executive Member for Social Care be requested to investigate ways for improving the service.

216 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OPERATION OF THE COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

The Director of Social Services presented the annual report of the operation of the complaints procedure (Item 10 in the Minute Book). He outlined the proposed changes to the complaints procedure which were due to come into effect on 1 April 2005.

RESOLVED:

That:

(a) The report be accepted.


(b) The proposed changes to the Social Services complaints procedures be noted.

217 MEMBERS' ATTENDANCE AT CONFERENCES

The Chief Executive reported that no members had attended conferences since the last meeting of the Committee.

218 COMMITTEE'S WORK PROGRAMME

The Director of Social Services presented the Committee's forthcoming work programme (Item 12 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

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