ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the ADULT SOCIAL CARE POLICY REVIEW COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle Winchester on Wednesday, 29 March 2006.

PRESENT

Chairman:

p Councillor R.C. McIntosh

Vice-Chairman

p Councillor E.F. Gale, MBE

Councillors:

Also in attendance Councillor Mrs P.G. Banks (Executive Member for Adult Social Care) and Councillor C. Davidovitz (Executive Member for Performance Efficiency and Communications).

47. 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 Kemp-Gee declared a personal interest in Item 8 (Re-Provision of Services at Courtbourn Lodge Older Peoples Home, Farnborough) in that he is a Trustee of Age Concern, Hampshire.

48. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Adult Social Care Policy Review Committee held on 20 January 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

(a) Minute No. 42(b) Revenue Budget 2006/07 and 2007/08

The Chairman reported that only two members had offered their services on a Panel of Members to assess possible reduction in expenditure. However events had now superseded this and a Panel would not now be required.

49. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

(a) Scrutiny

The Chairman reported that the role of the Committee would change and that Members would receive a briefing on the proposed scrutiny function.

50. MEMBERS' QUESTIONS

There were no Members' questions to this meeting.

51. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to this meeting.

52. BUDGET MONITORING 2005/06

The County Treasurer and Director of Adult Services presented a report on the current position with the Adult Services budget 2005/06 (Item 6 in the Minute Book). The projected overspend of £5.5m had increased significantly since the last report to the Committee in January, 2006 and now stood at £11.3m. They outlined the reasons for the increase in the projected deficit, what action was being taken to stabilise the position and the pressures being put on the service. Members appreciated that there were increasing spending pressures being put on the service and welcomed the measures being put in place to stabilise the current position and the Adult Services Budget Extraordinary Review being carried out by the Chief Executive. They requested regular reports on the financial position of the service.

RESOLVED:

That:-

(a) The report be received.


(b) The Committee receives regular updates on the financial position of the Service.


(c) The Executive Member for Adult Social Care be requested to note the Committee's views and take every opportunity to secure additional funding for the service.

53. REVIEW OF EQUITY AND FAIRNESS IN RELATION TO INCOME

The Director of Adult Services presented a report on proposals for changes to the policy for charging for non-residential services for adults (Item 7 in the Minute Book). She outlined the consultation procedure, the proposals for changes to charges and the reasons for making them. Members were of the opinion that they did not have sufficient information to enable them to make a recommendation to the Executive Member for Adult Social Care on the proposals and agreed that a further report should be presented to an additional meeting to allow all factors to be considered. This to include Counsel's opinion as to the legality of Direct Payments Option A and a comparison of current charges with proposed charges.

RESOLVED:

That an additional meeting of the Committee be convened for 9.00 a.m. on Friday, 28 April 2006 to consider the Review of Equity and Fairness in relation to Income and make recommendations to the Executive Member for Adult Social Care.

54. RE-PROVISION OF SERVICES AT COURTBOURN LODGE OLDER PERSONS HOME, FARNBOROUGH

The Director of Adult Services presented a report as part of the consultation process for the re-provision of services at Courtbourn Lodge Older Persons Home (Item 8 in the Minute Book). She stated the reasons for the reprovision, outlined the consultation process that had taken place and replies received to date. Members were keen to see that all residents were adequately catered for when the reprovision took place. They were also keen to see that all proceeds of the future sale of Courtbourn Lodge should remain with Adult Services.

RESOLVED:

That:-

(a) The Executive Member for Adult Social Care should take account of all replies to the consultation before taking a decision on the reprovision of services at Courtbourn Lodge.


(b) It be a RECOMMENDATION to the Executive Member for Adult Social Care that she requests the Executive Member for Policy and Resources to allow Adult Services 100% of the proceeds of the sale of Courtbourn Lodge.

55. MENTAL HEALTH NATIONAL SERVICE FRAMEWORK : AUTUMN ASSESSMENT 2005

The Director of Adult Services presented a report on the findings of the Autumn Monitoring of the Mental Health National Service Framework 2005 (Item 9 in the Minute Book) she summarised the reports findings and progress that had been made in implementing national targets.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and noted.

56. USE OF MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1983 2004/05

The Director of Adult Services presented a report summarising the work undertaken by Approved Social Workers in relation to assessments under the Mental Health Act 1985, including the County Council's use of Guardianship under the Mental Health Act. (Item 10 in the Minute Book) she explained the County Council's duties under the Act and the powers and purpose of guardianship.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and noted.

57. COMMITTEE'S WORK PROGRAMME

The Director of Adult Services presented the committee's forthcoming work programme (Item 11 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and noted.

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