12. 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

13. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Committee held on 19 January 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

14. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

a. Lead Scrutineers

The Chairman reported that Members had been

circulated with a request for individuals to take the lead on

various scrutiny topics and asked for volunteers to take on

these roles. The following Members volunteered their

services:

Councillor Dowden - Vulnerable Adults

Councillor Neal - Person Centred Care

Councillor Hughes - Carers

Councillor Mrs. McNair Scott - Wellbeing and Independence

Councillor Mrs. Porter - Safety

Councillor Mrs Rolling - Social Inclusion

b. Committee Name

The Chairman reported that at a recent meeting

between Executive Members Policy Review Committee

Chairmen and HATs Chairmen it was proposed that

Policy Review Committees would be renamed Select

Committees.

15. FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF ADULT SERVICES

DIRECT PAYMENT CLIENTS

The County Treasurer presented a report on how financial

assessments for Direct Payments were carried out (Item 4 in

the Minute Book). He explained the background to Direct

Payments and what they were, the basis for financial

assessments and how they were conducted and the size of the

operation. Once assessed clients were written to annually

confirming their assessment and requested to advise of any

changes in circumstances which would require reassessment,

clients were able to report changes in circumstances at any

time. Members were advised that, to date, no complaints had

been received about assessments but requested an annual

report on complaints about the service including cases of

fraud and appeals against decisions.

RESOLVED:

That the County Treasurer be requested to report

annually to the Committee on complaints received about the

financial assessment service including cases of

fraud and appeals against decisions.

16. FEEDBACK FROM SCRUTINY TOPIC BRIEFING

WORKSHOPS

The Chief Executive presented a report giving a feedback from the briefing workshops on Making the Best of the Third Sector (Voluntary, Community and Faith) in Hampshire County Council Public Services and Access to Mental Health Services by People with Alcohol Problems (Item 5 in the Minute Book). Members gave details of what areas of questioning they envisaged would need to be asked in respect of each of the proposed reviews. It was agreed that full scrutiny should be carried out on each topic with the alcohol focus broadened to alcohol services including access to mental health. The consensus of opinion was that Access to Alcohol Services should be reviewed first. Councillors Mrs. McNair Scott and Mrs Porter agreed to assist the Scrutiny Officer in preparing for this.

RESOLVED:

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee that reviews be carried out on Access to Alcohol Services including access to Mental Health Services and Making the Best of the Third Sector (Voluntary, Community and Faith) in Hampshire County Council Public Services.

17. PRE-SCRUTINY - DEPARTMENT DECISION LISTS

The Chief Executive reported that the only potential

pre-scrutiny item requiring an Executive Member decision

was Better Housing Solutions. The Director of Adult Services

would be seeking authority for the Executive Member for

Adult Social Care to begin consultation on changes to

residential care with a view to finding better housing solutions

for people requiring the service. The Director explained that a

series of phased change to Hampshire County Council homes

had been underway through a re-provision programme,

moving away from institutional care to extra care housing

options. The current phase covered the period 2007/08 during

which time four of the County Council's homes would be

subject to review and a number of options for change put

forward. This phase had been agreed by Cabinet.

18. ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

The Chief Executive presented a report informing

Members of different aspects of national developments

impacting on the Safe and Healthy People agenda of safety

and wellbeing (Item 7 in the Minute Book) the key areas

covered were:

Mental Capacity Act 2005 - Implementation Timetable and

Guidance

Offender Management Bill

Disability Agenda - Disability Rights Commission Ten Priority Areas for Action

Commissioning Framework for Health and Wellbeing - Consultation Document

RESOLVED:

That:

a. A report on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 -

Implementation and Timetable be presented to the

Committee in January 2008.

b. The Chief Executive makes arrangements for a

presentation on the Offender management Bill to the next

meeting of the Committee.

c. Any comments on the Commissioning Framework for

Health and Wellbeing Consultation Document be sent to

the Chief Executive and the Framework be looked at

jointly with the Health Overview and Scrutiny

Committee.

The Scrutiny Officer to send a list of lead scrutineers to all Committee Members, The Executive Member for Adult Social Care, The Leader and Heads of Departments

The County Treasurer to report annually on complaints received about the financial assessment service including cases of

fraud and appeals against decisions.

The Chief Executive presents a report to the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee seeking approval for reviews be carried out on Access to Alcohol Services including Mental Health Services and Making the Best of the Third Sector (Voluntary, Community and Faith) in Hampshire County Council Public Services.

The Chief Executive arranges for a report on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 - Implementation Timetable and

Guidance to be presented to the Committee in January 2008.

The Chief Executive arranges for a presentation on the Offender Management Bill to the next meeting of the Committee

Members let the Chief Executive have their comments on the Commissioning Framework for Health and Wellbeing Consultation Document