Issue - meetings

Report CS14110

The Committee received an update on four of the Education, Care and Health Services Department’s invest to Save/Contain initiatives –

·  Dementia

·  PDSI

·  Children’s Social Care

·  Bellegrove – Temporary Accommodation

The Director accepted that all four projects had taken time to get started, partly as it had been difficult to recruit the right high quality people to the fixed term posts required, but two of the schemes, Bellegrove and Children’s Social Care had been very successful. The two adult social care schemes had been less successful; a Member questioned whether more investment should be allowed, but officers reported that progress was now being made.

The Committee discussed the Bellegrove scheme, which had successfully generated savings beyond targets and would repay the initial investment by 2015/16. The scheme was very well managed by Orchard and Shipman; Councillor Judi Ellis did report on one occasion when a repair was required but it was stated by officers that such repairs were usually completed with a minimum of delay after the agent became aware of them. It was clarified that although refurbishment costs were not included in the funding, maintenance was provided for; the Director had not had any complaints brought to his attention and it was likely that any problems reported were quickly dealt with. A Member asked whether there was scope for using other properties for similar schemes; the Portfolio Holder responded that he hoped to have the scheme at Manorfields operating soon.

RESOLVED that the progress made in each of the schemes be noted, and that a further update be provided to a future meeting.