Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Catherine Rideout, Councillor Charles Rideout, Tom Papworth and Brian James.  Apologies were also received from Lynn Powrie and Maureen Falloon attended as her alternate.

Councillor Peter Fookes declared that he was a Trustee of Age Concern Penge and Anerley.  Councillor Judi Ellis declared that her father had dementia and was resident in a care home in Bromley.  Councillor William Huntington-Thresher declared that he was the Council’s representative on the Board of Broomleigh Housing Association.  Councillor Diane Smith declared she was on the board of Governors for Bromley Healthcare. Brebner Anderson declared he was on the board of governors for Bromley Healthcare. Leslie Marks declared that she had a son in a care home. Angela Clayton-Turner declared that she had a relative in a Mission Care home. Peter Buckland declared that he was on the board for Affinity Sutton.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Friday 20^th January 2012

3 questions were received from Susan Sulis of the Community Care Protection Group. Two questions were referred to the Health sub-committee and the third is appended to these minutes.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Friday 20^th January 2012.

No questions were received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 30^th November and 13^th December 2011 be agreed.

Report RES12026

The Committee considered issues that continued to be outstanding from previous meetings.

It was agreed that officers would be looking at the format of the matters arising report and the work programme and changes will be made to their presentation in due course.

RESOLVED that the progress on recommendations made at previous meetings to be noted.

There are no Part One decisions to be considered.

The Committee noted the decisions taken by the Portfolio Holder since the last meeting held on 13^th December 2012.

The Adult and Community Portfolio Holder to present scheduled reports for pre-decision scrutiny on matters where he is minded to make decisions.

Report ACS12006

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report setting out the new Greater London Authority Pan-London Mobility Scheme which was designed to facilitate a level of cross-borough moves for existing, social housing (Local Authority and Housing Association) tenants within the Capital. 

Members were informed that the Housing Benefit cap would not have an effect on this scheme as this was for Social Housing properties only. 

Officers also explained that if Bromley gained fewer properties than they submitted they would then reduce the number of properties that were put into the scheme until equalisation is achieved. This is to be controlled by a a quarterly and annual reconciliation.

When asked about potential for claiming over occupying by tenants, perhaps to gain priority, officers explained that there was a very strict policy and social landlords had to verify tenants’ information.

One of the main reasons for the scheme was to allow people to move around London more easily to take advantage of employment opportunities.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Note the comments of the Adult and Community PDS Committee in response to the implications of the new scheme;

2)  Agree the proposal to participate in the scheme from April 2012, subject to the scheme being fully launched and operational at Pan-London level by this date.

Report ACS12007

The Committee considered the budget monitoring position for 2011/12 based on activity up to the end of November 2011.

Members were pleased to note that despite having a large budget to monitor the variations were relatively small.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Note the projected underspend of £498,000.

2)  Approve an in-year virement of £170,000 from the Procurement and Contract Compliance budget within the Commissioning and Partnerships Division to Housing Needs, to fund a number of initiatives that will help reduce costs pressures of £700,000 following through into 2012/12.

3)  Note that £150,000 relating to Learning Disabilities growth pressures approved by the Executive as part of the 2011/12 budget will be returned to the central contingency.

Report ACS12002

The Committee considered the Portfolio Holder’s draft 2012/13 budget which incorporated the overall cost pressures facing the council over the next four years and identified those relating specifically to ACS.  The draft 2012/13 budget also considered a range of budget options reported to Executive on 11^th January 2012.  Members were requested to consider the savings proposed and also identify any further action to be taken to reduce the cost pressures facing ACS over the next four years. 

The Deputy Director of Finance highlighted the financial pressures facing the council and explained that officers within ACS were managing demographic changes and other services demands within the overall resources available, with the exception of adults with learning disabilities. She informed the committee that it needed to focus on the 2012/13 budget and that the figures for 2013/14 were included for planning purposes only.

Representatives from the voluntary sector raised concerns about cuts to services that would affect the independence of service users and the continued increases in charging which could prevent people from accessing the services.

Both the Chairman and the Deputy Director of Finance highlighted that a number of the savings being proposed for 2012/13 did not directly impact on front line services such as senior management savings and invest to save proposals.

Members also asked about people in Day Centres who did not meet the eligibility criteria.  They were assured that the criteria were stringently applied and only those meeting the criteria would be offered day centre provision. 

Other comments related to Bromley’s low spend per head of population on care services, value for money and a quality service.

One member queried charging for re-ablement services but officers clarified that Government legislation stipulated that authorities were unable to charge. 

The Chairman thanked members for their comments which would be referred back to the Executive for consideration at its meeting on 1^st February.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

1)  Consider the update on the financial forecast for 2013/14 to 2015/16;

2)  Agree the initial draft savings options proposed by the Executive, focusing on the 2012/13 savings options;

3)   Agree using the initial draft 2012/13 Budget as a basis for setting the 2012/13 Budget;

Report RES12023

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report setting out the changes to the Capital Programme for the Adult and Community Services Portfolio.  On 1^st February 2012, the Executive would receive a report summarising the current position on capital expenditure and receipts following the 3^rd quarter of 2011/12 and presenting for approval the new capital schemes supported by Chief Officers in the annual capital review process.  The Executive would be asked to agree a revised Capital Programme for the five year period 2011/12 to 2015/16. 

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the changes to be considered by the Executive on 1^st February 2012.

Report ACS12005

The Committee considered a report providing an update of the performance of the Re-ablement Service, which was designed to reduce the demand for

domiciliary care by improving the health and well-being of older people so that they are able to manage their activities of daily living and to achieve a saving as a result.

Members enquired about charging for the re-ablement service but officers informed them that the statutory guidance says they are not allowed to change.

Officers also clarified that third sector partners were able to refer clients to the re-ablement service.

The Chairman remarked that the report was very positive and thanked officers for the quality of service provided.

RESOLVED that Members comments around the level of savings being achieved and forecast be noted.

Report ACS12008

The Committee considered a report providing an overview of the Older People’s budget area including staffing levels and services provided to support older people.  An indication of the current demand and the resulting services pressures were outlined, as was the action being taken to respond to them.

Members asked about the possibility of additional extra care housing sites and were informed that, at present, no additional sites had been identified and that there were going to be difficulties with future funding. They would need to look at other possibilities for funding any expansion to this service.

Members asked if units could be sold privately to fund a service expansion, Officers explained that the Housing Associations were not keen on this proposal as they would have to sell the units before they received their funding.

RESOLVED that:

1)  Members comments on identified pressures relating to changes in demography especially those relating to the increasing number of people aged over 85 years and those who have dementia be noted.

2)  Members comments reviewing the actions outlined within the main body of the report that are being taken to respond to these pressures be noted.

Report ACS12010

The Committee considered a report outlining the work being undertaken to monitor the quality of service provided for adults placed in residential and nursing homes in the Borough.

Members sought reassurance that if a home was subject to CQC enforcement action due to safeguarding issues the authority would not allow a service user to choose to be placed in the home. Officers confirmed that in this situation all new placements would be suspended.

It was also noted that in the past there had been a schedule of member visits to residential care homes, it was agreed that officers would put together a list of visits for 2012 - 13.

It was noted that whilst the members did not have a statutory right to inspect independent homes they would do so as invited  “guests”. There is no official report to complete however, the members would be asked to feedback their comments and observations to the ACS Procurement Team.

Members praised officers on the how well the programme of closures had been implemented and the smooth transition of residents from one home to another. 

RESOLVED that:

1)  Members comments be noted;

2)  A programme of visits to Care Homes in the Borough be undertaken during 2012/13.

3)  The Portfolio Holder be recommended to endorse the recommendation that the Council does not fund placements in homes where enforcement action is being taken by Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Report RES12025

The Committee considered its work programme for 2011/12. 

It was noted that the out of hours GP services would be for consideration by the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

The Contract renewal update had been included in the briefing paper.

RESOLVED that the updates to the Work Programme be noted.

The briefing comprises:

• Contract Activity in Adult and Community Services January to June 2012

Members and Co-opted Members have been provided with advance copies of the briefing via email.  The briefing is also available on the Council’s website at the following link:

http://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=559&MId=4076&Ver=4

Printed copies of the briefing are available on request by contacting the Democratic Services Officer.

The Portfolio Holder briefing comprised one report:

• Contract Activity in Adult and Community Services January to June 2012

No Members asked questions about this briefing.

The Chairman to move that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business listed below as it was likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 30^th November be agreed.

The Committee noted the exempt decisions taken by the Portfolio Holder since the last meeting held on 13^th December 2011.

Report ACS12004

The Committee considered the report and supported the recommendations.

Report ACS12009

The Committee considered the report and supported the recommendations.

The exempt briefing comprises:

·  Aligning Policy and Finance Review – Housing and Residential Services

Members and co-opted members have been provided with advance copies of the briefing via email.

The Committee noted the exempt information briefing.