Agenda and minutes

Report RES12087

Members confirmed the Co-opted Membership appointments to the Care Services PDS Committee for 2012/13. They also confirmed the membership of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee and the Accommodation with Care Reference Group.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  That the following non-voting appointments be made to the Care Services PDS Committee for 2012/13:

·  Brebner Anderson, Disability Voice Bromley

·  Peter Buckland, Bromley LINk

·  Angela Clayton-Turner, Bromley Mental Health Forum

·  Brian James, Learning Disability and Looked after Children Representative

(alternate Ian Legg)

·  Leslie Marks, Bromley Council on Ageing

(alternate Maureen Falloon)

·  Lynne Powrie, Carers Bromley

(alternate Maureen Falloon)

·  Bromley Federation of Housing Associations representative (vacant)

(2)  That the membership of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee Membership be confirmed as the same membership as the Policy Development and Scrutiny Committee.

(3)  The Accommodation with Care for Older People Reference Group be re-appointed:

·  Councillor Charles Rideout

·  Councillor Ruth Bennett

·  Barbara Campedelli – representing Carers

·  Ray Clay – Representing Experts by Experience

·  Angela Clayton-Turner – representing Bromley Mental Health Forum

·  Ken Keepen – Representing Extra Care Housing Tenants

·  Leslie Marks – Representing Bromley Council on Ageing

·  Marion Purll – Representing Carers

(Councillor Diane Smith, Executive Assistant for Care Services, also attends the Reference Group.)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Catherine Rideout and Brebner Anderson.

The following declarations of personal interest were made -

• Councillor Judi Ellis declared that her father had dementia and was resident in a care home in Bromley;
• Councillor Diane Smith declared she was on the board of Governors for Bromley Healthcare;
• Councillor Reg Adams declared that he his wife worked for Bromley Community Counselling Service;
• Councillor Mrs Anne Manning declared that she was Chairman of the Carers Organisation Group;
• 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;
• Brian James declared that he had a son in a supported living scheme.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th April 2012 be confirmed subject to the addition of Councillor Diane Smith to the list of attendees.

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 13^th June 2012.

No questions had been received.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to the Portfolio Holder 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 13^th June 2012.

No questions had been received.

Report Res12109

The Chairman requested that if Members saw a forthcoming item and wished to ask for a question to be covered they should contact the PDS Chairman who would request that it be incorporated into a particular report at the agenda planning meeting.

She also explained that, as previous decisions were already on the website these would no long appear on the agenda.

The Portfolio Holder reported that the Healthwatch item on the Health Scrutiny agenda for July would now be considered at the Policy Development and Scrutiny meeting in September.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Committee noted the decisions taken by the Portfolio Holder since the last meeting held on 10^th April 2012. (Link to decisions)

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

The Committee considered the following reports on matters where the Care Services Portfolio Holder or the Executive were due to take decisions.

Report CS12001

The Committee was presented with a report outlining the draft portfolio priorities and aims for 2012/13.  The 7 priorities for the Care Services portfolio focused on safeguarding (children and vulnerable adults), maximising independence, ensuring health and wellbeing and where people do need support, this support meets their needs appropriately. These priorities were in line with the Government’s outcomes framework for adult care and children’s social care. All priorities would be monitored throughout the year and progress reported back to the Committee in the autumn.

The Chairman requested that if Members had any particular comments about the content of the report they should mail the Performance Monitoring & Information Manager at the Education and Care Services Department.

Concerns were raised that the “outcomes” appeared to be objectives and it was suggested that the word “outcomes” should be removed from the heading.

One Member commented that there did not appear to be any priorities relating to adult and young carers.  Officers explained that it was contained in the table which could be accessed using the link embedded in the report.

(A print friendly version of this document is attached to these minutes.)

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be requested to agree the 2012/13 draft priorities and aims for the Care Services Portfolio.

Report CS12016

Members considered the current plans for a consultation on the future of health services in Orpington, to be delivered by NHS Bromley, the commissioners of health services for the borough.

The report addressed several elements of this consultation exercise:

·  The consultation plan – how to involve local people in the consultation; and,

·  The consultation document – an outline of what the consultation would contain

Diane Hedges, Project Director, and Colin Beesting, consultation engagement addressed the committee. They explained that they only wanted comments on the format of the consultation, who should be consulted and any information that the Committee felt that it would need. The discussion was not yet at the stage to cover how and which services should be delivered as this would be the context for the consultation. The draft consultation report would be brought back to the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee on 11^th July 2012.

Members were concerned that the reference to Bromley and Orpington residents meant that these were the only areas being consulted.  The Project Director explained that in some cases the services were specific just for the Orpington area, and for others for the whole of the borough. The aim was to seek views from everyone who wished to make comment and was likely to be affected. Further adjoining wards were suggested for inclusion for the summary document household drop and these was agreed

The local consultation arrangements were yet to be signed off by NHS London and the Local Clinical Commissioning Committee and consultation would not take place until after this.  However it was hoped that this would take place on 12^th/13^th July 2012. 

Members were keen to know if leaflets and a website on the consultation would be available and sought confirmation that the consultation would be widely advertised.  It was explained that there would be posters and leaflets in all GP surgeries and libraries.  The consultation would also be promoted in the local papers.

It was suggested that all residents’ associations were advised and that a complete list of these could be obtained from the Planning department.

The Project Director concluded by saying that she would be consulting on a service model and a proposal which would have a series of location options and a set of services within geographical areas.

RESOLVED that

(1) The arrangements for the consultation be endorsed, subject to the comments set out above.

(2) The Portfolio Holder be recommended to:

(a)  endorse the consultation plan; and

(b) note the outline consultation document headings.

Report CS12002

A Gateway Review of Information, Advice and Guidance Services had been presented to this Committee in December 2011. The Committee requested a further report on specialist advice and guidance, including the Bromley Mencap support planning and brokerage service, with particular reference to welfare benefits advice and support.

The value of the current contract with Bromley Mencap was £61k per annum and expired at the end of September 2012. As part of the budget options for 2012/13, the Council had agreed to seek reductions in spend on support planning and brokerage services for people who do not meet FACS criteria, in both learning disabilities and older peoples’ services.

The report proposed that information, advice and guidance to people with learning disabilities be included as part of the Bromley Mencap core strategic partnership contract from April 2013 and that the Council continued to fund welfare benefits support for people with learning disabilities and mental ill health during the period in which major changes were being introduced to the benefits system. The provision of this service would be reviewed at the end of 2013. 

The Chairman referred to an email that the Committee had received from Eddie Lynch, Chief Executive of Bromley Mencap, in which he highlighted his concerns about the reduction in funding. Members queried the use of the lottery funding received by Bromley Mencap and officers explained that the Council contract was solely for people with learning difficulties but that the lottery funding was funding support for all people with disabilities not solely learning disabilities.

The Committee had a full discussion on the contents of the report and again highlighted the concerns with the service provided by Department for Work and Pensions/ Job Centre Plus and whether they provide sufficient and appropriate support to clients. Members asked that officers closely monitor the service provided by DWP

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder is requested to agree that:

(1)  Information advice and guidance for people with learning disabilities should form part of the core contract with Bromley Mencap from April 2013. 

(2)  The contract with Broadway for the provision of benefits support be extended in accordance with the option in the contract for one year from 1^st April 2013 to 31^st March 2014 at a cost of £42k; and

(3)  The Portfolio Holder agrees to waive the requirement in Financial Regulations for competitive tendering to award a contract to Bromley Mencap from 1^st October 2012 to 31^st March 2014 for the provision of benefits support to people with learning disabilities at a cost of £30k in a full year.

Report CS12003

Following the closure of the Kingswood care home respite care facility a tender process had been undertaken to seek alternative care home provision. Members considered a report setting out the results of the tender process for the Care Home Respite contract and recommendations for award of the contract and next steps. The financial implications were set out in a report on Part 2 of the agenda.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder is requested to agree:

(1)  That a contract for provision of one residential Care Home Respite bed for physically frail (PF) and for residential Elderly Mentally Infirm (EMI) be awarded to The Heathers residential care home for a period of 2 years from 1^st July 2012 with an option to extend for up to 1 year followed by a further period of up to 1 year.

(2)  That delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director of Commissioning in consultation with the Care Services Portfolio Holder to negotiate up to four additional care home respite places, three residential and one Nursing EMI, in order to meet the demand for planned care home respite, at a cost not to exceed 10% above the Council’s ceiling rate.

Report CS12004

Members considered a report which set out the commissioning intentions and sought approval of the proposed procurement route for contracts for residential and nursing care homes for older people.

The Council had block contracts for the provision of residential and nursing home care which would expire in October 2012 and January 2013. It was advantageous for the Council to hold a proportion of the required service provision as block contracts in order to maintain a degree of price control and to assist with availability of places where demand was high.

The Committee agreed with the proposals and recommended that the Executive be asked to approve the procurement intentions to establish new contracts for residential and nursing care homes for older people.

RESOLVED that the Executive be asked to approve the procurement intentions to establish new contracts for residential and nursing care homes for older people.

Report CS12005

Officers presented a report setting out proposals to co-locate the London Borough of Bromley (LBB) Children’s Social Care Multi-Agency Support Hub (MASH) with Police Public Protection Unit and Health at the Bromley Civic Centre. This further developed the current LBB Multi-Agency Support Hub arrangements in Bromley by facilitating early, better quality information sharing in order to more effectively safeguard vulnerable children and more effectively signpost children who do not meet the Children’s Social Care threshold to early intervention services.

Members agreed that this was a sensible proposal and were informed that it was cost neutral.

If the scheme was successful there was a possibility of extending it to cover vulnerable adults.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be requested to endorse the proposal.

Report CS12006

Officers presented a report that detailed a proposal to seek agreement to charge interest on any discretionary funding provided to assist with adaptations for disabled clients.Such charges would be registered as a legal charge on the affected property; any interest would be repaid along with the grant sum upon sale or transfer of the property.

Officers confirmed that work was underway to link this with the allocations made to families who fostered children with complex needs.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be requested to agree that interest is charged for any discretionary grants provided to assist with adaptations for the disabled as set out in the body of the report.

Report CS12015

The contracts for respite at home services would expire on 31^st August 2012 and the report requested agreement to an exemption from tendering of the contract for respite at home services for a period of 7 months to 31^st March 2013.

The Chairman commented that this was a valued service and the costs were very competitive.  It was also noted that some clients would like an element of “personal care” as well as the sitting service and feedback from providers suggested that they would be prepared to pay additional costs for such a service.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder agrees to an exemption from tendering to enter into contracts with:

(1)  Carers Bromley for a 7 month period from 1^st September 2012 to 31^st March 2013 for the provision of respite at home services as set out in paragraph 3.2.

(2)  Bromley Mind for a 7 month period from 1^st September 2012 to 31^st March 2013 for the provision of respite at home services as set out in paragraph 3.3.

Report CS12007

A report setting out the revised payment structure for foster carer allowances was presented to Members. It included a phased two year introduction for existing foster carers. Members thanked officers for their work in producing such an informative report.

One Member commented that the resourcing and recruitment did not appear to take into account the needs of highly dependent children.  Officers explained that an “Invest to Save” bid had been submitted and if successful the funding would be used to employ a member of staff to work on developing packages to support foster carers caring for highly dependent and disabled children.

The Committee noted the revised payment structure for foster carers and the phased two year introduction for existing foster carers.

RESOLVED that the Executive be requested to:

(1)  Approve the revised payment structure to be implemented from 1st August 2012.

(2)  Agree a two year phased introduction for existing foster carers as outlined in the main body of the report.

The briefing comprises:

• Tackling Troubled Families Progress Report
• Draft Children’s Strategy for 2012-15
• Performance Monitoring 4^th Quarter 2011/12

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/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=559&Year=2012

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

Members requested that in future there was a sheet placed in the agenda denoting that there was an information item on the website.

To Follow

Report CS12010

Officers presented a report which outlined the complaints received from April 2011 to March 2012.

Members noted the statistics and the areas where complaints had been received.  They were particularly pleased to see the compliments regarding the re-ablement service.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

Report CS12009

Members considered a report that provided an overview of the annual performance of Housing & Residential Services against the 2011/12 key objectives and targets. It also gave an update on the new allocations scheme and the current position on the use of temporary accommodation and the actions being taken to try and reduce the current level of nightly paid accommodation placements.

They commented on the length of time reviews were taking to be completed.  Officers explained that due to the volume of reviews they were taking longer to complete.  In addition a number of them required information which had to be gathered, therefore causing further delays.  However very few reviews were being overturned and this message was now getting through which should help to reduce numbers.

The Chairman praised the work relating to Cranbrook House and noted that the Department was trying to get control over the Bed and Breakfast facilities.  Officers explained that every option was being considered to address the Bed and Breakfast situation. It could take some time for the things to settle and there would be a lot of change over the next few years.

RESOLVED that

(1)  The performance against the key objectives and targets in the 2011/12 Portfolio Plan and work plan for these service areas, including the current actions in relation to temporary accommodation use are noted. (Appendix 2).

(2)  The priorities as set out in paragraph 3.4 for the forthcoming year in response to the drivers set out from paragraphs 3.3 are noted.

(3)  The current position of the new allocation scheme be noted. (Appendix 3)

Report CS12011

Members considered an update of the final budget position for the Adult and Community Services Portfolio.

The final outturn for the “controllable” element of the ACS budget in 2011/12 was an under spend of £1,418,000 compared to the last reported figure of £780,000 which was based on activity at the end of January 2012.  After allowing for the net £388,000 carry forward request, if agreed by the Executive, the final outturn position would be £1,030,000.

On the 20th June 2012 the Executive would be asked to approve a number of carry forward requests relating to either unspent grant income, or delays in achieving invest to save initiatives where cost pressures would follow through into 2012/13.  Appendix 2 provided a detailed breakdown of all the carry forward requests.  Those included in section1 of the appendix would have repayment implications if not approved, those in section 2 related to grants which would not have to be repaid if not agreed but would impact on service delivery in 2012/13, and those in section 3, which all related to the housing service, and would help ensure that full year cost pressures of £696,000 following through into 2012/13 were managed within the overall resources available.   

Appendix 3 provided a breakdown of any full year implications arising from the final 2011/12 outturn and Appendix 4 provided a detailed reconciliation of the Original 2011/12 budget to the Latest Approved 2011/12 Budget.

Officers reported that there were pressures on the budget due to the increase in homelessness.  If this continued to rise there was the possibility of an overspend.

The Chairman commended officers on maintaining services despite the budget cuts.

RESOLVED that:

(1)  The under spend of £1,418,000 on controllable expenditure at the end of 2011/12 is noted.

(2)  The Executive be requested to agree net carry forwards totalling £388,000 as detailed in appendix 2.

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.

Report CS12012

Members considered the award of care and support contracts in four supported living schemes for people with learning disabilities.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be requested to agree:

(1)  A waiver of the requirement for competitive tendering under Financial Regulations to award the care and support contract for Padua Road to Family Mosaic from 1^st April 2012 to 30^th June 2013 in accordance with the cost set out in paragraph 5.1.

(2)  A waiver of the requirement for competitive tendering under Financial Regulations to award the care and support contract for Dunstonians to Sunnyside from 27^th February 2012 to 31st August 2013 in accordance with the cost set out in paragraph 5.1;

(3)  A waiver of the requirement for competitive tendering under Financial Regulations to award the care and support contract for Goldsmiths Close to mcch from 1^st April 2012 to 10^th January 2013 in accordance with the cost set out in paragraph 5.1; and

(4)  A waiver of the requirement for competitive tendering under Financial Regulations to award the care and support contract for 111 Masons Hill to mcch from 1^st April 2012 to 30^th June 2013 in accordance with the cost set out in paragraph 5.1.

Report CS12013

Officers presented the part 2 information relating to Kingswood House, considered in part 1 of the agenda.  It set out the results of the tender process for the Care Home Respite contract and made recommendations for award of the contract and next steps.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be requested to agree that:

(1)  A contract for provision of one residential Care Home Respite bed for physically frail (PF) and for residential Elderly Mentally Infirm (EMI) be awarded to The Heathers residential care home for a period of 2 years from 1^st July 2012 with an option to extend for up to 1 year followed by a further period of up to 1 year.

(2)   Delegated authority be given to the Assistant Director of Commissioning to negotiate up to four additional care home respite places, three residential and one Nursing EMI, in order to meet the demand for planned care home respite, at a cost not to exceed 10% above the Council’s ceiling rate

Report CS12014

Officers presented a report setting out the results of a tendering process for a Framework of Domiciliary Care Providers and a contract for Specialist domiciliary Dementia Care and made recommendations for award of contracts.  The contract length for all contracts was 5 years with 2 possible further extensions of 2 years each.

Members noted the report.

RESOLVED that the Executive be requested to:

(1)   Agree the award of places on the Framework Agreement for Domiciliary Care Services for the providers listed in Appendix 1.  The framework will begin on 27^th August 2012 and will last for 5 years with the option to extend for two further periods of 2 years each.

(2)   Agree the award of a contract for Specialist Dementia Care to Brook Street (UK) Ltd.  The contract will commence on 27^th August 2012 and will last for 5 years with the option to extend for two further periods of 2 years each.

(3)   Delegate authority to the Director of Education and Care Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Care Services, to agree time limited spot contract arrangements with existing providers in line with the proposals outlined in paragraphs 3.15 and 3.18 of the report.

(4)   To note the impact of the Contributions Policy and the proposed reduction in charges which will take effect from April 2013.   

Education and Care Services Plan for 2012/13:

Priority Framework Summary