Agenda, decisions and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Cllr Hogg declared a general personal and prejudicial interest as his mother had Alzheimer’s and received respite care in City of York Council homes and as his father received homecare assistance.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2007.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last meeting of the Panel held on 26 March 2007 be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Panel’s remit can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Friday 1 June 2007 at 5.00pm.

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme. Alan Ross read out a statement on behalf of Sally Arnup, who was unable to attend the meeting. The representation related to Agenda Item 10 (Response to petition concerning Yearsley Bridge Day Centre closure) and was made on behalf of users of the Yearsley Bridge Centre.

 Mr Ross raised objections to the closure, he confirmed that over 75 people regularly used the Centre, of which 50 were wheelchair users, and that they felt that the existing Centre should be modernised rather than closed. He raised concerns regarding the closure timetable and indicated that a number of staff at the Centre were now leaving. Families were very concerned at what the future held for them as they had relied on the firm reliable base, which they felt the existing Centre gave them.

This report presents the out turn position of the 2006/07 Housing and Adult Social Services Capital Programme and the resources available to support it.

Members considered a report which presented the out turn position of the 2006/07 Housing and Adult Social Services Capital Programme and the resources available to support it.

It was reported that the value of the approved Housing Capital Programme was £10,041k with £4,581k funded through the Major Repairs Allowance. A total of £160k slippage on the capital funded element of the programme into 2007/08 and an overspend of £176k.

The value of the approved Social Services Capital Programme was £671k of which £250k was grant funded. There had been a total slippage of £16k and a net overspend of £11k.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Members for Housing and Adult Social Services be advised to

(i)            Approve the changes to the Housing and Adult Social Services Capital Programme as set out in the report;

(ii)        Refer the slippage of £16k on Social Services and £160k on Housing to the Executive for approval.

Decision of the Executive Members for Housing and Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Members on progress on the capital programme.

Members considered a report which presented the out turn position of the 2006/07 Housing and Adult Social Services Capital Programme and the resources available to support it.

It was reported that the value of the approved Housing Capital Programme was £10,041k with £4,581k funded through the Major Repairs Allowance. There was a total of £160k slippage on the capital funded element of the programme into 2007/08 and an overspend of £176k.

The value of the approved Social Services Capital Programme was £671k of which £205k was grant funded. There had been a total slippage of £16k and a net overspend of £11k.

In relation to the analysis of spending Members questioned details of the following:

·        under spend to Foxwood Phase 2 due to delays from United Utilities - it was confirmed was due to the lead in period.

·        low take up in relation to Right to Buy - thought to be due to the increase in property prices and valuations.

·        £35k overspend on the Morrell House project mainly related to mechanical and ventilation work - this had been considered an appropriate amount in view of the works undertaken.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Members for Housing and Adult Social Services be advised to

(i)            Approve the changes to the Housing and Adult Social Services Capital Programme as set out in the report.

(ii)        Refer the slippage of £16k on Social Services and £160k on Housing to the Executive for approval.

Decision of the Executive Members for Housing and Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Members on progress on the capital programme.

This report provides the Executive Member with an overview of progress on Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Service Plan agreed in April 2006.

Members considered a report which provided the Executive Member for Housing an overview of progress on the Housing Revenue Account Service Plan agreed in April 2006.

The report covered the following areas:

·        Achievements over the year 2006/2007

·        Updates on Critical Success Factors (CSF’s)

·        2006/2007 performance on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

·        New external priorities or demands identified

·        Significant organisational issues

The Executive Member for Housing expressed her thanks for the hard work and achievements made by all officers.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to

(i)         Note the progress and achievements made in delivering the HRA Service Plan at the end of 2006/07;

(ii)               Agree the carry forwards amounting to £39,280 outlined in paragraph 23 of the report and their reference to the Executive for approval;

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Member on progress on the service plan and progress against objectives.

Members considered a report which provided the Executive Member for Housing with an overview of progress on the Housing Revenue Account Service Plan agreed in April 2006.

The report covered the following areas:

·        Achievements over the year 2006/2007

·        Updates on Critical Success Factors (CSF’s)

·        2006/2007 performance on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

·        New external priorities or demands identified

·        Significant organisational issues

Officers reported that the Authority was still on target to meet the decent homes standard by 2010. There was improved performance across all the landlord functions and work was underway to improve tenant satisfaction with additional opportunities for participation by the public. Areas for further improvement were the performance of the repairs partnership and monitoring of staff sickness absence and staff turnover.

Members questioned the following points: 

• Staff sickness absence rates but it was pointed out that this was an overall figure which had not yet been broken down.
• Staff survey results it was reported that these would be reported later in the year

The Executive Member for Housing expressed her thanks for the hard work and achievements made by all officers involved.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to

(i)         Note the progress and achievements made in delivering the HRA Service Plan at the end of 2006/07;

(ii)               Agree the carry forwards amounting to £39,280 outlined in paragraph 23 of the report and their reference to the Executive for approval;

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Member on progress on the service plan and progress against objectives.

This report provides the Executive Member with an overview of progress on the Housing General Fund Service Plan agreed in April 2006.

Members considered an overview of progress in the General Fund Service Plan agreed in April 2006.

The report covered

The Executive Member for Housing congratulated officers for all their hard work in delivering the General Fund Service Plan.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to

(i)         Note progress and achievements made in delivering the General Fund Service Plan at the end of 2006/07;

(ii)        Agree the carry forward of £15,000 outlined in paragraph 19 of the report and reference to the Executive for approval.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Member on progress on the service plan and progress against objectives.

Members considered an overview of progress in the General Fund Service Plan agreed in April 2006.

The report covered the following areas:

·        Achievements over the year 2006/2007

·        Updates on Critical Success Factors (CSF’s)

·        2006/2007 performance on Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)

·        New external priorities or demands identified

·        Significant organisational issues

Officers updated that on the Housing General Fund Service Plan, Annex 1, in the Customer Based Improvements, results of the 2006/07 outturns had now been received for the following areas:

% of Landlords satisfied with housing regulation enforcement – 76% satisfied and 22% acceptable

% of Customers satisfied with the grant services – 99.6% satisfied

Officers confirmed that they had managed to reduce the amount of time people spent in temporary accommodation and that the Department were continuing to pursue homeless prevention services.  In answer to questions Officers gave details of the 8 rough sleepers listed in the report for 2006/07. Officers also confirmed that the resettlement team, the Salvation Army and the Neighbourhood Policing Teams were providing a combined approach to working with rough sleepers offering support and guidance.

Members questioned the number of affordable housing completions with the approvals given for Derwenthorpe and Germany Beck, Fulford. Officers stated that once the approval details were available for the sites more appropriate targets for future years could be included in reports

The Executive Member for Housing thanked officers for all their hard work in delivering the General Fund Service Plan.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to

(i)         Note progress and achievements made in delivering the General Fund Service Plan at the end of 2006/07;

(ii)        Agree the carry forward of £15,000 outlined in paragraph 19 of the report and reference to the Executive for approval.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Member on progress on the service plan and progress against objectives.

This report introduces the revised Tenant Participation Compact: ‘The York Customer Involvement Compact for Housing’. The Compact was approved by Housing Management Team (under delegated authority) on 2^nd May 2007 and is brought to the Executive Member for information.

The Executive Member for Housing expressed her thanks to the Federation of Residents and the Tenants and Residents Groups for all their hard work in the review of and development of the document.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to note the contents of this report.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Member on the revised Tenant Participation Compact: ‘The York Customer Involvement Compact for Housing’..

Consideration was given to a report, which introduced the revised Tenant Participation Compact: ‘The York Customer Involvement Compact for Housing’.

Pat Holmes, one of the co-opted Members, stated that the compact had endeavoured to simplify the document and that the Federation and Tenants/Resident Groups had been closely involved with the review and were pleased with the revised document.

Members questioned what had been done to attract young people, BME and other minority groups. Officers referred to the Annual Housing Services Monitor, which identified groups including younger tenants, and to Tenant Expert Panels, which focused on particular groups. Members stated that there was a need to work through the various organisations that used facilities in particular areas. Officers confirmed that a range of engagement opportunities would be offered in the future. 

The Executive Member for Housing expressed her thanks to the Federation of Residents and the Tenants and Residents Groups for all their hard work in representing local people and during the review and development of the revised Compact.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Housing be advised to note the contents of this report.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Member on the revised Tenant Participation Compact: ‘The York Customer Involvement Compact for Housing’.

This report advises the Executive Member of the performance and financial outturns for adult social care in 2006/7.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised

(i)         Note the performance and financial out turns for adult social care in 2006/07;

(ii)        Agree the carry forwards outlined in paragraph 18 of the report and their reference to the Executive for approval.

Decision of the Executive Member for Housing

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To brief the Executive Member on performance and financial out turn for adult social services in 2006/07.

Consideration was given to the performance and financial outturns for adult social care in 2006/07.

The reports gave an overall summary of performance of the following service areas and detailed progress in relation to key objectives:

• Corporate Services
• Older People and Physical Disability
• Mental Health
• Learning Disabilities

Officers confirmed that urgent action had had to be taken earlier in the year to bring expenditure back in line with budget following a projected overspend of £1.7m. It was reported that tighter controls had resulted in a small under spend and that great credit was due to staff at all levels in the department for this achievement. Managers for the various departments who were in attendance at the meeting confirmed that it had been felt that performance would suffer but that it had held up well.

Members questioned the following points:

• Spot contracts in the Home Care service (para 12)
• Evaluation by Kendric Ash of transport arrangements for customers, particularly in Learning Disabilities and possible savings (para 18)
• Delayed discharges in relation to intermediate care beds at the Archways

The Executive Member for Adult Social Services confirmed that the outturn figures were a credit to the entire Department particularly following substantial changes in the Home Care contract, which had resulted in some problems. She expressed her thanks to the whole team for their work during the year.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised to

(i)         Note the performance and financial out turns for adult social care in 2006/07;

(ii)        Agree the carry forwards amounting to £26,800, outlined in paragraph 18 of the report and their reference to the Executive for approval.

Decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To brief the Executive Member on performance and financial out turn for adult social services in 2006/07.

This report includes the number of complaints made about social care services between April 05 – March 06 and April 06 – March 07. This is because the legislation governing the management of social care complaints changed on the 1^st September 2006 and the previous year’s report was delayed to enable the provision of information on this new legislation.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised to note the information in the report and the annual social care complaints and representations report 2006/07.

Decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Member on complaints made about social care services.

Members considered a report, which detailed the number of complaints made about social care services between April 2005 and March 2007.  It was reported that the legislation governing the management of social care complaints had changed on 1 September 2006 and the previous year’s report had been delayed to enable the provision of information on this new legislation.

Prior to 1 September 2006 the legislation governing the management of social care complaints had been the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 and the Children’s Act 1989. Local Authorities, which provided local social care services, were required to have a procedure to ensure the effective review and investigation of complaints and these had been in place since 1998. This had consisted of two separate procedures one for adult social care complaints and one for children and young people’s social care complaints. Details of the changes were listed in the report at Annexes A and B.

Officers confirmed that lessons were being learnt following resolution of these complaints and that this would be acted on in the future.

Members questioned whether complaints to individual contractors were included in these figures. Officers confirmed that these details were received quarterly but only included in the figures if it had been unable to resolve the complaint. If a contractor had received a high level of complaints a review of that contractor would be undertaken.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised to note the information in the report and the annual social care complaints and representations report 2006/07.

Decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To inform the Executive Member on complaints made about social care services.

This report advises Members of the petition received relating to the Yearsley Bridge Day Centre closure, and an update of the progress of the closure plan.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised to note the information in the report and receipt of a petition relating to the Yearsley Bridge Day Centre closure.

Decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To update the Executive Member on progress with this scheme and on receipt of a petition.

Members considered a report, which related to receipt of a petition containing just short of 2000 signatures in opposition to the Yearsley Bridge Day Centre closure and which gave an update of the closure plan. 

Officers confirmed that this was part of an on-going programme of modernisation and re-provision to provide a more flexible and individualised support in line with up to date Government thinking. It was confirmed that the closure of Yearsley Bridge was due to be completed in 2008 and that the programme was detailed in Annex 1 of the report.

Officers stated that the Yearsley Bridge Day Centre was an outdated building, not fit for purpose, which offered users a limited choice. Consultations had been undertaken with individuals, their families as well as individual consultation with each services user and their family and friends. Details of their requirements had been obtained to try and provide individualised support service in the community.  It was stated that the dates were not set in stone and that May 2008 was only a target date to work towards.

Members questioned the consultation detailed in Annex 2 and in particular the point that families had been informed that the Centre would be modernised. This had then changed to re-provision and families felt that they had not been able to feed into this process.  Officers confirmed that this had been proposed since 2006 and that the Authority were not anticipating any savings from this re-provision nor would there be any cuts in staff or services. It was reported that consultation with centre users was still ongoing.

Members also made the following points

• The provision of an improved service should ensure that clients received a seamless transfer.
• Were there lease back arrangements for the Centre for use beyond May 2008, if required?
• Details of the location for the hydrotherapy pool.
• Reassurances that there would be no enforced redundancies as a result of the changes.
• Support for the Authorities ongoing consultation with users of the Centre.

Officers confirmed that staff at the Centre were highly skilled so there was a wish to retain them and that it was highly unlikely that any staff would lose their job.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for Adult Social Services be advised to note the information in the report and receipt of a petition relating to the Yearsley Bridge Day Centre closure.

Decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Services

RESOLVED:             That the advice of the Advisory Panel as set out above be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:                  To update the Executive Member on progress with this scheme and on receipt of a petition.