Adult Services and Health Select Committee Minutes

Date:
Wednesday, 26th September, 2012
Time:
3.30 p.m.
Place:
Ground Floor Committee Room, Town Hall, High Street, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1AU
 
Please note: all Minutes are subject to approval at the next Meeting

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr Kevin Faulks (Chairman), Cllr Evaline Cunningham, Cllr Elliot Kennedy, Cllr Ray McCall, Cllr Mrs Sylvia Walmsley, Cllr Norma Wilburn, Cllr Mrs Mary Womphrey
Officers:
Julie Nixon, Stephen Shaw (DNS); Peter Mennear, Michael Henderson (LD)
In Attendance:
Mr Richard Amir (Parent Governor Representative); James Newton (LINk), Paul Jarvis (Stockton Helps All)
Apologies for absence:
Cllr Mohammed Javed
Item Description Decision
Public
ASH
38/12		 EVACUATION PROCEDURE
  
ASH
39/12		 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Preamble
 
ASH
40/12		 MINUTES FOR SIGNATURE - 18TH JUNE AND 9TH JULY 2012
Preamble
 
ASH
41/12		 DRAFT MINUTES - 3RD SEPTEMBER 2012
Preamble
 
ASH
42/12		 EIT (EFFICIENCY, IMPROVEMENT AND TRANSFORMATION) REVIEW OF LEARNING DISABILITY SERVICES
Preamble
AGREED that:-

1. the consultation responses on the proposals for changes to Learning Disability Services be noted.

2. recommendations be finalised, based on the proposals referred to above and detailed in the report to the Committee, and be brought to a future meeting.

3. an update on buildings that could, potentially, be used as community based locations, be provided at the Committee's next meeting.
ASH
43/12		 EIT REVIEW OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Preamble
AGREED that:-

1. the revised Scope be agreed.

2. the proposals surrounding the stage 1 consultation be agreed, with any necessary amendments to the consultation document being agreed in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman.
ASH
44/12		 WORK PROGRAMME
Preamble
Agreed that information be noted.
ASH
45/12		 CHAIR'S UPDATE
Preamble
Agreed that the information be noted.
3.30pm/5.10pm

Preamble

ItemPreamble
ASH
39/12		Councillor Ray McCall declared a personal interest as he was a volunteer Associate Hospital Manager for Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust.
ASH
40/12		The minutes of the meetings held on 18 June and 9 July 2012 were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
ASH
41/12		Consideration was given to the draft minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2012.
ASH
42/12		The Committee was provided with the results of consultation that had gathered views on proposals for changes to Learning Disability Services. These proposals had been agreed, in principle, at the Cabinet meeting held on 17 May 2012, in order for them to go forward to consultation with service users, carers, and the wider community.

Members considered the consultation results in relation to the proposals. Discussion centred on the following:

- Responses to the proposals had generally been positive but it was recognised that users and carers had, understandably, been concerned about how they would be affected as individuals.

- The proposal to increase the range of services in Stockton Borough received high levels of support, particularly with regard to autism services.

- Consultation results revealed that some respondents clearly had strong views on the proposals relating to Rievaulx. A member indicated that she was aware that some users wished to continue with a service at Rievaulx and it was suggested that consideration should be given to this. It was noted that the nature of the building did not easily facilitate a range of activities being undertaken at the same time. Some users had highlighted this as a significant problem. The service needed to be able to accommodate a range of different needs and the physical nature of Rievaulx building made this difficult. Some users were thought to be capable of assessing more community based provision.

- Members noted that all proposals still needed to be worked through. Further consultation and communication with groups and individuals would be key to this. Contemporary models for service provision would be developed.

- there were some concerns relating to the facilitated consultation events in terms of process and outcomes. Members noted that the Council had a legal obligation to consult all those affected, in addition to their carers and families.

- Consultation responses were unlikely to necessitate changes to the general principles, detailed within the proposals, as there was general support for them and they would be very helpful in terms of informing future development in this area.

- it was important that those considered to be suitable for independent living, received appropriate support to ensure positive results for the individual and the community they would live in.

- It was noted that, in terms of proposal 2, officers were aware of a number of suitable community based buildings in Billingham. An update on this issue would be brought to the Committee's next meeting.

Members noted that, at the Committee's next meeting, officers would be presenting information relating to financial issues, including out of Borough placements, contracts, negotiations etc.
ASH
43/12		Members were provided with a revised scope relating to a review of Mental Health Services and a report proposing Stage 1 consultation on the issue.

It was explained that two specific consultation documents/questionnaires had been devised, one targeted at service users and the other at carers. Copies of the questionnaires were provided to members and comments invited by Monday 1st October, with the final versions being agreed in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman. Other methods of communication and consultation would include the following:

- a specific web page, including online surveys, and email address
- awareness raising through the Local Media
- awareness raising and seeking opinion from Forums and Interest Groups
- awareness raising and seeking opinion from Facilitated Groups/Events
- events for staff

It was explained that the stage 1 consultation was focused on gathering opinion on the existing services the Council provided.

Members were reminded of site visits arranged for 4 October 2012.
ASH
44/12		There was no update to the work programme. It remained as previously reported.
ASH
45/12		There was nothing to report under this item.

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