Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at http://council.webcast.vualto.com/leicestershire-county-council/Home?EventId=20235

To note that Mr. T. Richardson CC was nominated Chairman elect to the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the Annual Meeting of the County Council held on 17 May 2017

That the appointment of Mr T. J. Richardson CC as Chairman of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the period ending with the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2018 be noted.

(Mr. T. J. Richardson CC in the Chair)

That Dr. P. Bremner CC be elected Deputy Chairman of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the period ending with the date of the Annual Meeting of the County Council in 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2017 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The following question had been received under Standing Order 35, and was put to the Chairman of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Question by Mr J Field, resident:

“In my opinion this council maintains a computer network surveillance infrastructure which its staff abuse for voyeuristic purposes (most probably the Clearswift employee monitoring program).  I have pursued this matter with the executive body without satisfaction and so need to pass the problem up to the regulators.  Is proper oversight being maintained over the way the Library & IT staff use these surveillance technologies?  Can you provide details of the person conducting this oversight, the dates on which they last performed this function and details of their report?”

Reply by the Chairman:

“Leicestershire County Council utilises a range of products to protect its networks.  These are server based and controlled/used by the I&T department.  Only I&T have access to these tools.  Library staff, and staff outside of LCC I&T, do not have access.

As Clearswift has been referred to, this is installed on the LCC estate.  It is an email/web filtering software used to protect the LCC network.  This product is configured by I&T services to detect spam email and bar specific web site content.  Library staff do not have access to this.

I&T staff do not monitor individual sessions or provide usage information unless requested to do so in very specific cases where a breach of the terms of the Council’s computer usage policies is being investigated.”

Mr Field asked the following supplementary question:

“I think the answer given is inadequate, as it does not address my request for details of the person conducting the oversight, any dates or any findings, and this needs to be addressed.”

The Director subsequently responded as follows:

“I will look into Mr Field’s question, and provide him with a written response directly.”

The Chief Executive reported that no questions had been received under Standing Order 7(3) and 7(5).

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations were made.

There were no declarations of the party whip.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities giving an update on community managed libraries.  A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 10”, is filed with these minutes.

In introducing the item, the Cabinet Lead Member drew members’ attention to the positive progress that had been made, along with the work to be undertaken with the five libraries which had not yet transferred to community management.  Members were informed that since writing the report, officers had been advised that the indicative costs provided by the print supplier up until 2019 would be subject to change, and therefore could influence the advice that would be given to local groups.

Arising from a discussion, the following points were noted:

·         In response to a query around the contingency fund of £150,000 to support groups with significant repairs to transferred buildings, it was reported that, from the first calls for bids, approximately £45,000 had been claimed by five groups.  This had been for items such as replacement heating systems and funding to deal with health and safety issues.  The amount of individual bids had not exceeded £10,000;

·         Running costs would be met by the local authority for the first two years, after which support would be tapered off at a rate of 20% per annum.  Concern was raised around the risks associated with this, and it was stated that the Council would support local groups’ bids for funding wherever possible and provide advice and guidance on making libraries sustainable.

RESOLVED

(a)  That the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the progress made with libraries that have transferred to community management;

(b)  That the progress with Braunstone Town, Desford, Kirby Muxloe, Ibstock and Mountsorrel be noted.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities on the lessons learned, implementation and procurement surrounding the Help to Live at Home service.  A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 11”, is filed with these minutes.

The Cabinet Lead Member, in introducing the item, drew members’ attention to the initial difficulties associated with the service, and the key learning.  However, progress had been made over the last six months, and this had had a positive impact on people accessing packages of care. 

Members felt that the language used in the lessons learnt report was not easy to understand, and although it was recognised that the report was primarily aimed at professionals, it was hoped that the lessons learnt would help with further integration and joint working.

In response to questions, members were advised as follows:-

·         The estimated savings from the introduction of Help to Live at Home were £1million.   This saving requirement had been met, notwithstanding the difficulties encountered in the roll out and the additional costs incurred as a result;

·         The bidders of the second open competitive process for the three West Leicestershire lots met the quality thresholds but there were technical issues with their bids.  The negotiation process now underway was a recognised procurement process and the successful bidder would have to meet all specifications in the tender documents.  There would be no reduction in these requirements;

·         Work was underway to produce a post implementation review which would be available towards the end of the summer.

RESOLVED

(a)  That the summary of the lessons learned report and the overview of the Help to Live at Home Service be noted;

(b)  That the update on the procurement process for the three vacant West Leicestershire lots, and the action taken following the Care Quality Commission inspection undertaken on the Hales Group, be noted;

(c)  That officers be requested to provide members with a post implementation review update.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities giving an update around supporting people with learning disabilities into employment.  A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 12”, is filed with these minutes.

In introducing the item, the Cabinet Lead Member drew members’ attention to the improvement in performance on the proportion of people with learning disabilities in employment, and the bid which had been submitted to the Department of Work and Pensions Local Supported Employment Proof of Concept Fund.  It was currently unclear when the outcome of the bid would be known, but members would be notified.  Should the bid not be successful, the scope of the proposed project would need to be reduced.

Members were further advised that the re-procurement of Community Life Choices included a requirement on day care providers to seek out employment and educational opportunities for service users.  It was however recognised that due to economic conditions the opportunities for employment were reducing.

Members welcomed the work that had been undertaken so far, and asked for a further progress report in a year.

RESOLVED

(a)  That the progress made around supporting people with learning disabilities into employment, and the work being planned, be noted;

(b)  That officers be requested to notify members on the outcome of the bid to the Department of Work and Pensions Local Supported Employment Proof of Concept Fund when it is known;

(c)  That officers be requested to provide a further progress report in a year.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to take place on 12 September 2017 at 2.00pm

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on 12 September 2017 at 2.00pm.

There were no other items which the Chairman had decided to take as urgent.