Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at http://council.webcast.vualto.com/leicestershire-county-council/home/?EventId=22644

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2018 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

The Chairman reported that questions had been received from Mr Robinson under Standing Order 35.  As the questions related to an item for discussion elsewhere on the agenda (Minute 58 refers), he proposed to deal with the questions under that item.

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 concerning proposals to close Hamilton Court Residential Home, the Smith Crescent short break service in Coalville and the reconfiguration of The Trees residential care home from a long stay to a short breaks facility. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 8’ is filed with these minutes.

The Chairman invited the Director to introduce the report. In doing so the Director advised the Committee that whilst the proposals would generate a small saving the rationale for the proposals was that the buildings at Hamilton Court and Smith Crescent were no longer fit for purpose and the plan was to close. Similarly with The Trees there now remained seven residents and the proposal was, subject to Cabinet approval, to review their needs and find alternative accommodation in a private or voluntary sector care home which was where the majority of people with such needs were looked after. The reconfiguration of the Trees would enable a better provision of short breaks and respite care to be provided, something that was lacking in the Hinckley area.

The Director and then the Cabinet Lead Member assured the Committee that the assessment process would be done sensitively and would have regard to relationships built up between the residents.

The Committee then considered questions and representations from relatives of residents of The Trees, Hinckley.  A copy of the questions and representations and the response provided by the Chairman was tabled at the meeting and is attached to these minutes.  The Chairman invited Mr Robinson, who was present at the meeting and had submitted the questions marked ‘A’ in the attached document, to address the Committee.

No supplementary questions were asked, but Mr Robinson advised the Committee that the proposals in respect of The Tress would mean that his son, who had been resident in the home, would be required to leave the place he had known as his home and this would also mean a break in the relationships he had built up with his fellow residents over the years. This had caused his son and the family considerable anguish. Whilst recognising the need for respite and short breaks he urged the Committee to reconsider the proposed closure of long term stays. Mr Robinson also queried the extent of accessibility issues referred to in the report, most of which he felt could be easily rectified, and the current bed occupancy.

The Chairman thanked Mr Robinson for his questions and comments.

In response to questions and comments the Committee was advised as follows:-

i)             The figures in the report for short breaks did not include the Shared Lives Service;

ii)            In the last few years approximately 30 people per year with learning disabilities had been placed in residential care by the Council. Clients and their carers were provided a choice of homes and all had chosen to go into private sector accommodation. No admissions  had been made to any of the Council’s in house provision;

iii)           It was highly unlikely that the Care Quality Commission would allow mixed used stay – i.e. long term residential and short breaks in the same building;

iv)           If the Cabinet was minded to proceed with the proposals, officers would work with the residents and their carers to assess their needs and find suitable alternative accommodation. Whilst each assessment would be of the individual and their needs the assessment would also look at relationships and friendships built up over the years and how these could be allowed to continue. In this regard the Director advised that a number of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director of Adults and Communities and Director of Corporate Resources which provided an update on the procurement, quality and delivery of domiciliary care services. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item ‘9’ is filed with these minutes. 

In response to questions and comments the Committee was advised as follows:-

i)             The Department and care providers recognised the difficulties in recruiting and retaining good quality staff and since the new contract, most lead providers now paid between £8.50 to £10.00 per hour plus travelling expenses. The County Council also worked closely with providers to ensure staff received high quality training;

ii)            The new providers Sevacare and Medacs provided most of the new packages of care in their contract area. Direct Health was a new provider and as such some small providers were engaged to provide services in their contract area. With regard to the other care providers there was some need for contingency arrangements but the quality of care provided through contingency was closely monitored;

iii)           The new contract had allowed the Council’s In-House reablement service to focus on hospital discharges and the lower level of delayed discharges was partly attributable to this;

iv)           It was too early to assess the impact of ‘Brexit’ on the care market. Approximately 4% of care sector staff were from the EU and 9% were from non EU countries.

RESOLVED:

That the report and information now provided be noted.

A copy of the report to be submitted to the Cabinet at its meeting on 9 March 2018 is attached.  The Committee is invited to comment on the proposals.  The views of the Committee will be reported to the Cabinet.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities concerning the draft Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Living Well with Dementia Strategy covering the period 2019-2022. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 10’ is filed with these minutes.

Members welcomed the development of the Strategy given the significant number of people now suffering from dementia. The Committee also noted that subject to the outcome of the consultation each individual organisation would be responsible for developing its own action and implementation plan which would sit alongside the LLR wide Strategy.

The Committee noted that the policy identified specifically those with early onset dementia. Members recognised that the cohort of people with early onset dementia was relatively small, that such people would not necessarily wish to access the dementia services now provided which were aimed primarily at those aged 65 and over, and as such would welcome consideration to be given in the emerging action/implementation plans of how the Council and partners might assist this cohort.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet be advised that this Committee welcomes and supports the proposed Strategy but requests that consideration be given to how the needs of those with early onset dementia might be met.

A copy of the report to be submitted to the Cabinet at its meeting on 9 March 2018 is attached.  The Committee is invited to comment on the proposals.  The views of the Committee will be reported to the Cabinet.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director of Adults and Communities concerning a proposal to the Cabinet to consult on a draft Adult Learning Services (LALS) Strategy 2018-2022.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 11’, is filed with these minutes. 

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet be advised that the Committee welcomes and supports the proposed consultation on the Adult Learning Services (LALS) Strategy 2018-2022.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Director of Adults and Communities, the Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources concerning a proposal to be submitted to the Cabinet concerning a business case for the development of Collections Hub.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 12’, is filed with these minutes. 

In reply to questions, the Director advised as follows:-

i)             The final business case was being put together and would include details of the rental agreements for properties currently used to house the collections;

ii)            The option of using the site of the former Birkett House School had been looked at but discounted as it was deemed too small;

iii)           The proposed development would future proof the storage needs of all three Councils for 25 years, as well as provide an opportunity to bring the Collections into one building thereby making them more accessible;

iv)           The pressure on parking at the County Hall site was recognised and the business plan would seek to address the availability of public parking spaces as this was key to accessibility;

v)            If the Cabinet agreed the business case, the Department would consult with experts in the field, such as Leicester University, in the building of the Hub.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet be advised that this Committee supports the proposals now outlined for a new Collections Hub.

A copy of the report to be submitted to the Cabinet at its meeting on 9 March 2018 is attached.  The Committee is invited to comment on the proposals.  The views of the Committee will be reported to the Cabinet.

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities concerning the outcome of further community engagement regarding the proposed transfer of library services in Braunstone Town to community management. A copy of the report marked ‘Agenda Item 13’ is filed with these minutes.

The Committee noted that the current lease arrangement with Braunstone Parish Council meant that the County Council had an on-going financial commitment of £17,000 irrespective of whether the library remained open.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet be advised that, noting the on-going commitment regarding the lease, the Committee supports Option 2 outlined in the report.

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to take place on 5 June 2018 at 2.00pm.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Committee would be held on 5 June 2018 at 2.00pm.