Minutes:
The Board considered a report of the
Strategic Director, Policy and Resources regarding the 1st Quarter Monitoring
Report for:
·
Prevention
and Commissioning Services; and
·
Complex
Needs.
The following points arose from the
discussion:-
·
Page 46
– CCC14 – Clarity was sought on the performance being slightly less in
comparison to the same period last year.
The Board was advised that the carers figure was reported in the monthly
team report and exceptions were also reported to the operational teams.
The figure reported carers who had received either an assessment or a review and
had received services. A large number of carers would already be in
receipt of a service (i.e. DP) and to count against the PI they had to have
been reviewed in the same financial year.
This ensured that the teams conducted timely reviews / reassessments, ensured
that all relevant carers could be counted against the PI and also have their
care/support package reviewed in line with their needs. A member of
performance also met monthly with the operational teams, in order to monitor
that regular reviews were taking place for carers and this in turn, increased
the figure for CCC14.
·
Page 47
– CCC4 – Clarity was sought on performance relating to 581 clients, there being
twelve less than the previous year.
In response, it was reported that between one year
and the next, a number of clients’ packages closed and new clients came on the
system to receive services. Between Q1 2010 and Q1 2011, there were 12
less clients. There may be many reasons for this fluctuation. After checking some
of the client records it was found that a client had died in one case and in
another the professional support that they received in one year had been closed
and therefore they did not appear in the 2011 statistics. It was suggested
that the figures were monitored closely in Q2 and if there appeared to be a
decline, further investigation would be required in conjunction with the
operational team.
·
Page 27
– Second Paragraph – Clarity was sought on the £256,000. Information was also sought on the 12 monthly
spend/budget profile for the community care budget and what remedial actions
were being taken.
In response, it was reported that if the spend remained static for the remainder of the year the projected
overspend within community care would be £1.4m.
However, it was reported that a recovery plan was in place to dampen the
increase in community care and spend in certain areas had started to decrease.
In reply, further details were requested and it
was reported that additional information would be circulated to Members of the Board.
·
Page 41
– Health Watch – clarity was sought on how partnerships would be undertaken
with other Councils.
In response, it was reported that under current arrangements for the
Link, the Host organisation was jointly commissioned with St Helens Borough
Council. In moving forward with the development of Health watch, commissioners,
along with stakeholders, would consider the advantages and disadvantages of
working in partnership with other Local Authorities.
·
Page 49
– Employees Expenditure – Clarity was sought on the 12 month spend / budget
profile and what remedial action was being considered.
In response, it was reported that the main area of staffing overspend in Commissioning and Complex related
to the Housing Solutions Team. This was
due to sickness and vacant posts and that agency staff had to be recruited to
ensure the service continued. However, the
vacant posts had now been recruited and all agency staff would be finished by 1st
October 2011. In addition, this
accompanied with stopping non essential spend in all areas would stop the overspend from rising.
In reply, further details were requested and it
was reported that additional information would be circulated to Members of the Board.
RESOLVED: That the report and comments made
be noted.
Supporting documents: