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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST (NWASSA), HELD ON FRIDAY 16 MARCH 2001, AT THE LAWSON HOUSE
HOTEL, RUNCORN.
PRESENT
Members
Councillor Morris (In the Chair) - Bolton
Councillor Gorton - Blackburn with Darwen
Councillor Wright - Blackpool
Councillor Massey - Halton
County Councillor Holtom - Lancashire
County Councillor Wilkinson - Lancashire
Councillor Cooley - Manchester
Councillor Joynes - Oldham
Councillor McGuire - St Helens
Councillor Dolan - Trafford
Councillor Harpin - Warrington
Councillor Kelly - Wigan
Officers
A. Robertson - Bolton
S. Pullan - Blackpool
M. Milton - Halton
A. Marsland - Knowsley
P. Oliver - Lancashire
G. Mason - Manchester
I. Davey - Rochdale
J. Pearson - Sefton
I. Rush - Trafford
B.Walker - Wigan
P.Viggers - Social Services North West
P. Hewitt - Social Services North West
E. Trotter - Social Services North West
B. McAlinden (Secretariat) - Manchester
Apologies were submitted on behalf of:
Councillors:
Pollitt (Lancashire), Keith (Knowsley), Thompson (Rochdale), Hudson(Salford),
Rimmer (Sefton),Froggatt(Warrington), Strett (Wigan) , Middleton (Tameside)
Officers
K. Foote (Blackburn with Darwen), M. Siegal (Cumbria), G Taylor( Halton), A.Sheppard(Liverpool), A.Williams (Salford),
C. Barker (Sefton), R.Jones (St Helens), C. McKinless (Tameside) and D Whitehead (Warrington).
Mr P. Brearley, Assistant Chief Inspector - Social Services Inspectorate
NWA/00/52 -MINUTES
RESOLVED/
That the minutes of the meeting held on 15th December 2001 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
NWA/00/53- TOPSS ENGLAND - ADMINISTRATION OF NORTH WEST REGIONAL TRAINING FORUM
A report of the Co-ordinator was considered on whether Social Services North West should offer to continue the
administration of the TOPSS England North West Regional Training Forum for years 2001-02.
The Co-ordinator informed the Committee that it was felt appropriate that SSNW become ac-tively involved with the
work of the Forum.
RESOLVED/
That subject to satisfactory agreement on terms and confirmation by TOPSS England and the Regional Training Forum,
Social Services North West continue to provide administrative service to the Forum during 2001-02.
NWA/00/54 - KEY SERVICES / FINANCIAL PRESSURES
A report of the Co-ordinator was considered on representations made on behalf of Social Serv-ices North West to
Ministers about financial pressures on social services in the North West, the replies from Ministers, and links
with established with the Special Interest Group of Municipal Authorities (SIGOMA).
Members were in agreement that this issue should be kept on the agenda.
RESOLVED/
That a report be submitted to the June meeting on the key issues on which progress needs to be made.
NWA/00/55 - CHILDREN'S SERVICES ISSUES
A report of the Co-ordinator was considered giving consideration to the current position of So-cial Services North
West, in relation to issues concerning children.
It was emphasized that the focus of planning at regional level by officers has moved away from ADSS on its own,
to the multi-agency Quality Protects Reference Group, chaired by Richard Jones, Director, Social Services, St.
Helens.
RESOLVED/
1. That the report be noted.
2. That a further report be submitted to the June 2001 meeting detailing how various issues re-lating to services
for children should be progressed.
NWA/00/56 - WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted outlining recent developments in relation to Social Services North West's
agenda with the National Health Service Plan and the meeting with the Regional Chair of the National Health Service
Executive.
There was general agreement that valuable work had been done in moving things forward and on the need to continue
high level discussions with the National Health Service.
Members commented favourably on the Conference held at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton on 18 January 2001. It was noted
that good relationships have been established with a number of groups /trusts/authorities and the importance was
stressed about keeping up momentum already made.
The issue of governance of Care Trusts was raised and Councillor Dolan said that we were rely-ing on 'good people'
in various organisations, people who were committed and will take things forward. If this commitment was not there
it would be very difficult for any progress to be made.
The Chair suggested that a conference be arranged in the Autumn on Care Trusts.
RESOLVED/
1. That the report be noted.
2. That the Regional Director of the National Health Service Executive be approached about the need for continuing
periodic high-level meetings between the Executive and Social Services North West into the future.
3. That further work be undertaken on how, through Care Trusts and other mechanisms, local authorities and National
Health Service organisations can build on present joint arrangements for the benefit of service users and carers
in their local communities.
4. That the Co-ordinator be asked to make arrangements for a conference to be held in the Autumn on Care Trusts
and related issues.
NWA/00/57 - PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT AND THE QUALITY STRATEGY
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted on developments in the key area of the Annual Work Programme.
RESOLVED/
1. That the report be noted.
2. That a conference be arranged on quality and performance management issues, drawing on the themes referred to
in this report. The conference to be held on 17 May 2001 at the Reebok Sta-dium, Bolton.
NWA/00/58 - CHARGES FOR POLICE CHECKS ON VOLUNTEERS
A report a the Co-ordinator was submitted relating to the charges for the vetting of volunteers working with vulnerable
people.
The point was made that the vetting of workers does not appear to include people/ groups work-ing with adults.
It was pointed out that the Home Office was taking the lead on this issue fol-lowing an announcement by David Blunkett,
Secretary of State for Education and Employment, that the cost of vetting workers with voluntary groups serving
children would be met by the Government.
RESOLVED/
1. That the report be noted.
2. That the motion carried by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council be endorsed.
3. That the relevant Ministers be approached to clarify which organizations will benefit from the dropping of charges
for vetting voluntary workers, and to emphasize the importance of protect-ing all vulnerable people through proper
vetting of volunteers.
NWA/00/59 - WORKING WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
A report of the Co-ordinator was considered submitted on the continuing links with the Local Government Association
following the joint meeting between Social Services North West and the Local Government Association held in Bolton
on 11 October 2000.
It was noted that the Chair of the Social Affairs and Health Executive, Councillor Rita String-fellow, had referred
to the meeting at the Edinburgh Conference. It was felt that a further meet-ing be held although it was noted that
Rita Stringfellow would not be available for any meeting held on a Friday.
RESOLVED/
1. That the positive response of the Local Government Association be welcomed, and that ar-rangements be made for
a further meeting on a mutually convenient date in Autumn 2001. The September business meeting to be rescheduled
for the morning of the same day, following last year's model
NWA/00/60 - WORKING WITH THE NORTH WEST DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted on progress in building contacts with the North West Development Agency
It was agreed that it was important that links with the North West Development Agency be maintained and developed.
RESOLVED/
1. That the report, and the minutes of the meeting of the North West Health Partnership on 1 February 2001, be
noted.
2. That officers investigate the possibility of further useful links with the North West Develop-ment Agency and
report back to a future meeting.
NWA/00/61 - WORKING WITH THE NORTH WEST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY
A report was of the Co-ordinator was considered on establishing links between the North West Regional Assembly
and Social Services North West.
RESOLVED/
1. That the report be noted.
2. That the Chair, Councillor Morris, be appointed as the Social Services North West representa-tive for co-option
to the North West Regional Assembly Economy and Society Key Priority Group.
NWA/00/62 - ARRANGEMENTS FOR PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT TO SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST AND BUDGET 2001/2002
A joint report of the Co-ordinator and the Financial Adviser was submitted detailing action nec-essary to secure
continuing support to Social Services North West.
The Co-ordinator introduced the report and said that there has been a consolidation of the Social Services North
West team who were now based at, and on the employee roll of Lancashire County Council. Discussions had been held
with Manchester City Council who provide the Sec-retarial duties and Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council who acted
as the Financial Advisers. Pauline Oliver, Director, Social Services, Lancashire informed the Committee that Lancashire
County Council had agreed to all functions of Social Services North West staff carrying out the secretarial and
financial advisory roles.
It would be necessary to amend the Committee's Terms of Reference and Constitution.
To help spread the costs of these changes, it was proposed that there be a 2.5% increase in annual subscriptions
from each member authority and that a small increase be made in conference fees.
At this point the Co-ordinator, Professional Assistant and the Clerical Assistant left the meeting for the duration
of consideration of the report.
County Councillor Wilkinson suggested that those North West authorities that are not members of the association
be informed of recent progress made by Social Services North West, and that they be contacted with an invitation
to join.
Councillor Dolan indicated that there were a lot of voluntary groups in the North West and that it would be beneficial
to them and this Committee to invite them to some of the conferences that are to be arranged.
RESOLVED/
1. That the post of Co-ordinator ( 15 hours per week) be made permanent.
2. That the secretarial services to Social Services North West be provided in future from the Pre-ston office,
and that the Chief Executive of Manchester and his staff be thanked for their past services to Social Services
North West and NWASSA over thirty years.
3. That financial services to Social Services North West be provided in future from the Preston office and the
finance function of Lancashire Social Services, and that the Director of Corporate Services in Oldham and his staff
be thanked for their past services.
4. That the other budgetary changes outlined in this report be approved.
5. That the proposed budget for 2001/2002, and the subscriptions of member authorities, as set out in the appendix
to the report be approved.
6. That those non member authorities in the North West be contacted and appraised of the prog-ress being made by
Social Services North West and be invited to join the association.
7. That contact be made with the voluntary sector and that they be invited to future conferences arranged by Social
Services North West.
NWA/00/63 - NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED/
That the next meeting, the Annual General Meeting, be held on 16 June 2001 in Tameside.
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