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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST (NWASSA) HELD ON 11 OCTOBER 2000 AT BOLTON TOWN HALL
PRESENT:
Members:
Councillor Morris (Chair) (Bolton)
Councillor Strett (Deputy Chair) (Wigan)
Councillor McGuire (St Helens)
Councillor Keith (Knowsley)
Councillor Baker (Knowsley)
Councillor Beasley (Rochdale)
Councillor Hudson (Salford)
Councillor Joynes (Oldham)
Councillor Dolan (Trafford)
Councillor Trotman (Manchester)
Councillor Cooley (Manchester)
Councillor Holtom (Lancashire)
Councillor Clare (Bolton)
Councillor Howarth (Bolton)
Councillor Robinson (Bolton)
Councillor Rimmer (Sefton)
Councillor McInerny (Halton)
Councillor Reid (Blackburn)
Councillor Gorton (Blackburn)
Councillor Whittaker (Lancashire)
Councillor Wilkinson (Lancashire)
Councillor Middleton (Sefton)
Officers:
A Williams (Salford)
D Friday (Oldham)
M A Siegal (Cumbria)
E Clarke (Bury)
S Lightup (Bolton)
A Marsland (Knowsley)
B Walker (Wigan)
P Cassidy (Manchester)
P Pattenden (Sefton)
G Staniland (Trafford)
E de Souza (Manchester)
P J Hewitt (SSNW)
P J Viggers (SSNW)
E Trotter (SSNW)
Apologies
Members:
Councillors Connor (Salford), Scarlett (Bury), Finley (Cumbria), Massey (Bolton), Froggatt (Warrington), Thompson
(Rochdale)
Officers:
C. McKinless (Tameside), I. Rush (Trafford), I. Davey (Rochdale), J. Wilson (Bury), A. Robertson (Bolton),
G. Evans (Oldham), S. Wilds (Sefton)
NWA/00/26 - MINUTES:
It was noted that this meeting was being held on a later date than planned. The meeting scheduled for 16 September
2000 at Wigan was postponed until today on account of the fuel supply crisis prevailing at that time.
RESOLVED/
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2000 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
NWA/00/27 -MATTERS ARISING:
None.
NWA/0028 -W ORKING WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION:
A report of the Co-ordinator was considered on plans for the joint meeting between Social Services North West and
the Local Government Association (being held later today), and showing progress to September 2000.
RESOLVED/
That the report be noted.
NWA/00/29 -WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE:
The report of the Co-ordinator was considered on developments in relation to the proposals of the NHS Confederation
concerning the commissioning of social care for older people; the meeting between Social Service North West and
the Regional Chair of the NHS Executive, and the publication of the NHS Plan. The Co-ordinator confirmed that the
NHS plan did not indicate general transfer of care responsibilities for older people from social services to the
NHS, but there would be a greater emphasis on partnerships; in this context the letter received from Gisela Stuart
(a health minister) to Michael Meacher MP gives encouragement to the idea of partnership working as the way forward
for the future. It was reported that a Regional Director for Mental Health has been appointed by the NHS Executive
North West, and that there was a role for local authorities to establish liaison.
A conference was proposed on the future of the NHS and social services, with a key note speech by Professor Gerald
Wistow of the Nuffield Institute for Health, University of Leeds, to be held in January 2001.
RESOLVED/
1. The report be noted.
2. It was agreed that a conference should be set up and that a Minister also be invited to attend.
NWA/00/30 - CHILDREN'S RIGHTS COMMISSIONER - RESPONSES:
A report of the Co-ordinator was considered on the response to the Social Services North West's letter to all MP's
serving the areas of member authorities, urging that the office of Children's Rights Commissioner be established.
The Professional Assistant reported that 18 responses had been received from MPs following from SSNW's letter seeking
support for the establishment of the proposed post. Eight had been supportive the rest made no comment. Cllr Joynes
asked for a list of the supportive responses and this was to be provided later.
RESOLVED/
That the report be noted.
NWA/00/31 - QUALITY PROTECTS - REGIONAL ACTION IN THE NORTH WEST:
The Director of Social Services, Trafford, acting as joint lead on Children's Services, submitted a briefing note,
which is attached for members information. The Professional Assistant outlined the main points. It was agreed that
the potential for collaboration between authorities on commissioning is an important issue, and a further report
was requested in due course.
RESOLVED/
That the report be noted.
NWA/00/32 - ASYLUM SEEKERS:
An officer from Manchester Social Services gave a verbal report updating members about negotiations progressing
between the North West Consortium (East) (Greater Manchester and Lancashire along with Blackpool and Blackburn
with Darwen) and the Home Office. A meeting had occurred the previous day and an early agreement was hoped for.
All the authorities involved have been appraised of the details and the prospective agreement looks to be satisfactory.
The Home Office is expecting there to be a significant fall in asylum seekers numbers next year. It was reported
by the Professional Assistant that - following Liverpool's recent withdrawal from the National Asylum Support Service
- negotiations are continuing between the North West Consortium (Mersey and Cumbria Region) and the Home Office.
RESOLVED/
That the report be noted.
NWA/00/33 - PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT AND QUALITY STRATEGY:
A report of the Co-ordinator was considered, outlining two key Government documents which further define the
development of quality standards and performance assessment for social services. The Co-ordinator reported that
a conference on Human Resources "People Need People" is planned for 24 November 2000, and the support
of members was requested.
As Performance Assessment figures for each authority were about to be published, concern was expressed about an
over reliance on statistics as an indicator of quality of service. It was proposed that Social Services North West
should respond to current press interest linking the PAF and the financial pressures issues, in particular regarding
the increase in performance and efficiency in an environment of increasing financial stringency. Cllr Reid (Blackburn
with Darwen) said that better mechanisms of performance assessment were needed to effectively measure quality.
RESOLVED/
1. That the report be noted.
2. That a joint event with ADSS(NW) on Human Resources issues on 24 November 2000 be supported and that a further
event be arranged on the implications of current changes for councillors carrying responsibility for personal social
services.
3. That a mechanism be determined for conveying a response to the Quality Strategy paper by 21 November 2000.
4. That the Manchester Evening News be contacted on the question of performance assessment and financial pressures.
NWA/00/34 -CONFERENCE PROGRAMME - AUTUMN 2000:
A report of the Co-ordinator was considered, outlining the Social Services North West Programme for 2000 and updating
members on its progress.
The Professional Assistant reported that the two held so far had been successful. The Foster Care Event had been
attended by over 50 people including 11 Councillors, and the feedback was positive. Reference was also made to
the forthcoming conferences on the Paddington Rail Crash and Human Resources "People Need People.
RESOLVED/
That the report be noted.
NWA/00/35 - KEY SERVICES/FINANCIAL PRESSURES:
A report of the Co-ordinator on financial pressures facing social services authorities in the North West was considered.
The Professional Assistant referred to the findings outlined in the policy paper based on the responses of 19 authorities
that had responded to date. Extra money is being made available but there are real problems of dealing with increased
demands.
B. Walker (Director, Wigan) said that the seriousness of the situation should not be underestimated, and cited
the 13 authorities who had reported overspending on Children's Agency Budgets along with the growth in delayed
discharges. Social Services have to manage the consequences of additional money being made available to the NHS.
All authorities are facing problems in relation to the ending of the modernisation grant. Concern needs to be expressed
forcefully to the LGA. Cllr Reid referred to money being made available through Social Exclusion Grants and Neighbourhood
Renewal for instance, requiring a response from social services. These are corporate agendas and can conflict with
the need to ensure that social services is adequately funded. M. Siegal, Director Cumbria warned that there was
a danger of PAF encouraging a blame culture. Cllr Rimmer asked how much money will be needed to achieve the desired
results.
RESOLVED/
That the report be noted and the proposed action be endorsed.
NWA/00/36 -NORTH WEST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY - RESEARCH INTO DISABILITY ISSUES:
A report of the Co-ordinator was considered on research into regional disability issues on behalf of the North
West Regional Assembly. During discussion it was agreed that greater contact be encouraged between SSNW and the
North West Regional Assembly.
RESOLVED/
1. That the report be noted and that arrangements be made for a presentation to be given on the findings of the
research at the next meeting.
2. That a meeting the Co-ordinator set up a meeting with the representatives of the North West Regional Assembly.
NWA/00/37 - CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE:
A report of the Co-ordinator celebrating the recent achievements in good practice of member authorities was submitted.
The Co-ordinator referred to the exhibition stands set out in the Festival Hall and the report was noted. Cumbria
submitted their information too late for the written report and their information is attached.
RESOLVED/
That the report be noted.
NWA/00/38 -RAISING THE PROFILE OF SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST:
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted, providing updated information on the action being taken to raise
the profile of Social Services North West. The Co-ordinator in particular drew members' attention to the launch
of the SSNW web site at today's meeting with representatives of the Local Government Association.
RESOLVED/
1. That the report be noted.
NWA/00/39 - NEXT MEETING:
RESOLVED/
That the next meeting be held on 15 December 2000 at Blackpool.
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