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MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST HELD ON FRIDAY, 15 JUNE 2001, AT THE TAMESIDE METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL OFFICES, ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE
PRESENT:
Members
Councillor Cliff Morris (In the Chair) Bolton
Councillor John Taylor Tameside
Councillor Jim Middleton Tameside
Councillor Leon McGuire St Helens
Councillor David Kelly Wigan
Councillor Frank Gorton Blackburn with Darwen
Councillor Anna Trotman Manchester
Councillor Christine Hudson Salford
Councillor Linda Robinson Rochdale
Councillor Alan Whittaker Lancashire
Councillor Chris Holtom Lancashire
Councillor Frank Roderick Liverpool
Councillor Paul Dolan Trafford
Officers:
David Kerambrum Blackburn with Darwen
David Jones Knowsley
Eve Murphy Salford
Bernard Walker Wigan
Andy Robertson Bolton
Ian Davey Rochdale
Ian Ogden Tameside
Gwylfa Evans Oldham
Peter Hewitt SSNW
Peter Viggers SSNW
Elaine Trotter SSNW
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of:
Councillors
Councillors Mrs Parry (Sefton), Mrs Dalley (Sefton), Froggatt (Warrington), Massey (Halton), Cooley (Manchester), Thompson (Rochdale), Wilkinson (Lancashire), Reid (Blackburn with Darwen), Mrs Joynes (Oldham)
Officers
C Barker (Sefton), P Oliver (Lancashire), C McKinless (Tameside), R Jones (St Helens), K Foote (Blackburn with Darwen), J Goulding (Bury)
NWA/00/64 MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2001 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
MATTERS ARISING
NWA/00/65 REPRESENTATION ON HEALTH STRATEGY GROUP
The meeting was informed that Councillor Strett (Deputy Chair) no longer represented his authority on the SSNW and discussion took place on his replacement on the Regional Health Strategy Group.
RESOLVED:
Agreed that the matter be deferred to the next meeting. In the meantime, Councillor Morris agreed to cover any meetings that occur.
NWA/00/66 TRANSFER OF ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCIAL DUTIES
The transfer of Committee administration from Manchester and Financial matters from Oldham had now taken place and these duties were being undertaken at East Cliff, Preston by SSNW and Lancashire staff.
RESOLVED:
A thank you for all the hard work given by Manchester and Oldham was noted.
NWA/00/67 – MOTION TO SUSPEND RULE 26 TO ALLOW THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE NEXT MEETING
It was noted that due to the recent elections, some member authorities had not yet been able to nominate their representatives for 2001-02. The Chair therefore proposed that Rule 26 be suspended to allow the Annual General Meeting to be held at the next SSNW meeting on 14 September 2001.
RESOLVED
That by reason of the deferment of the 2001 local government elections, and in accordance with Rule 39 of the Association, Rule 26 be suspended to allow the 2001 Annual General Meeting of the Association to be held at the next ordinary meeting on 14 September 2001.
NWA/00/68 – REVIEW OF SSNW WORK PROGRAMME 2000-01
A report of the Coordinator was submitted, reviewing the progress of the Annual Work Programme agreed last year. The Co-ordinator thanked the members and officers who had returned questionnaires: generally the responses were very encouraging.
Discussion took place on how SSNW might move forward and the following issues were discussed. Councillor Holtom (Lancashire) asked that closer links be developed with the NW Regional Assembly. There was a need to continue working closely with our partners in health. Local issues regarding financial pressures were discussed and considered a significant factor.
RESOLVED:
1. That the report and the observations of members at the meeting be noted.
- That a further short questionnaire be sent out to members, including new members, about the content of next year's programme
- That proposals for the Annual Work Programme for 2001-02 be presented to the next meeting.
NWA/00/69 - KEY SERVICE / FINANCIAL PRESSURES
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted which showed the disturbing and continued budgetary pressures being experienced by many member authorities, especially in relation to the costs of residential and nursing home care and increasingly also with regard to foster care and domiciliary care. Councillor Roderick (Liverpool) had concerns about nursing home staff‘s inadequate remuneration and asked if a policy point could be made by us. Councillor Holtom (Lancashire) informed members of his concerns regarding closures of homes in Lancashire, and about the provision of NHS day care to nursing home residents. Members discussed the possibility of a dialogue with the North West Group of Members of Parliament, to facilitate working regionally with them.
RESOLVED:
1. That the report be noted.
2. That officers of SSNW undertake a further joint study with the ADSS(NW) on the key service and financial pressures being faced by authorities, and report back to the next SSNW meeting.
3. That contact be established with the North West MPs group to engage their interest in this and other matters.
NWA/00/70 – CHILDREN’S SERVICES – QUALITY PROTECTS
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted and reference made to new Government Guidance which has now been issued on planning for children services.
Discussion took place on the commitments currently being met by time-limited Quality Protects funding, given that there would only be two more years' funding and then local authorities would need to consider ‘exit strategies’. Clarification and updating was needed from the Government on this matter. Councillor Roderick considered that under funding was a big issue and members said it would be useful for this to be pursued with the LGA.
It was noted that Mrs A Marsland (Director, Knowsley) was the new Lead Director on Children for ADSS North West, and it was likely that she would become the Chair of the Quality Protects Reference Group, which should be asked to address these issues. B Walker (Director, Wigan) mentioned the valuable contribution that both Ian Rush, (until recently Director of Trafford) and Richard Jones, (Director of St Helens), had made to SSNW in their roles as joint lead directors on Children and Families Services.
RESOLVED:
1. That the report be noted.
2. It was agreed that clarification was needed on the longer term funding of the Quality Protects Programme and that, after confering with the Regional Quality Protects Reference Group, the Chair write to the relevant Minister.
3. That a letter of thanks be sent to Ian Rush and Richard Jones for their valued contribution.
NWA/00/71 – MAKING QUALITY COUNT – REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE HELD ON 17 MAY 2001
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted informing members of the positive presentations which had been given by all the presenters, and the positive evaluations given by those attending. Key issues for further action had been identified at the Conference, and were referred to in paragraph 2.7. of the report.
RESOLVED:
The report was agreed and noted by Members
NWA/00/72 – WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted, noting the rapidly changing situation following the passing of the Health and Social Care Act. There was an apparent anomaly regarding Community Health Councils (CHC’s) and the new scrutiny and advocacy arrangements, since the two now existed side by side. At the same time the configuration of NHS organisations was seemingly undergoing rapid change and examples were cited from Rochdale and Lancashire. Several members requested an update on the evolving situation regarding Primary Care Trusts and other NHS organisations. It was recognised that there was an urgent need to track this and a meeting was required quickly with the Regional Office of the NHS.
RESOLVED:
1. That the report be noted
- That a further high-level meeting be arranged with the Regional Office of the NHS E£xecutive as soon as possible.
- That contact be made with the North West Regional Association of Community Health Councils to address issues of public and patient representation and scrutiny of the NHS
- That further consideration be given to how, through Care Trusts and other mechanisms, local authorities and NHS organisations can build on present joint arrangements for the benefit of service users and carers in their local communities.
NWA/00/73 – SSNW DIRECTORY OF RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted on publication of the updated Directory. Great concern was expressed by members about the cost of out of authority placements and in the light of this Councillor Taylor (Tameside) proposed that a feasibility study be undertaken as to how local authorities in the North West could work together on direct residential provision for children, in order to drive down prices whilst ensuring quality. B Walker (Director, Wigan) informed members that work had been done on this by NCH Action for Children on behalf of the ADSS (NW), and this would provide a good starting point and help to identify costs and needs.
RESOLVED:
1. That the report be noted
2. That a further report be presented to the next meeting on the feasibility of direct provision of residential provision for children by North West local authorities acting jointly.
NWA/00/74 – CHARGES FOR POLICE CHECKS ON VOLUNTEERS
A report of the Co-ordinator was submitted on this issue, and members were informed that a positive response had since been received from the Home Office which confirmed that the Criminal Records Bureau will issue disclosures free of charge for volunteers working with vulnerable people as well as with children. It was gratifying to see that the lobbying of Social Services North West and others had played a part in bringing about this satisfactory result
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
NWA/00/75 – DATE OF NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED:
That the next meeting be held at Blackburn with Darwen on Friday, 14 September 2001, and that this will be the 2001 Annual General Meeting of Social Services North West.
SSNW
19 June 2001
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