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Minutes of the Meeting of Social Services North West
Held on 21 December 2001
at Warrington Town Hall
PRESENT
Members
Councillor Keith, Deputy Chair (in the Chair) Knowsley
Councillor Roderick Liverpool
Councillor Phillips Liverpool
Councillor Holtom Lancashire
Councillor Connor Salford
Councillor Clare Bolton
Councillor Froggatt Warrington
Councillor O’Neill Wigan
Councillor Dolan Trafford
Councillor Taylor Tameside
Councillor Fletcher St Helens
Officers
D Whitehead Warrington
A Williams Salford
A Robertson Bolton
J Blott Wigan
B McConnell Sefton
J Coulter Knowsley
G Taylor Halton
C McKinless Tameside
P Hewitt SSNW
P Viggers SSNW
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of:
Councillors
Councillor Morris (Bolton - Chair), Councillor Parker (Cumbria), Councillor Joynes (Oldham), Councillor Reid (Blackburn with Darwen), Councillor Middleton (Tameside), Councillor Ormerod (Lancashire), Councillor Dalley (Sefton).
Officers
M Siegal (Cumbria), K Foote (Blackburn with Darwen), A Marsland (Knowsley), S Pullan (Blackpool), P Oliver (Lancashire), S Lightup (St Helens).
SSNW 01/14 MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2001 at Blackburn be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
Matters Arising
Re Minute SSNW 01/ 08
Councillor O’Neill asked why no delegation had yet been to London to meet Ministers on financial concerns. The Co-ordinator explained that all the MPs serving the areas of member authorities had been invited to the joint meeting with the LGA but only two had attended. It had been felt that there was as yet insufficient support amongst MPs for our concerns, but the issue could be further addressed later in the meeting.
SSNW 01/ 15 MINUTES OF THE JOINT MEETING OF SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST AND THE LGA SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND HEALTH EXECUTIVE
RESOLVED
1. The minutes be approved as a correct record of the joint meeting held on 23 November 2001 at Bolton.
- The Social Services North West Policy Papers - November 2001 be received and endorsed.
SSNW 01/ 16 REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION AND RULES
The Co-ordinator SSNW introduced this item which incorporated the amendments agreed at the previous meeting of the Committee.
RESOLVED
That the revised Constitution and Rules be received and confirmed.SSNW 01/ 17 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – REVISED 2001/ 02 AND ORIGINAL 2002/03 BUDGETS
The Co-ordinator SSNW introduced the item and referred members to the revised sheet for Appendix 1 distributed at the meeting. Income from the TOPSS contract and conferences are expected to exceed budgeted levels despite an increased contribution to Lancashire for office services. The draft budget for next year requires a small drawing on reserves to break even but if the TOPSS contract is renewed, this should ensure a surplus.
RESOLVED
1. That the revised estimates of income and expenditure be noted and that a final decision on subscription levels be taken at the March 2002 meeting.
SSNW 01/ 18 KEY SERVICE / FINANCIAL PRESSURES
The Professional Assistant SSNW introduced the report, which included letters on behalf of Social Services North West to Ministers at the DoH and DTLR, and their responses. The discussion at the joint meeting with the LGA and MPs was referred to, along with the Local Government Financial Settlement in December, which brought no new money even for children’s services. In addition to the increased demand and rising costs being experienced by member authorities, it was now clear that further pressures will be caused by other changes being introduced by the Government which were insufficiently funded. These included the cessation of preserved rights, the guidance on charging policies, the introduction of free nursing care and the removal of funds from local authorities following the setting up of the National Care Standards Commission. Also, the expectation of increased capacity in community care to reduce delayed discharges from hospital was not adequately funded.
Cllr Connor expressed grave concern about the financial situation facing member authorities in 2002/03. He said that councillors should not have to take responsibility for cuts caused by financial shortfalls, and stressed the need for a joint plan to provide a major role for SSNW in encouraging Ministers to listen to our concerns and act upon them. Cllr O’Neill supported the proposed deputation to Westminster but stressed the need to gather facts and evidence to present to Ministers. Cllr Taylor cited the review of education funding and suggested that a formula for funding for social services could be identified to present to Ministers. The value of both individual and joint approaches to Ministers was recognised. A meeting with Ministers should include a Treasury representative as well as DH and DTLR.
The Co-ordinator SSNW suggested the need for a two-stage approach – to identify urgent issues and press for a quick response, and work also at the longer term aspects such as funding formulas. Social Services North West can collate the data from individual LAs to build a regional picture to present to Ministers.
Cllr Dolan stressed the need to meet with MP’s as soon as possible. Cllr Froggatt urged that a publicity campaign be considered. Cllr Connor offered officer support from Salford and the Co-ordinator, SSNW will follow this up.
G Taylor (Director, Halton) referred to the recent meeting of ADSS NW with SSI and Treasury representatives, and supported a joint two-stage approach.
RESOLVED
1. That members note the report
2. That an early high level meeting with relevant Ministers and MPs from the region be arranged.3. That member authorities undertake further work in preparation for this meeting, by providing local information for collation regionally, and by gaining the support of their local MP’s with a view to influencing Ministers.
4. That a publicity strategy be developed, with Salford's support.
SSNW 01/ 19 CHILDREN'S SERVICES
The Professional Assistant SSNW introduced the report, which had been prepared jointly with the ADSS NW Lead Director for Children’s Services. Members' concerns about escalating placement costs were recognised, along with the need to maximise co-operation between authorities. In this connection the event to be held in January for Assistant Directors was highlighted, along with the Best Value Reviews being conducted by member authorities, as outlined in the report.
A Robertson (Director, Bolton) said that effective working together was happening across the region and cited also the DTLR Pathfinder project promoted by Greater Manchester Chief Executives which was also special needs education costs. In many authorities, the move to in-house small units was proving a positive way forward, and he was confident that further co-operation would flow from the January event for Assistant Directors.
Cllr O’Neill expressed surprise that members had not been encouraged to be involved and asked that they are given more input in future. He also asked that synopsis information from Best Value Reviews be shared between authorities. A conference on children’s services was also proposed for mid 2002.
RESOLVED.
1. That members note the report
2. That a further report on Best Value Reviews, the January event and other developments be presented to the next meeting.
3. That synopses of Best Value Reviews be shared between member authorities
4. That a conference on children's issues be organised for mid 2002.
SSNW 01/ 20 WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE
The Co-ordinator SSNW referred to recent activity by SSNW; particularly the responses sent to the Department of Health on Involving Patients and the Public in Healthcare and Shifting the Balance of Power within the NHS: Creating Strategic Health Authorities. The formation of three Strategic Health Authorities (StHA’s) in the Region was highlighted, along with the need to establish liaison with their Chairs and Chief Executives and with the new Regional Director of Health and Social Care.
Councillor Holtom stressed the value of patient and community involvement in the new Primary Care Trusts, and the importance of SSNW’s involvement in future developments. The Co-ordinator suggested that we needed to share with new post holders the value of the established tradition of meetings between SSNW and Health. It would also be useful to encourage greater Ministerial involvement, by for instance inviting Hazel Blears, MP for Salford and Minister in DH, to speak at a proposed conference in the New Year on involving patients and the public.
Councillor Dolan expressed concern that the new Strategic Health Authorities would be too large and remote. Councillor Connor said it was important for the groups of local authorities within each Strategic Health Authority area to co-ordinate their approaches to that body. Councillor Fletcher (St Helens) stressed the need to find out more about the role of StHA’s in relation to Primary Care Trusts.
Councillor Clare expressed concern that the new bodies replacing the Community Health Councils would not have the power to visit NHS institutions at will, as CHCs had done. Councillor O'Neill asked that any conference should build in some specialist input on NHS finance.
RESOLVED
1. That the report be noted and the responses made on behalf of SSNW be endorsed.
2. That further work be undertaken with appropriate partners on involving Patients and the Public in Healthcare.
3. That contact be made with the new Regional Director for Health and Social Care and with the Chairs and Chief Executives of the three new Strategic Health Authorities being set up in the North West, seeking appropriate meetings.
4. That a further conference on health issues be held in Spring 2002, possibly with NHS partners.
5. That a further report be made to the next meeting.
SSNW 01/ 21 LEARNING DISABILITY
The Co-ordinator introduced the report highlighted the successful conference held by SSNW on 26 September and the formation of the Regional Task Force for implementing Valuing People., along with possible future initiatives. These could include a website for the exchange of information and good practice within the region, and an event for members later in the year about working in strategic partnerships with people with a learning disability and family carers.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted and a further report be prepared in due course.
SSNW 01/ 22 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There being no other business, the Vice Chair SSNW thanked the Borough of Warrington for their hospitality and the meeting was closed.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Friday 15 March 2002 at Salford
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