Quarterly Meeting of
Social Services North West

15 March 2002 at Salford

Minutes of the Meeting of Social Services North West

Held on 15 MARCH 2002 at THE CIVIC CENTRE, SALFORD

PRESENT

Members

Councillor Morris (Chair)                                  Bolton

Councillor Keith, (Deputy Chair)                           Knowsley

Councillor Connor                                                 Salford

Councillor O’Neill                                                 Wigan

Councillor Thompson                                            Rochdale

County Councillor Easton                                  Lancashire

Councillor Lloyd                                                   Trafford

Councillor Joynes                                                  Oldham

Councillor Candler                                                Stockport

Councillor Gorton                                                 Blackburn

Officers

M Cooney                                                                    Bolton

E Murphy                                                                     Salford

J Daintith                                                                      Stockport

A Marsland                                                                  Knowsley

G Meehan                                                                    Wigan

P  Hewitt                                                                      SSNW

P Viggers                                                                      SSNW

E Trotter                                                                     SSNW

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of:

Councillors

Councillor Parker (Cumbria), Councillor Holtom (Lancashire), Councillor Dolan (Trafford), Councillor Middleton (Tameside), Councillor Roderick (Liverpool), Councillor Cooley (Manchester), Councillor Fletcher (St Helens), Councillor Phillips (Liverpool), Councillor Froggatt (Warrington)

Officers

P Oliver (Lancashire), C McKinless (Tameside), C Barker (Sefton), G Evans (Oldham), I Davey (Rochdale), A Robertson (Bolton), A Williams (Salford), S Lightup (St Helens), D Whitehead (Warrington)

SSNW 01/23            MINUTES

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 December 2001 at Warrington be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Matters Arising

There were no items under Matters Arising.

SSNW 01/24            INCOME AND EXPENDITURE – Revised 2001/02 and Original 2002/03 Budget

The Co-ordinator reported that the projected outturn for 2001/2002 was a small surplus, due to work being carried out by Social Services North West for TOPSS England.  In view of the healthy financial position, it was explained to the meeting that the 2002/2003 subscriptions would only require an inflationary increase of 2.5%.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the revised estimates of income and expenditure be noted.

2.      That members agree the subscriptions for 2002/03 as set out in Appendix B

SSNW 01/25            KEY SERVICE / FINANCIAL PRESSURES

The Professional Assistant presented the above item and informed the meeting of the recent delegation on 12 March 2002 to the Houses of Parliament to meet with MPs.  The meeting had been positive, the purpose being to highlight the insufficient funding available to Social Services.  In the North West there was an over spend of £9.6 million, with an underlying over spend of £14.55 million.  Key pressures include Children’s services, where children tended to be in care longer with an increased complexity of problems, also specific grants of limited duration.

At the meeting at Westminster, the financial pressures and shortfalls impacting on social services were highlighted.  It was felt by Members who had attended the meeting in London that discussions had been positive and of great value.  MPs had been made aware of the North West’s difficulties and were broadly supportive.

Councillor O’Neill (Wigan) thanked all who had contributed to the success of the visit, which he felt resulted in a very civilised discussion. He believed that MPs were very supportive and that they should be provided with further briefing papers as appropriate.

Councillor Keith (Deputy Chair) said the event was very encouraging, the turnout of at least 20 MPs was excellent, they stayed for the duration (in itself an achievement) and their feedback had been positive.  He thanked SSNW members for their contributions, and the officers for their efforts in making the event a success.  He asked that David Crausby MP be written to thanking him for his assistance with arranging the meeting.

Cllr Joynes (Oldham) stressed that in addition to the financial pressures mentioned there was also a serious problem regarding charges for social services non-residential services.  There had been a major impact on Oldham’s budget as many recipients of services were on benefits as in many other authorities, and there are not enough clients paying the full charges to absorb the losses.  Councillor Morris said that we will approach the LGA to see if they are lobbying or can lobby on this matter.

In concluding the discussion, Councillor Morris referred to the Department of Health Press Release issued the following day, reporting a speech by Alan Milburn accepting the need for more investment in social services.  However, pending the announcement of the Comprehensive Spending Review in the summer, the pressure would need to continue.

RESOLVED:

1.         That members note the above report and action taken already.

2.         That a letter be written to David Crausby MP on behalf of SSNW, thanking him for his help in organising the visit to Westminster.

3.         That the LGA  be approached concerning representations to the government over the issue of charges for non-residential services.

SSNW 01/26            CHILDRENS SERVICES

The Professional Assistant outlined the recent developments, in particular the success of the Lowry event aimed at Assistant Directors in Social Services (Children and Families) as well as the SSI Inspection report based on a sample of local authority foster care services.  Key issues around commissioning and child protection were clearly emerging.  Anita Marsland, Director Knowsley Social Services emphasised that in the North West we had a good history of co-operation, and this now needed to be built upon.  Children’s services should now have high priority, and be linked linked to education and health services.  Much enthusiasm had been generated. An action plan had been drawn up, the main issues including: commissioning, child protection and human resources

It was agreed as a result of this conference that Children’s services should be put high on the ADSS agenda.  Discussion took place as to whether it would be beneficial for a Children’s issue Conference to be organised later in the year.   It was reported that Professor Al Aynsley Green – Head of the Children’s Task Force and the key speaker at the Lowry event was very keen to speak to members.

Councillor Thompson (Rochdale) expressed concern about recruitment practices in the region in Children’s services, and the need for a more collaborative approach. He also wondered if we could again work more closely regarding foster care fees.

Councillor Connor agreed that there was a need to deal with competition between authorities regarding fostering and recruitment practices, by developing a strategy and aiming for more uniformity and being clearer about the facts so that outside agencies don’t take advantage. He highlighted the national shortage of social workers.  Councillor Morris agreed there was a need to look at the broader picture.

RESOLVED:

1.         Members noted the above report.

2.         That a conference on Children’s issues be organised to be held later in the year for the purpose of aiding working together collaboratively and effectively across the Region.

SSNW 01/27            WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE

The Co-ordinator reported on developments in relation to Involving Patients and the Public in Healthcare; the implementation of the modernised structure of the National Health Service in the North West; and the forthcoming Social Services North West conference which will address both issues.  For the first time a government Minister would be a key speaker at a Social Services North West Conference, and he hoped that the event would be well supported.  With the emergence of the new Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts there was to be a whole pattern of NHS organisation in the North West.  It would be useful to identify which councillors were on PCTs across the North West.

Councillor Candler welcomed the report and wondered what the significance was of having a Director of Health and Social Care for the North of England who had no social care background.

Councillor Morris asked that SSNW write out to member authorities concerning PCT membership and collate the responses, and arrange meetings with the new Strategic Authorities.  Arrangements should also be made to invite these authorities to attend the conference on 26 April 2002.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the report be noted.

2.         That a response be made to the Department of Health concerning the paper entitled             Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny.

3.         That member authorities support the conference on 26 April 2002 and encourage their health counterparts to attend.

4.         That arrangements be made as soon as possible for a meeting with the Chairs and Chief Executives of the three new Strategic Health Authorities, and that they also be invited to the 26 April conference.

SSNW 01/28 LEARNING DISABILITIES

The Co-ordinator reported on proposed areas of  further involvement by Social Services North West in regional work on issues related to people with a learning disability

RESOLVED:

That further work be undertaken on the proposed web site and conference.

SSNW 01/29            ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There were no items under this heading.  Cllr Morris thanked Salford for their hospitality and declared the meeting closed.

SSNW 01/30            DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting for Social Services North West will be held on Friday, 21 June 2002 at Bury.

SSNW/PH/PV/ET

19 March 2002