Quarterly Meeting of
Social Services North West

21 June 2002 at Bury

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST

HELD ON 21 JUNE 2002

AT BURY TOWN HALL, BURY

PRESENT:

Members

Councillor Morris (Chair)                                                  Bolton

Councillor Keith (Deputy Chair)                                        Knowsley

Councillor Joynes                                                              Oldham

Councillor O’Neill                                                             Wigan

Councillor Gorton                                                              Blackburn

Councillor Connolly                                                           Bury

Councillor Middleton                                                         Tameside

Councillor Roderick                                                          Liverpool

Councillor McInerney                                                        Halton

Councillor Holtom                                                             Lancashire

Councillor Easton                                                              Lancashire

Councillor Hudson                                                            Salford

Councillor Froggatt                                                           Warrington

Councillor Quayle                                                             Trafford

Councillor Thompson                                                        Rochdale

Councillor Cheetham                                                         Lancashire      

Officers:

I Davey                                                                        Rochdale

A Marsland                                                                  Knowlsey

B Walker                                                                     Wigan

A Robertson                                                                 Bolton

E Murphy                                                                     Salford

D Kerambrum                                                              Blackburn

P Hewitt                                                                       SSNW

P Viggers                                                                     SSNW

E Trotter                                                                      SSNW

SSNW 02/1  Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of:

Councillors:

Councillor Parker (Cumbria), Councillor Ormerod (Lancashire), Councillor Tyrrell (Halton), Councillor Davidson (Warrington), Councillor Dally (Sefton)

Officers:

P Horan (Bury), S Lightup (St Helens), G Evans (Oldham), D Whitehead (Warrington), M Siegal (Cumbria), C Barker (Sefton)

SSNW 02/2            Appointment of Chair and Deputy Chair for the Ensuing Year

The Co-ordinator invited nominations for the position of Chair of Social Services North West for the forthcoming year.  Councillor Morris (Bolton) was proposed as Chair and in the absence of other nominations was declared elected.  Councillor Keith (Knowsley) was proposed as Deputy Chair and in the absence of other nominations was declared elected. 

SSNW 02/3            Minutes

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2002 at Salford be approved as a correct record and signed by Councillor Morris (Chair).

MATTERS ARISING

There were no items under Matters Arising.

SSNW 02/4            Membership 2002/03

The Co-ordinator reported and referred to Item 4 on the agenda papers.  He said that now that Stockport were rejoining Social Services North West,  20 out of the 22 eligible authorities in the Region were now members.  A warm welcome was extended to Stockport by Councillor Morris on behalf of the Committee

The Co-ordinator reported that the Director of Liverpool had sent a letter advising her authority’s intention to withdraw from membership of Social Services North West.  In accordance with the Constitution, they were bound by a twelve months notice period. It was noted that this news was both surprising and disappointing given Liverpool’s active and enthusiastic participation.

Councillor Roderick (Liverpool) informed the meeting of his concern and that of other Liverpool members about the letter.  The matter was now under active review at member level and that he hoped that the Chair would meet with the Lead Member for Social Services at Liverpool.

RESOLVED:

1.                  That Stockport be welcomed as a member of Social Services North West

2.                  That the Chair would seek a meeting with the Lead Member for Social Services at Liverpool to encourage Liverpool’s ongoing commitment to Social Services North West.

SSNW 02/5            Annual Report 2001/02 and Work Programme 2002/03

The Co-ordinator summarised Item 5, informing the meeting that there had been two conferences organised with a total attendance of over 200 across the two conferences. 

Referring to the successful visit to Westminster in March, it had been recorded that 20 MPs and 24 representatives of the Social Services North West had attended the meeting to lobby North West MPs about financial pressures. Both members and MPs had given positive feedback about the value of the visit.

The Social Services North West website had in the last twelve months proved to be very successful.  There had been over 5000 ‘hits’ in total, with an average of 80-100 ‘hits’ a week in the past nine months.  Press publicity had also been successful around financial issues.

Staff arrangements had remained unchanged during the year but the Co-ordinator asked that a start be made on arrangements to find his successor in the New Year.

Administration of the Topss Regional Training Forum had been a useful source of income and although SSNW staff input was still ongoing, it was due to terminate by the end of this year.  Councillor Morris asked that the Topss North West Regional Forum Chair, Vic Citarella, be invited to the next meeting to discuss Topss’ role in Social Care training.

Reference was also made to the Government’s White Paper on Regional Government.  Views were invited and Councillor Morris said that he was concerned that Social Services issues did not appear to be given a high priority.  It was proposed that SSNW should make a formal response to the White Paper urging more devolution to regional level, and work with the NWRA to increase the focus on social services issues.

On the Annual Work Programme, Councillor Joynes (Oldham) said that she was pleased that the disability theme was proposed to be widened to include all disabilities, as the situation of people with physical disabilities needed to be given greater consideration..

Problems in securing a venue for the December 2002 meeting were resolved with the assistance of Bernard Walker, Director of Social Services, Wigan. 

RESOLVED:

1.            That the Annual Report for 2001-02 be noted.

2.            That the four Work Programme Priorities for the forthcoming year be identified as:

Working with the NHS

Financial Issues

Quality Protects and Children’s Issues

Disabilities

3.         That the dates and venues for the quarterly meetings be determined as follows;

20 September 2002- Sefton

13 December 2002-Wigan

21 March 2003- Lancashire

20 June 2003- Cumbria

4.         That arrangements be made to invite the Chair of Topss North West Regional Training Forum, to make a presentation on Topss at the next meeting.

5.         That a response be made to the White Paper on Regional Government, seeking more devolution and greater prominence for health and social care issues at the regional level.

SSNW 02/6            Banking Arrangements

The Co-ordinator proposed that following the transfer of the Treasurer role from Oldham to Lancashire, the bank account at Oldham be closed and a new account  opened at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Preston.  The required form of resolution by this meeting was set out, and the Chair was asked to sign the application form in order that the bank account could be opened.

RESOLVED: 

1.         That a Treasurer’s Account be opened with the Royal Bank of Scotland plc.

2.         The terms and conditions of the Treasurer’s Account, submitted to the meeting, were approved and it was agreed that the completed application form be signed on behalf of Social Services North West and submitted to the Bank. 

3.         It was agreed that cheques, withdrawals and other instructions to the Bank must be signed by any two authorised signatories of Social Services North West, who shall in the first instance be the Co-ordinator, the Professional Assistant and the Treasurer.

4.         It was agreed that requests for the lodgement or withdrawal of securities, documents or articles held in safe custody, on behalf of the organisation be signed by any two authorised signatories of Social Services North West, who shall in the first instance be the Co-ordinator, the Professional Assistant and the Treasurer.”

SSNW 02/7            Key Service / Financial Pressures

The Professional Assistant updated members on these issues and referred to the successful Westminster visit.  The Government had acknowledged the growing pressure on social services finance influenced perhaps by concerns expressed by organisations such as SSNW and the Wanless Report.  Despite a welcome increase in social services funding, there were still serious pressures on children’s services and real concern about the impact of the Employers National Insurance increase and the proposal to introduce penalties against social services where there are delayed discharges from hospital.  Andy Robertson, Director of Bolton Social Services also emphasised concern over the pressure on children’s services finance.

Pressure on independent sector fees in care for the older people was also recognised as a substantial and growing problem.  Bernard Walker, Director of Social Services, Wigan, referred to the recent report by William Laing ‘Calculating a fair price for care: a tool kit for residential and nursing care costs’ published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The issue of costs in the independent care sector could usefully be referred to the North West Business Management Group for their consideration. Ian Davey, Director of Social Services, Rochdale agreed with the Co-ordinator that there was a need for more work regarding Health service scrutiny committees and that more resources were needed to ensure effective social services scrutiny.

Regarding the issue of Fairer Charging raised by Councillor Joynes at the previous meeting, it was reported that contact had been made with officers at the Local Government Association, who confirmed that the matter was of real concern and the Department of Health had been approached.  Discussion was ongoing and members would be kept informed.

RESOLVED:

1.         That members accept the report and the revised minutes of the meeting with MPs at Westminster on 12 March 2002.

2.         That the Government, LGA and North West MPs be pressed about our continuing concerns about financial pressures, with particular reference to children’s services, penalties for delayed discharges, independent sector care costs and the costs of implementing local authority health overview and scrutiny.

3.         That the issue of social services finances and in particular Fairer Charging be raised at our next meeting with the LGA and that MPs once again be invited to attend. 

4.         That information be collated on independent care sector fee structures across the region, to facilitate member authorities’ negotiations with the sector.

SSNW  02/8            Children's Services

The Professional Assistant referred to the agreement at the previous committee that a conference on children’s issues be held in the autumn. This will now be held at the Reebok Stadium Bolton, on Tuesday, 24 September 2002 featuring Professor Al Aynsley -Green, Head of the Children’s Task Force.  Anita Marsland, Chief Executive of Health and Social Care, Knowsley is also playing a key part in the event along with Bolton Social Services, First Key the National Leaving Care organisation and National Voice, the young people’s representative organisation.  It was intended that other relevant agencies would be involved.  The recently published ADSS paper ‘Tomorrows Children’ was also highlighted with its emphasis on the importance of a more integrated and outcome focussed approach, along with further investment for Children’s Services.

Councillor Holtom (Lancashire) asked that there be an input to the conference relating to the dangers of substance abuse amongst primary school children: this would be considered.  Anita Marsland emphasised the need to include Education, Health and Leisure services perspectives in the forthcoming conference. She also referred to the ongoing work of the region’s Assistant Directors for Children’s Services, and the various sub-groups which they are leading.  A further meeting is to be held on 17 September and she would report back to members at the next meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the report be accepted and support be given to the Conference on Tuesday 24 September 2002.

SSNW 02/9            Working with the NHS

The Co-ordinator reported on the Social Services North West conference on Modernising Health and Social Care held at the Reebok Stadium in April; the response to the Department of Health consultation on Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny; the survey of member authorities on PCT membership; and future arrangements for liaison between Social Services North West and the three Strategic Health Authorities in the region.

Members spoke positively of the April conference and particularly of the contribution made by the people from Salford.  The officers were thanked for the arrangements made.

In relation to the health Overview and Scrutiny process, there were resource implications which should be pressed with the LGA and Department of Health.  Members would need considerable support to carry out their health scrutiny role effectively.

It was agreed that we should press ahead to organise a meeting with the three Strategic Health Authorities.  A survey had been sent to authorities regarding Local Authority membership of Primary Care Trusts which indicated that a good number of councillors were involved as representatives on their local PCT boards. The Co-ordinator said that his would provide a real potential means of developing the health/social services interface.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the report be accepted by Members

2.                  That arrangements be made as soon as possible for a meeting with the Chairs and Chief Executives of the three new Strategic Health Authorities.

3.                  That Councillor Keith and the Co-ordinator continue to represent SSNW at the Regional Health Strategy Group.

SSNW 02/10            Learning Disabilities

The Co-ordinator reported that the Task Force and Social Services North West continue to work with the North West Training and Development Team. A website is being set up to give simple information on learning disability issues in the North West.  Planning is now well advanced and the site is intended to be easily accessible and user friendly.  A presentation will be made to a future meeting.

The Co-ordinator referred to the innovative process set up by the North West Regional Assembly to combat social exclusion and their setting up of a Health and Social Care Disability Task Group to progress the goals contained in the ‘Committed to Inclusion’ Report, as previously reported to committee and published in December 2000.  The Professional Assistant reported that the Task Group has met a number of times, a definition of disability agreed and an action plan/work programme is being progressed.

RESOLVED:

1.         The report was accepted  by members.

2.              Members endorsed the actions taken.

SSNW 02/11            Any Other Business

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

SSNW 02/12            Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of Social Services North West will be held on Friday, 20 September 2002 at Wigan.

PJH/PJV/ET

SSNW

28 June 2002