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MINUTES
OF THE MEETING OF SOCIAL SERVICES NORTH WEST HELD ON 20 JUNE 2003 AT
CASTLE GREEN HOTEL, KENDAL, CUMBRIA
Present Members Councillor Keith (Chair) Knowsley Councillor Middleton (Deputy Chair) Tameside Councillor Gorton Blackburn with Darwen Councillor Wright Blackpool Councillor Parker Cumbria Councillor Morley Halton Councillor Cheetham Lancashire Councillor Easton Lancashire Councillor Robinson Rochdale Councillor Hudson Salford Councillor Murray Bolton Councillor McInnery Halton Councillor Parry Sefton Councillor Frogatt Warrington Councillor Quayle Trafford Councillor Kelly Wigan Councillor Royle Manchester Councillor Hornby Rochdale Councillor Fletcher St Helens Officers M Siegal Cumbria R Jones Lancashire E Murphy Salford I Davey Rochdale B McConnell Sefton J Blott Wigan J Coulter Knowsley A Gannon Bolton E Rafferty Co-ordinator, SSNW P J Viggers Professional Assistant, SSNW Welcome
Councillor Parker (Cumbria ) welcomed members and officers to Cumbria. SSNW 03/1 Apologies for absence were
submitted on behalf of:
Councillors:
Councillor Cooley
(Manchester), Councillor Holtom (Lancashire), Councillor Candler
(Stockport) Councillor Quinn (Oldham) Councillor Froggatt (Warrington)
Councillor Stephenson (Wigan) Officers:
M Cooney (Trafford), D Terris (Halton), A Marsland (Knowsley), V Jackson (Liverpool), S Lightup (St Helens), J Daintith (Stockport). L.Priest (Oldham) D Whitehead (Warrington) SSNW 03/2
Appointment of Chair
The Co-ordinator Liz Rafferty invited nominations for the position of Chair of Social Services North West for the forthcoming year. Councillor Keith was
nominated for Chair and in the absence of other nominations was declared
elected. Councillor Middleton was nominated as Deputy Chair and in the
absence of other nominations was declared elected. RESOLVED 1. That the new Chair of SSNW for 2003/04 is Councillor Keith 2. That the Deputy Chair for 2003/04 is Councillor Middleton. SSNW 03/3 Presentation ‘ Cumbria Health and Social Services Integration’ Mike Siegal, Director of Social Services Cumbria gave a presentation entitled ‘Cumbria Health and Social Services Integration’. His talk focussed on factors affecting effective partnership, relevant reviews and their main conclusions. The approach, underlying principles and the outcome vision were outlined, along with the process in reducing delayed discharges. What has been achieved and learned was highlighted and the way forward indicated. Mike Siegal was thanked by the Chair for his presentation. (Copies of the presentation format are available on request from the SSNW office). SSNW 03/4
Minutes RESOLVED
Matters Arising There were no items under matters arising. SSNW 03/5
Annual Report
The Co-ordinator presented the report on the previous years activity. It was noted that Councillor Morris (Bolton) had now stepped down as Chair and both he and Councillor Keith (Deputy Chair) were thanked for their effective support during the year. RESOLVED
SSNW 03/6
Children’s Issues
The Professional
Assistant presented the report on the latest developments relating to
Children’s Services, and referred to the recent response by an official
of the DoH to the letter from Councillor Morris (Chair). The response did
not deal with clarification regarding accountability and a further letter
has been sent. Other issues
dealt with included bids for Children’s Trusts, new guidance on
safeguarding children in response to the recommendation of the Laming
report and the green Paper 2 Children at Risk” due top be published this
summer. Councillor Madeline Murray (Bolton) said that Bolton has applied
to set up a Children’s Trust for those with disabilities. She went on to
say that Bolton had a good track record regarding child protection
services. Councillor Quayle
(Trafford) said that Trafford had created an integrated children’s
service along with Education and Health. Councillor Parry (Sefton) and Ian
Davey (Director, Rochdale SSD) confirmed that their authorities had also
split the social services department and created new Children, schools and
families divisions. Councillor Cheetham (Lancashire said that
Lancashire’s position as a large authority was a little different but
they have changed to a more child centred approach and were wary of
letting education issues dominate, lead officers were looking at the
situation with a view to further changes. Councillor Royle asked why the
Government had yet to create a post of Children’s Commissioner and asked
that this again be promoted by SSNW. Richard Jones (Director Lancashire
Social Services) said that this matter might well be dealt with in the
forthcoming green paper. Councillor
Keith (Chair) said that it was important to ensure that children’s
social care issues were not sidelined in any new arrangements. RESOLVED
SSNW 03/7
Delayed Discharge
The
Professional Assistant introduced the report and said that a response had
been received to the letter sent by Councillor Morris on behalf of SSNW to
the Secretary of State for Health, regarding the administrative
arrangements for the introduction of reimbursement cost for delayed
discharges. Recent developments regarding delayed discharges were also
noted in the report. Councillor Gorton said that patients discharged from
hospital that require medical help in their own home should never have to
pay for this as it should always be funded by the NHS. RESOLVED
1. That the report be noted. SSNW 03/8
Key Service / Financial Pressures
The Professional
Assistant introduced the report which highlighted that services continue
to be under considerable financial pressure with children’s services and
Older People’s services both heading for substantial over spends in
2002/ 03. Councillor Cheetham said that it was very depressing to consider
the implications of the funding position. There is a major issue around
fees for the independent and private sector, providers costs for training
and developing higher standards are increasing, thus putting pressure on
the issue of whether to raise council taxes, the Government should address
this issue. Councillor Jean Hornby (Rochdale) said that lobbying MP’s
was vital and that the health scrutiny role was very important. Resources
were needed but had not been forthcoming. Councillor Keith said that we
should consider writing again to the Minister. RESOLVED 1. That the report be noted. 2. That a letter should be sent to the Secretary of State for Health and the Children’s Minister expressing members continued concerns over financial pressures. SSNW 03/ 9
New Directions
The Co-ordinator‘s
report emphasised the need for SSNW to follow the agenda of modernisation
and change adopted by local authorities social services departments.
The issue was opened up for debate and the following points were
made:
o the issue of Regional Government was also important; o
the business plan should be considered at the next committee
meeting.
RESOLVED 1. That a partnership be developed with IdeA to develop a training programme for Cabinet members and scrutiny leads. 2. That SSNW’s relationship with the LGA, North West MP’s and the ADSS be maintained, developed and confirmed. 3. That the structure and sequence of meetings be reviewed, and that the pattern of quarterly meetings be maintained for the next 12 months. 4. That an Executive group be established comprising of the Chair and Deputy Chair. 5. That the issue of the development of a Regional Assembly be monitored and the involvement of SSNW in this process be ensured. 6. That the next meeting of the SSNW Committee be held in Oldham on 19 September 2003, when a full business plan will be presented for discussion. 7.
That consideration be given to the further development of SSNW’s
IT facilities.
SSNW 03/10 Any
other Business
RESOLVED
1. That Cumbria is thanked for the hospitality provided. SSNW 03/11
Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of Social Services North West will be held on Friday 19 September 2003 at Oldham. ER/PJV 30th June 2003 Click on these
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