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Minutes
of the Meeting of Social Services North West Held
on 12 December 2003 At
David Lloyd Leisure Centre, Kirby, Knowsley Present Members
Cllr K Keith (Chair)
Knowsley Cllr J Middleton
(Deputy Chair)
Tameside Cllr M Murray
Bolton Cllr F Gorton
Blackburn with Darwen Cllr C Cheetham
Lancashire Cllr D Easton
Lancashire Cllr J Hornby
Rochdale Cllr J Lloyd
Trafford Officers B McConnell
Sefton A Higgins
Trafford D Kerambrum
Blackburn with Darwen A Kilpatrick
Bolton J Coulter
Knowsley I Davey
Rochdale E Rafferty
Co-ordinator, SSNW P J Viggers
Professional Assistant, SSNW J Kay
Administrator, SSNW Apologies for
absence were submitted on behalf of: Members: Cllr Kelly (Wigan),
Cllr Quayle (Trafford), Cllr Holtom (Lancashire), Cllr P M Parry (Sefton),
Cllr A Parker (Cumbria), Cllr Tyrell (Halton), Cllr
McInerney (Halton), Cllr J Warmisham, (Salford), Cllr C Hudson
(Salford), Cllr P Smith (Warrington), Cllr C Froggatt (Warrington), Officers: R Jones (Lancashire),
J Blott (Wigan), V Jackson (Oldham), A Williams (Salford), C McInless (Tameside),
C Barker (Sefton),(Liverpool), D Whitehead (Warrington), S Sloss
(Blackburn with Darwen), M Cooney (Trafford), J Bradshaw (Cumbria), P
Newman (Manchester)) Welcome Councillor Keith
(Chair) welcomed members and officers to Knowsley and those present
introduced themselves. SSNW 03/22
Presentation - Go Integral by Dave Doyle Dave Doyle gave a
presentation on Older Peoples Services in Knowsley. The presentation focused on providing integrated services on
a neighbourhood basis through resource centres and developing plans in
partnership with those who use the services. Copies of the presentation
materials are included with the minutes. SSNW 03/23
Minutes RESOLVED 23.1
The minutes of the meeting held on 19 September at Oldham Civic
Centre were approved as a correct record and signed by Councillor Ken
Keith in his capacity as Chair. 23.2 No matters arising SSNW 03/24
Children’s Issues The Professional
Assistant introduced the report on the latest developments in children’s
services. A letter has been
sent to Secretary of State for Education and Skills Charles Clarke, and
Minister of State for Children Margaret
Hodge, in response to the green paper but no response has yet been
received. Cllr Hornby
(Rochdale) felt that there were mixed messages from the Department of
Education and Skills (DfES) and suggested that further clarification be
sought. Ken thanked Peter
Viggers for his work on this complex matter. RESOLVED 1
That another letter would be sent to Ministers at the DfES pending
their response. SSNW 03/25
Co-ordinators Report A Meeting with the LGA The
co-ordinator gave an update. Cllr
Pat Case LGA North West Regional representative has offered to meet with
SSNW to highlight and discuss matters of mutual concern and interest.
Cllr Case is available for the next scheduled meeting date of 19
March in Liverpool, and it was agreed to confirm this offer. RESOLVED 25.1
That Cllr Pat Case be
invited to attend the next SSNW quarterly meeting on behalf of the LGA B Development Seminar It
was felt that the seminar was very useful and helpful, and that more
seminars would be welcome. The Co-ordinator suggested that Joan Humble MP
be invited to the next seminar, to discuss issues of mutual concern and
interest. Following the
format of the first seminar, it would also be valuable to invite a speaker
to lead a discussion on a topical issue. RESOLVED 25.2
That Joan Humble MP be invited to the next SSNW seminar, and that a
guest speaker also be invited. C Developing Political
Leadership in Social Care The
Co-ordinator gave an update and thanked everyone who had already responded
to the invitation or participation in the programme. It was suggested that it might be appropriate for
a member to attend a planning meeting with the Co-ordinator, IDeA and the
SSI NW and further details would be circulated. RESOLVED 25.3 That details be circulated to members asking for a volunteer to attend the planning meeting with the Co-ordinator, IDeA and SSI NW. D Role and Aims of
Social Services North West The
Co-ordinator went through the aims and objectives of SSNW.
Cllr Cheetham (Lancashire) thought it might be better to put point
iii. of the aims and objectives “Making
representations to Government…” as point i.
Cllr Lloyd (Trafford) asked that developing members political
leadership and scrutiny skills in social care be included as an extra
point. RESOLVED 25.4 That the aims and objectives of SSNW be amended as suggested by members. E Workplan The
Co-ordinator asked the meeting to consider the workplan with its current
four key areas as: children’s issues, working with the NHS, disability
issues and financial pressures. Members
were keen to retain these, though reports are not required for every
meeting. RESOLVED 25.5 That the four areas of the existing workplan be retained. F
Representation on Topss North West
Cllr C Froggatt (Warrington) had previously volunteered to be the
deputy representative on this. RESOLVED 25.6 That Cllr C Froggatt (Warrington) be the deputy SSNW representative for Topss. G
Accounts
The Co-ordinator presented the annual accounts, which reflect a
healthy surplus. RESOLVED 25.7 That regarding the accounts for financial year
2002/03: ·
they are approved as
presented; ·
that
fees to be kept at the current level for the next financial year; ·
that £15,000 be transferred
to the SSNW account at the Royal Bank of Scotland, Preston; ·
that Dave McNeice of
Lancashire Social Services be thanked for his assistance with the
accounts. SSNW
03/26
Major Incident Management
The Professional Assistant introduced the report and discussed a
proposed conference to be held in the spring on the regional dimension of
major incident management. The
report also contained details of an application for funding from the
Discretionary Civil Defence Grant. David Hopewell the Regional Director
Resilience has now agreed to be involved. RESOLVED
1
That Members note the report. SSNW
03/27
Key Services/Financial Pressures
The Professional Assistant introduced the report on the latest
developments including the extra money available for safeguarding children
and the letter in response to SSNW’s own letter to John Reid.
No further action will be taken until members meet Pat Case of the
LGA and Joan Humble MP have been met. RESOLVED
That
Members note the report. SSNW 03/27 Delayed Discharges
The Professional Assistant introduced the update on the current
developments. Members agreed
that this issue will also be raised with Cllr Pat Case.
Cllr Cheetham felt that it was difficult to understand the private
sector attitude regarding fees, he said that
Lancashire is working with Blackburn with Darwen to determine what
constitutes reasonable fee levels for care homes,
so that an agreed standard can be reached. RESOLVED
1
That Members note the report SSNW
03/28
AOB
Cllr Keith thanked officers and members for their valuable
contributions and also wished Ian Davey Director at Rochdale well on his
retirement and thanked him for his contribution and presence over the
years. Click on these
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