Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Steve Forster.  Councillor Neville Penman, as the conservative standing deputy, was in attendance in his place. 

Apologies were also received from Councillor Jane Frankum and co-opted member Councillor Tina Campbell.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

No declarations were made.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee (HASC) held on 17 January  2018 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

The Committee received one deputation from John McGinty, a carer, who spoke in opposition to the recommendations set out in Item 6, ‘Outcome of the consultation on the future of Bulmer House Day Service in Petersfield and Masters House Day Service in Petersfield‘.  The Chairman lifted Standing Orders to allow the deputation following a late request.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman made one announcement:

Care Quality Commission (CQC) Local System Review 

The Chairman noted the upcoming CQC Local System Review, which was an in-depth review of health and social care services across Hampshire available to the older population.  The main visit would take place between 12 and 16 March, before which time a number of preparatory actions had taken place, including a two-day informal visit which took place on 20 and 21 February.  As part of this visit, the Chairman, Cllr Warwick and Cllr Harrison were invited to take part in a small member focus group.  The outcomes of the review would be published in the summer, which the HASC will receive and consider in the usual way.

Cllr Warwick commented on the positive focus of the group meeting.

To consider the outcomes of the consultation on the future of Bulmer House Day Services in Petersfield, and Masters House Day Service in Romsey, prior to the decision of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health on 13 March.

The Director of Adults’ Health and Care spoke to the report and presentation, which set out the outcomes of the consultation on the future of Bulmer House Day Services in Petersfield and Masters House Day Services in Romsey (see Item 6 in the Minute Book).

The Director provided an overview of the two separate day services, noting their utilisation both prior to, and following the conclusion of, the consultation.  The two services under consideration were traditional in their nature, and overall interest in this type of service had declined across the County, with service users choosing more personalised options that meet their needs at the times that suited them and their carers.  Day opportunities should also enable independence and choice, and there were a range of alternatives in the vicinity of the two locations which would better meet the needs of service users, and meet these aims.

Currently 19 service users attend the locations in Petersfield and Romsey.  A total of 12 staff would be affected by any decision the Executive Member may take.  The cost of providing services, especially those that are underutilised, was significant, owing to the fixed cost of the building, staff and resources.  The Department had a role to play in ensuring that day services are sustainable in future, and to ensure this felt that blending different forms of support from a range of public sector, voluntary and community providers was most appropriate.  It was expected that after re-provision approximately £177k would be saved annually.   This had been calculated on the basis of service users’ needs being supported at an equivalent or higher level than they were currently.

The consultation had been robust, taking place over a period of eight weeks and closing in early January 2018.  Both online and paper-based physical surveys were made available to service users, their families and carers, as well as to the general public.  The Department had supported consultation events in Romsey and Petersfield, where officers were available to talk through the proposals and alternative options, and listen to feedback.  The Department had ensured that there was designated 1-2-1 social work resource available to help identify alternatives for service users and their carers, and this would be available throughout the implementation period if the recommendations were agreed.  In tandem, the Department had held a staff consultation for the 12 individuals affected.

The outcome of the consultation showed clear opposition to the proposed closures, with 53 out of the 65 responses answering in this way.  A number of issues had been raised through the consultation which the Director had taken close account of, and his primary concern remained assuring service users and their carers that their ongoing needs would be met, but in an alternative way.  The equalities impact of the proposed closures had also been measured, and this was detailed in the main report.

All staff employed within the two day services had been offered redeployment.  Some had expressed a wish to take the opportunity to retire or leave Hampshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To consider and approve the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee Work Programme.

The Director of Transformation and Governance presented the Committee’s work programme (see Item 7 in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee’s work programme be approved, subject to any amendments agreed at this meeting.