Agenda and draft minutes

None

As a Member of the St Leger Homes of Doncaster Board, Councillor R A Jones declared an interest in agenda item 8, St Leger Homes of Doncaster Performance and Delivery Update Quarter 2.

RESOLVED:  that the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th September, and 5^th October, 2017 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

[A period not exceeding 20 minutes for statements from up

to 5 members of the public on matters within the

Committee’s remit, proposing action(s) which may be

considered or contribute towards the future development of

the Committee’s work programme.]

Doug Wright, Doncaster resident and representing “Keep Our NHS Public Doncaster and Bassetlaw Public”, explained that he had attended a recent meeting relating to the Accountable Care System and wished to ask the Committee if it would consider addressing the whole process as there were new issues happening every day.

He stated that the Memorandum of Understanding had been presented to Council and Cabinet but this was wrong because it had not been considered by other meetings.  He explained that he was concerned that nobody within the Council seemed to have a grip on what is happening between the Council and region.

Mr Wright continued to explain that in his opinion there were no public meetings or minutes to show open and accountable decision making with regard to the Accountable Care System and the Strategic Transformation Plan.

With regard to the Joint Committee addressing Clinical Commissioning Groups substantial variations, he stated that the meetings should meet bi-monthly in public buildings but it had not met since July.  He stressed there should have been a meeting in Matlock on 11^th December, but it did not meet.

To conclude, Mr Wright made reference to the Better Care Fund and “throwing out money”, he did not know what was happening and did not think the Committee was doing anything to address it.

          In response to the statement made by Mr Wright, the Chair of OSMC and Health and Adult Social Care (HASC) jointly explained that the HASC Scrutiny Panel addressed in detail the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Accountable Care System Memorandum of Understanding and Sustainability and Transformation Programme at its last meeting.  It was noted that Members were mindful that they had only scratched the surface but to date satisfied with what had been addressed.  The Chair of OSMC explained that because the topic was so large, Mr Wright’s statement, which raised salient points, would be taken into account particularly during the HASC future work planning. 

          It was stressed that there were many different lines of work being undertaken locally, that were not to be confused, particularly with regard to the Strategic Transformation Plan, Accountable Care System (to be called Accountable Care Partnership) and that the Memorandum of Understanding was about partners working closer together.

The Committee gave consideration to the recently published Mayors draft budget proposals 2018/19 to 2020/21.  It was noted that this was the start of consultation prior to the details being considered by Council on 21^st December.

The following areas were addressed:

Local Government Pay Officer – There was a potential additional cost based on recent pay offer, which was subject to consultation.  It was noted that the increase to the pay bill would be over £6.2m but it was noted that the additional cost would be manageable from a mixture of New Homes Bonus additional funding and other funding.  It was noted that the 2% pay increase over the next two years was currently out to consultation with unions.

Pension Position – It was noted that following a long running deficit and repayment schedule the position with South Yorkshire Pensions was now in a surplus position with protections in place to ensure no further deficit. 

          Brexit Impact Assessment – Members expressed concern and enquired as to what impact assessments were being undertaken, particularly relating to issues including the possible loss of care staff tha were currently employed from throughout Europe.  The Committee noted that the Strategic Policy Unit was tracking the position but until there were more concrete proposals it was difficult to plan.  It was stressed that the current position with regard to Brexit negotiations could deter businesses from taking opportunities, again due to uncertainty.

          Scrutiny priorities for further consideration – Members requested that they wished to be made aware of, from the finance and performance information, any clawback risks.  In addition, Members also stated there were three areas of concern, within the budget that they believed required further consideration by the Committee on 18^th January, 2018 as follows:-

i.                 Children’s Trust – wished to address it’s budget proposals and action plan;

ii.                Adult Social Care – It was noted that specifically, Commissioning required addressing.  However, it was noted that it was hard to remove resources from the wrong areas and transfer it into the right areas without a more effective mechanism being established.  For example, a care facility could not be closed if people were still coming through the front door and not remaining in their own homes.  It was stressed that his issues required careful monitoring.

iii.              Regeneration and Environment – general overspend.

The Committee recognised the resources available to local government were now at the thin edge of the wedge meaning delivery of services was much more difficult.

Grants to 3^rd Sector Organisations – It was confirmed that the details showed grants for 2018/19.  Members expressed concern that the grants did not detail how they were spent and wished to see conditions set for outcomes from these organisations.  It was explained to the Committee that contracted services were not individually identified and listed in the budget papers.

Additional Resources – Members recognised that resources were tight and that the Council could not continue to do everything it already undertakes and realised that as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The Committee was presented with the finance and performance report, set out in a new format and providing an overview of progress in delivery of Doncaster Growing Together.

Members noted there were a couple of indicators that were showing green on the performance, when they were just slightly below the target and it was confirmed that this would be addressed. It was stressed that there was a tolerance level when measuring targets, which could automatically push, what looks like an amber percentage into the green position.

It was acknowleded that the general overspend was a concern but it had been taken into account as part of budget proposals.  Performance had improved and many targets were being met and it was noted that a number of targets were still being worked on and would be in place by quarter 3.

Brexit implications – In response to queries relating to inflation it was noted that the local authorities did not have an allowance for inflation and recognised that there had been a depreciation in pay compared to inflation.  Members discussed the issue generally with regard to Policy impact but acknowledged nationally that to date focus was mainly on the exit rather than consequences, the latter of which risks needed to be identified.  It was stressed that once there was more detail then the local authority would have more control over circumstances.

Local Spend - Member were pleased to see local spend at a good point and acknowledged that some spend had to be with national companies depending on the service or product.  With regard to the voluntary sector it was noted that services were also sourced locally.  It was stressed that in some areas there was a lack of clarity what local spend was, as it was measured by where the bill is addressed to, meaning it could be a local company but the billing office could be elsewhere in the country.

Ensuring budget targets were being met – Members sought assurances that budget targets would be challenged and if there were any large overspends and that it would be brought to the Committee’s attention.  With regards to overspends the example of children who were in an out of care was highlighted as this could have a weekly influence on budget performance.  The Committee noted that the Children’s Trust had already been programmed in the work plan to address it’s financial plan.  It was also noted that there were small variances with the Regeneration and Environment budget, for example, Academies removing school meal contracts from local authority provision.

It was explained that not every heading in the budget was challenged but there was rigorous work undertaken in many areas through Directorate Leadership Teams and with regard to the Children’s Trust, like all contracts they were monitored and if overspent challenged.

          Children’s Trust - The Committee acknowledged that the Children’s Trust would be attending the meeting in January to address it’s financial plan.  It was noted that the Authority had some influence on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Universal Credit – the Committee noted the good performance with regard to the small number of rent arrears following the support provided by St Leger Homes of Doncaster to its tenants however, it was unsure as to what pressure the Christmas period would create.  This was an issue that the Regeneration and Housing Scrutiny Panel would be considering on 15^th March, 2018.

          Households in temporary accommodation – concern was expressed that this was much higher than the target and higher than the same point last year.  It was noted that there had been a continued increase in homelessness and rough sleeping across the borough which has had a significant impact on the numbers in temporary accommodation.  The pressures were responded to and the increased level of homelessness and rough sleeping has led to a review reconsideration of the use of temporary accommodation and the commissioning of these services.

Local spend/procurement – Members were made aware of a session that had been held for local businesses to look at what services they could provide for St Leger Homes of Doncaster.  However, it was acknowledged that some procurement had to be undertaken at a regional and national level.  Members were made aware of an initiative undertaken by Preston entitled “Keeping the Preston pound in Preston”.  The Local Authority held a “meet the buyer” session where services were procured differently whilst meeting EU guidelines.

Duration of Meeting

At this point of the meeting, it was proposed and seconded that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 33.1, the Committee, having sat continuously for 3 hours, continue to consider the items of business on the agenda.

Other issues briefly addressed included:

·       Voids – the Committee noted that a project review had been undertaken on how voids were processed and addressed.  The improvement was acknowledged. 

·       Complaints;  and

·       Qualified surveyors to undertake commercial valuations.

RESOLVED that the discussion be noted.

It was reported to the Committee that Councillor Mark Houlbrook had been selected to replace Councillor Dave Shaw as a Labour Group representative on the Community and Environment Scrutiny Panel.

          RESOLVED that the replacement of Councillor Dave Shaw by Councillor Mark Houlbrook as a Labour Group representative on the Community and Environment Scrutiny Panel, be approved.

The Senior Governance Officer introduced the Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan for 2017/18 for the period up to November 2017.  The following issues were addressed:

Commissioning Working Together – A meeting had been set for 10^th December, but had to be rescheduled due to heavy snowfall.  The meeting was due to be held on 29^th January, 2018. 

          Letter from the Mayor relating to Finance and Performance Improvement – with regard to the Support for our Armed Forces Community, the Chair of Regeneration and Housing Scrutiny Panel requested that a further letter be forwarded to the Mayor requesting that the regular update provided by the Veterans Board to the Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Board be made available to the Committee, as the Committee was very keen to review the performance of this vital work.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The work plan, be noted;  and

2.     A letter to the Mayor relating to support for our Armed Forces Community, as detailed in the minute above, be agreed.