Agenda and minutes

None.

Councillor Kidd declared that she was employed by an organisation financed by the Mayor’s Fight Back Covid-19 Fund.  There was nothing directly associated with this on the agenda but bearing in mind the current covid-19 pandemic response Council grants could be raised as part of discussion.

The minutes of the meetings held on 6^th and 21^st February, 2020 were agreed as a correct record.

[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].

There were no public statements made.

The Director of Corporate Resources provided an overview reminding Members that the Authority had responded to the Borough’s flooding emergency over the winter months whilst continuing to meet objectives, resulting in a favourable outturn position with a £1.3m financial underspend and strong performance.

With regard to reducing the Local Authority’s reliance on residential care, this continued by supporting more people to continue living in their own homes through the use of Direct Payments and providing appropriate support to people discharged from hospital.

It was highlighted that:

·      Environment issues - the Council was on target to meet planned maintenance;

·         Supporting vulnerable people - targets had improved in relation to Council Tax support, housing support and benefit claims;

·         Mayoral priority on local spend - 70% had been used locally;

·         Agency spend – the Local Authority’s reliance on this aspect had reduced;  and

·         Sickness absence – this had weakened slightly but would continue to be addressed.

The Committee noted that despite the challenges faced, in particular 3 periods of flooding during the winter months, Quarter 4 performance resulted in a positive position. 

Continuing from the introduction, Councillors explored the following areas in more detail.

CONNECTED COUNCIL

Sickness absence - Following a pulse survey, it was noted that staff had responded well to the current way of working, offering more flexibly and managing their work-life balance, with sickness reducing but, the position would continue to be monitored. 

The performance target set for 2020/21 took into account a more virtual way of working and the investment made in technology.  In response to concerns, it was explained that based on the sickness figures from the first three months of this financial year, it was hopeful that the 2020/21 target could be achieved.

Specifically in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic, Members were of the opinion that the virus was circulating in the UK in November, 2019 and stressed that people had been suffering with a continuous cough during December.  It was noted that sickness data would be assessed to ascertain whether there had been an unusually high number of people suffering with a continuous cough, however, it was explained that there was the expectation for respiratory viruses to be higher at that time of year.  It was also noted that in November/December 2019 following the Local Authority’s response to the flooding emergency and the hard work undertaken resulted in a number of staff being exhausted, having an impact on their well-being.

Housing Benefit Claims – It was explained that there was no intention to reduce resources in this Service area following the restructure last year.  The team was aiming to improve service with more people being able to access assistance online.

Health and Safety risk – Members were informed that as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was a statutory requirement for each service to undertake a risk assessment prior to “stepping up” service delivery.  For example, safe distancing.

Finance Quarter 4 outturn – In response to a question relating to the final  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Chair of the Committee welcomed the Chief Executive of St Leger Homes of Doncaster to the meeting and commended the organisation for the hard work undertaken when collect rents during the covid-19 period.

In response to questions raised the following areas were discussed:

Performance Improvement – It was explained that where performance had improved it was a result of a key improvement plan for individual service areas linked to the correct level of resources being provided. 

A number of areas had received a specific focus in the last couple of years, including voids, rent arrears and reduction in the use of bed and breakfast accommodation with performance being regularly monitored.

Bed and Breakfast accommodation – It was recognised that the use of this type of accommodation had increased significantly to ensure all rough sleepers had been provided a safe place to live during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The Committee was informed that advice provided by the Government Minister on when the Local Authority should return to providing a statutory service, was that this decision was to be taken at a local level.

Void properties - The Committee noted that with the exception of supporting people who had suffered with homelessness and domestic violence, letting properties ceased between 24^th March and 8^th June.  Following this date working practices changed to ensure staff were working in safe environments, for example, only one or two staff could work in a property at the same time, therefore taking longer for properties to be completed for occupancy.

Rent Arrears – Following the Mayoral announcement relating to a rent holiday for people who were not able to make payments, it was noted that a number of tenants had cancelled their direct debits.  In response, everyone who had cancelled their payments were contacted with the offer of assistance and guidance.  It was made clear to tenants that if their circumstances had not changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic then the rent holiday would not apply.  All tenancies were assessed and, if it was felt people were at risk, then a tenancy sustainment officer would be appointed to provide support.  The position was continually being monitored.

It was stressed that Doncaster was performing well in this area due to the proactive work being undertaken by the organisation.

Gas maintenance on Local Authority properties – The Committee was informed that gas servicing had been reinstated.  It was noted that there had been 120 refusals service refusals from tenants but it was recognised that some tenants were shielding. 

In response to concerns expressed, it was acknowledged that older people could become confused if different support services were wearing different PPE, for example, a community nurse would wear more PPE than a gas engineer.  It was explained that St Leger Homes had undertaken, in line with public health requirements, full risk assessments for staff who visit and enter tenants’ homes and had been issued with the appropriate PPE and guidance for the task they were undertaking.

RESOLVED that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Committee gave consideration to the report by addressing the following issues:

Early Intervention – Members recognised that partnership working had shown its strength during the Covid-19 pandemic.  The Early Help  Strategy Group had met very quickly, changing its Terms of Reference and Manual to assist partners engage in early help activity during the Covid-19 pandemic period. 

It was noted, within the quarterly performance reporting period, the majority of early help case work had been undertaken by schools or early help staff.  However in Quarter 1 provision, the change in response had been implemented very quickly.  It was stressed that even though schools had closed they continued with their lead practitioner roles, with Health colleagues undertaking different roles to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, therefore some progress had unfortunately been delayed.

Members were informed that the pandemic period had provided partners with the opportunity to address the local offer, strengthening and increasing partner engagement in response to early help.  It was also noted that the pilot sites had evidenced and identified that families were being supported in their local area rather than requiring a referral into social care.

The Committee was reminded that in February, the Doncaster “With Me in Mind” campaign had been launched addressing how mental health care was provided in schools and local communities.  This provision has continued throughout the pandemic period. 

Referrals – It was reported that these had reduced compared to the previous year.

During the covid-19 pandemic referral comparisons to the previous year had been undertaken but Members noted, as services have been reinstated, more children were attending school enabling them to have contact with more professionals, resulting in an increase in referrals.  There was an unexpected and worrying drop in referrals during the Covid-19 pandemic period, particularly, for example when domestic abuse cases had increased.  It was highlighted that staff continued to work within the community, within Government guidelines, ensuring they could meet with children where it was safe to do so.

Care Leavers – Local Authority’s had a responsibility to ensure young people received support services up to their 25^th birthday.  It was stressed that if a young person did not request regular contact the Children’s Trust would continue to communicate with them, but on a less regular basis.  It was noted that some care leavers also chose not to engage with the service but staff would use every support mechanism available to ensure they were safe.

It was reported that there had been increased contact with care leavers during the Covid-19 pandemic to offer assistance with a number of issues but in particular, food provision. 

Pathway Plans – It was confirmed that there were 7 plans that had not been completed however, it was noted that generally this was a processing error, for example, once work was completed, systems had not been updated with manager approval.  The computerised system ensures each child or young person is regularly checked and required processes followed.

Tickhill Square – Members were reminded that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Chair highlighted that the Overview and Scrutiny work plans required developing for the 2020/21 period.  She explained that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they may have a different focus to issues identified earlier in the year.

The Committee was informed that Panels would be holding work planning meetings in July and August, and the areas agreed for consideration must add value to the Local Authorities aims.  The Chairs of the Community and Environment and Children and Young People Scrutiny Panels outlined that they had identified a number of issues to be included within the Panel’s work plan.

The first formal Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting would be held on Thursday 6^th August, when the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel would be addressing Mental Health issues during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Governance Manager updated Members on the position relating to not holding meetings in the Civic Office at this time but to continue  using the Microsoft Teams virtual meetings function.

RESOLVED: that the current position relating to developing the Scrutiny work plan, be noted