Agenda item

The Panel received a presentation by Kim Curry, Director of Adults, Health and Wellbeing and Patrick Birch, Improvement Director on the Transformation Programme considered at Cabinet on 29th November, 2016. Members were provided with a copy of the presentation at the meeting. Details of progress so far and the programme of work was highlighted within the presentation.

Following the presentation, Members were afforded the opportunity to make comments and ask questions. The Chair, Councillor Rachel Blake thanked officers for the presentation and stated that it was pleasing to see the improvements so far.

The following areas were discussed:-

It was asked how the Council would ensure that the Community Lead would remain fit for purpose. Members were advised that the projects would be led by local communities and each locality would be tasked with engaging with the public within that area. It was advised that Thorne was being used as a pilot for the project and a launch had taken place. Around 40 people attended the launch expressing their views and concerns regarding the area. It was advised that a good response to the scheme had been received and it was the intension to undergo intensive work with families within the Thorne area. It should also be noted that whilst the scheme would be starting within the eastern part of the borough this would eventually be rolled out to other areas of Doncaster.

It was noted that existing buildings would be used. It was envisaged that communities would coordinate the search for premises. Some suggestions were provided, such as GP surgeries, community centres etc. Members were advised that a mapping exercise had been carried out and identified possible premises for the Hubs throughout the whole of the borough.

An update was sought with regard to Direct Payments. Members were advised that significant work had been carried out with regard to direct payments with up to 565 people now using the system. It was envisaged that this would be increased to over 600 by the end of March. It was noted that whilst there was still more to be done particularly with regard to money management there had been a positive increase and the Council were in a much better position now than last year. It was also noted that staff were feeling much more confident with the system which in turn had made the process much swifter.

Discussion took place with regard to savings and investment figures highlighted within the presentation and an explanation was provided to Members on the details of what some of the services were. With regard to Housing related support, Members were notified it was envisaged that these savings could be found. However, if the savings were not achievable they will need to be identified from elsewhere, but members were assured that these were informed estimates.

Although staffing costs were covered within customer journey and other savings, Members felt that there needed to be more information and explanation for staffing costs.

Clarification was sought as to what the definition was for “meaningful conversation” and it was requested that plain language needed to be used when talking to service users to ensure that they understand what they were being told.  It was advised that it would be beneficial for a further briefing to Members on this subject. It was hoped that staff were not just undertaking a tick box exercise rather than seeing the person.

It was advised that all of the 7 projects highlighted within the presentation were independent and the process would be managed by Patrick Birch, Improvement Director, Adults, Health and Wellbeing.

Further discussion took place with regard to Telecare and the Tunstall pendent alarms, a service still offered by the Council to residents of the borough. Members were advised that there was now an opportunity for the Council to offer more products for service users which were cheaper to enable people to stay at home for longer.

Concern was raised with regard to the computer software not being compatible. It was advised that this issue had not yet been resolved. However the contract for the computer system was due for renewal and it was clear that there was a need for computer systems to talk to each other. Members were advised that Doncaster was not unique and other Authorities experienced some the same problems.

The Chair queried why Thorne had been chosen for the pilot. It was advised that the decision was made purely on greatest social care need and whilst areas of deprivation was highlighted as a high need issue to be addressed in other areas across the borough, it was stressed they would also be looked at in future.

It was asked whether there would be any funding available for groups to enable them to meet the costs of renting buildings. It was advised that within the Transformation Plan it was clearly noted that there was a need to invest. There may be opportunities available through the better care fund and existing groups applying for grant funding but further work would need to be done on this. It was also advised that further liaison with Commissioning was needed to identify where the needs were.

In addition, the Chair asked officers for their opinion on how the Council would know if this had been a success. It was reported that the Council do carry out yearly surveys and this was a question to be asked and were there areas requiring improvements.  It was also highlighted that personal stories from service users were also an excellent way of identifying any concerns or required improvements. It was also advised that if Members had any concerns then these could be emailed to any officers within the directorate.

            RESOLVED that the presentation and update on the Adults, Health           and Wellbeing Transformation Programme be noted.