Agenda and minutes

Councillor Charles Gerrish sent his apologies for the meeting and was substituted by Councillor Francine Haeberling.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

There was none.

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st July 2014.

The Panel confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record and they were duly signed by the Chairman.

(Councillor Barrett asked about a report he has requested on ‘Use of Consultants and Agency Staff’. Councillor Bull asked him to raise this at item 11 ‘Panel Workplan’ and the item can be added for a future meeting).

There will be a presentation at the meeting. Copies of the slides are attached.

Tim Richens, Divisional Director Business Support gave a presentation to the Panel on ‘Financing of the Better Care Plan Fund’ (a full copy of the presentation slides is on the website and available in the minute book for the Panel). The presentation covered the following:

·  Better Care Fund (BCF) – Background

·  BCF – Budget Summary

·  BCF – Changing Requirements

·  BCF – Key Financial Changes

·  BCF – Specific Priorities

·  BCF – Further details

·  The Care Act – Background

·  Phase One – April 2015

·  Phase Two – April 2016

·  Financial Implications

·  Next Steps

The Divisional Director informed the Panel that this item is going to the Health and Wellbeing Board on 17^th September.

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Barrett asked if Curo and other social landlords are involved. The Divisional Director explained that he thought that Curo would be involved especially regarding social housing. He explained that regular providers are engaged.

Panel members discussed the target regarding reductions in emergency admissions. Councillor Haeberling explained that better care in general brings down emergency admissions. Councillor Bull stated that the onus is on the local authority to reduce the number of admissions, not hospitals.

Councillor Barrett asked if new funding was being put into to this area, the officer explained that it is not new money to the NHS, it is about how to spend existing money with a change of focus.

Councillor Haeberling stated that this Council has been integrated with the NHS for a period of time so we can be seen as a leader in integration.

Regarding the Care Act, the officer explained that this is a major piece of legislation. Regarding a question about taking on staff to implement this he stated that staff had been taken on but that there had also been some government funding. He explained that the implementation date is 1^st April 2015.

Councillor Macrae asked about having a single national standard regarding care funding. The officer explained that the second phase (April 2016) would bring in means testing. The officer further explained that assessments have been made about the proportions of retired people in the area but it did depend on who presents themselves.

There was some discussion around the worst case scenario in terms of a shortfall. The officer explained that it would be difficult to predict because it is demand led.

Councillor Macrae explained that he felt encouraged that the finance team have a good grip on the figures but questioned the Panel receiving this information pre-decision.

Councillor Bellotti explained that the information has been given at this stage so that the Panel get some ideas of the discussions the Cabinet will be having. He explained that although political groups will have their priorities, most would want to fund this.

There will be a presentation at the meeting. Copies of the slides are attached.

Tim Richens, Divisional Director Business Support gave a presentation to the Panel on ‘Council Procurement’ (a full copy of the presentation slides is on the website and available in the minute book for the Panel). The presentation covered the following:

·  Procurement Update

·  Objective

·  Support Services – Target Operating Model – Procurement

·  Traditional Cycle

·  Resourcing

·  New Intranet Site

·  Continuing Improvement

·  Principles

·  Desired Outcomes

·  Provisional ‘Think Local’ Dashboard

·  Shared Services

·  Opportunities for Sharing

The Divisional Director explained that the ‘Think Local’ strategy had been launched a year ago and that this item is an update.

Panel members asked the following questions and made the following points:

Councillor Barrett asked about the criteria set and the officer explained that there is a range of criteria including social value and locality. He explained that value for money is still the driving force. He explained that a panel assess contracts based on a set of criteria. Councillor Macrae stated that the public would expect an objective assessment and a transparent decision. The officer explained the e-procurement system and that both assessment criteria and results are published.

Councillor Barrett asked about consultants and agency staff. The officer explained that there is a standard council wide contract with Comensura for agency staff.

Councillor Barrett asked if the Council saves as much as is spent on the team. The officer pointed to other benefits such as social and environmental value and gave an example – in the contract regarding the Keynsham building project, Willmott Dixon committed to use local sub-contractors and local materials.

Councillor Bellotti stated that he had brought this strategy of ‘Think Local’ back to the Panel to report on progress. He explained that results showed a modest improvement which is a good start. He gave some examples of the benefits of ‘Think Local’ which are that local goods reduce mileage and provide local jobs which helps the local economy.

Councillor Bull stated that he supported the policy as he feels it is good for local employment and the local area.

Councillor Symonds explained that this policy had seen progress already and it is also about the Council setting a good example of valuing people and workers in the area.

This will be a verbal report. The Cabinet Member will update the panel on any relevant issues. Panel members may ask questions

Councillor Bellotti, Cabinet Member for Community Resources updated the Panel on the following:

·  Keynsham building work is coming together and staff will be moving in in approximately a month. He explained that Keynsham Town Council have been taken on a tour. He explained that the building will be energy efficient. On other Council buildings he explained that there will be 120 people in the Guildhall and that Northgate House will be vacated in 2015.

·  In terms of the budget, he explained that an overspend can occur due to very few cases in some areas. He explained borrowing has reduced down to £70million (from £120m) but would be going up £80m which is within approved borrowing limits. He stated that cash flow is important and more details are available in the appendix to the recent Cabinet papers.

·  The Colonades and Guildhall Market plans have had approval to move on.

Councillor Macrae stated his concern for female Councillors walking back to Manvers Street Car Park after late meetings and also that there would be no parking at the back of the Guildhall for disabled people. The Cabinet Member explained that parking for Councillors would be provided in Manvers Street Car Park and that there are now disability parking bays at the front of the Guildhall. Councillor Haeberling added her concern about female Councillors returning to Manvers Street. The Cabinet Member responded that something had to be worked on regarding people being accompanied after late meetings.

This report presents the latest workplan for the Panel (Appendix 1).

With the addition of the following items, the work plan was noted:

·  Use of Consultants and Agency staff - March 2015 (Note: Councillor Barrett stated that the information could be fed through to him rather than form a full report if the information could be ready sooner)

·  Report on Benefits Changes/Welfare Reform Update – March 2015

·  Procurement – update September 2015