Agenda item

The Panel will have an opportunity to ask questions to the Cabinet Member and to receive an update on any current issues.

The Chairman invited Councillor Simon Allen (Cabinet Member for Wellbeing) to give an update to the Panel (attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes).

The Panel made the following points:

Councillor Clarke asked how many empty properties have been actively pursued.

Councillor Simon Allen suggested that the answer will be provided by the officer later in the meeting under agenda item ‘Housing Allocations’.

The Chairman said that much of the report had been committed to housing and his particular question was if the reduction in Bristol CC budget on homelessness would have an impact on homelessness in BANES.  The Chairman suggested that the answer should have been provided by Councillor Tim Ball (Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning), whose Cabinet responsibilities these are, but thanked Councillor Allen for providing some answers.

The Chairman asked what the outcome of the last Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection might be.  The Chairman also said that the current administration decided to reduce the budget for Care Homes by £1.6m and asked if there will be a review on this issue.

Councillor Simon Allen replied that the review on Care Homes will be produced on quarterly basis and he suggested that the outcomes should be presented to the Panel.  The most important thing is that service users receive adequate and quality service.  The CQC inspection had been completed and the Commissioning Team from the Council are in contact with the CQC on this matter.

Sarah Shatwell (Associate Director for Non-Acute and Social Care) added that Commissioning Team has bi-monthly meetings with the CQC where they exchange information and data between each other.  The embargo on placements in two care homes has been lifted in the last three weeks whilst one more care home is under embargo for a technical rather than quality issue.  Sarah Shatwell also explained that any savings associated with the commissioning budget for Care Home placements would be negotiated with providers using a regional care home cost model developed through research on 41 Care Homes across the region.  Efficiencies that the Council will have to find will be balanced against the inflation already awarded to care home providers.

Councillor Hall asked what sort of energy efficiency measures in properties will be primarily looked at.

Councillor Simon Allen replied that the Council will predominantly look at the cavity wall insulation although there is still significant amount of work to be done in this area.  Councillor Allen suggested that the Panel could have Energy Efficiency report on one of the future Panel meetings.

Councillor Brett asked about refreshed Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy and how new licensing rules will be incorporated in the strategy.

Councillor Simon Allen responded that there is on-going conversation between different departments in the Council and the Interim Joint Director of Public Health.

Councillor Jackson expressed her concern for the reduction of 10 beds in Julian House.  Councillor Jackson suggested that the Panel should check if the situation improved following the Youth Homelessness study.  Councillor Jackson also suggested that Councillor Simon Allen should provide an update on Friedman Report at one of the future meetings of the Panel.  Councillor Jackson also asked what criteria will be used for residential and nursing homes placements.

Sarah Shatwell responded that the reduction of beds in Julian House was introduced in order to improve the accommodation.  National homelessness figures have decreased over the last 10 years and this is due to a greater focus on homelessness prevention, much of which is funded via the Supporting People programme.  In terms of the youth housing need – Sarah Shatwell explained that there is an active young people’s housing group that looks into youth homelessness and its impact on housing but that she will pass on and the suggestion about Friedman Report.  Sarah Shatwell said that the Council does publish set rates for residential and nursing homes placements and that there is also a single panel process in place to consider higher cost placements and packages of care.

Councillor Simon Allen added that he will consider bringing an update on Friedman Report to one of the future Panel meetings.

The Chairman commented that BUPA made an announcement that Local Authorities under-provide for care homes.  The Chairman also said that Government’s award for homelessness in the city is welcome but the award covers a three year period only.  The Chairman commented this may exacerbate problems of homelessness at the end of this three year period when the grant/award ceases.

Councillor Simon Allen replied that in those three years Council will have enough information about the homelessness in the city and region.  The current administration put extra money in the Adult Social Care.

It was RESOLVED to note the update.