Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

Agenda Items 7 and 8 – Outcome of Spring 2007 Statutory Consultations on Community Care Services – Fair Access to Care Services/Day Centre Charging

(i)                   Councillor David Ashton declared a personal interest in the above items arising from the fact that he served as a member on Harrow Mencap’s Fundraising Committee.

(ii)                 Councillor Mrs Anjana Patel declared a personal interest in the above items arising from the fact that she was a Board member on Harrow Mencap.

(iii)                Councillor Mrs Margaret Davine, who was not a Member of Cabinet, declared a personal interest in the above items arising from the fact that a family member received meals on wheels, a service provided by the Council.

Accordingly, they would remain in the room during the discussion and decision?making on the items. 

Of the Cabinet meeting held on 19 July 2007 be deferred to the next ordinary meeting of Cabinet.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2007 be deferred to the next ordinary meeting of Cabinet.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded.

The Chairman stated that Cabinet would be considering important issues that evening on the future provision of community care in Harrow.  As a result and, exceptionally, he would allow representatives of User Groups/Voluntary Sector to address the meeting for up to 5 minutes each, after consideration of agenda item 5 – Public Questions.  Similarly, he would allow the Councillor Questioner to address the meeting after consideration of agenda item 6 - Councillor Questions.  A total of 30 minutes would be allowed for representations.

RESOLVED:  That all business be considered with the press and public present.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors.

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions were received.

To receive any public questions received in accordance with paragraph 16 of the Executive Procedure Rules.

(Note:  Paragraph 16 of the Executive Procedure Rules stipulates that questions will be asked in the order notice of them was received and that there be a time limit of 15 minutes.)

RESOLVED:  To note that the following public questions had been received:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

[Notes:  (i)  An oral answer was provided to each of these questions;

(ii)  under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 16.4, questioners 1 and 3 each asked a supplementary question and were informed that they would be sent written replies;

(iii)  under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 16.4, questioners 2, 4  ...  view the full minutes text for item 286.

The Chairman invited representatives of User Groups/Voluntary Sector to address the meeting in relation to the proposals on the future provision of community care in Harrow.

The Chief Executive of Harrow Mencap addressed the meeting and voiced concerns on the proposals on behalf of service users and carers of Harrow.  He stated that Harrow Mencap had arranged three meetings with service users and carers to discuss the proposals and that their concerns had been documented and submitted to the Council.  He also sought clarity as the implementation date(s) of the proposals and the engagement with the Voluntary Sector in the monitoring process proposed.  

A speaker, on behalf of Mental Health Service users, addressed the meeting and expressed concerns.  He stated that these users would be adversely affected by the proposals with serious consequences.

The Chairman invited both speakers to submit their concerns, expressed at the meeting, to him, in writing, for a detailed response.

RESOLVED:  That the representations be received and noted.

Fifteen minutes will be allowed for Members of the Council to ask a Portfolio Holder a question on any matter in relation to which the Executive has powers or duties.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following Councillor Questions had been received:

1.

2.

[Note:  An oral answer was provided to each of these questions.  Under the provisions of Rule 17.4, the questioner asked a supplementary to each question, which was also answered].

The Chairman invited the Councillor Questioner to address the meeting.

The Councillor Questioner stated that Harrow would be the first London borough to meet only ‘critical’ assessed needs if the proposal was agreed that evening.  The London Borough of Lambeth had decided not to proceed with this change.  She urged Cabinet to reject the proposals on Fair Access to Care Services (FACS).

RESOLVED:  That the representations be received and noted.

Report of the Corporate Director (Adults and Housing).

Cabinet received the report of the Corporate Director of Adults and Housing Services, which set out the public response to the statutory consultation on the proposed changes to the eligibility criteria under Fair Access to Care Services (FACS).  It also set out options for Cabinet to consider in response to the consultation exercise.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Services set the report into context and highlighted the challenging financial position of the Council, which had led to the consultation process on altering the provision of care services for people whose needs currently fell into the ‘critical’ and ‘substantial’ criteria.  Cabinet received an outline of the various financial pressures facing the Council, including the cost pressures from Harrow and Brent Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Northwick Park Hospital.

The Portfolio Holder stated that if the Council stayed within the existing eligibility criteria, a deficit of £1.5m - £2.0m was likely on the care budget for 2007/08.

The Portfolio Holder:

·                    outlined the extensive consultation process undertaken by the Council which had lasted 13 weeks, a week longer than the statutory period, and thanked Harrow Mencap for holding three additional public meetings;  

·                    set out the options available to the Council and spoke in favour of concentrating the Council’s resources on the vulnerable people of Harrow who were most in need of care;

·                    read out the actions that would be put in place to address the concerns expressed in the consultation about increased risk, as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the officer report;

·                    stated that the Council appreciated that the proposed measures might create difficulties for some people and that the Council would do all it could to alleviate these difficulties.

The Portfolio Holder responded, in detail, to questions from Members of Cabinet on eligibility, safety, preventative work and the impact the proposed change in criteria would have on people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

In summary, the Chairman referred to the deliberation that had taken place on this matter and assured those present that areas of concern would be addressed.  He drew attention to the guidelines available when dealing with victims of abuse and the help that would be available from the Council to those with personal care needs.

RESOLVED:  (1) To proceed with the proposal to meet only needs that fell within the ‘Critical’ FACS band;

(2)  that the proposed actions to mitigate this, as set out in section 2.4 of the officer report, be agreed.

Reason for Decision:  To consider the consultation results undertaken on the criteria the Council would apply, to determine who qualified for social care services under FACS.  To set the level eligibility criteria for Harrow.

(See also Minute 282).

Report of the Corporate Director (Adults and Housing).

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Services introduced the report, which set out the public response to the statutory consultations on the proposal to start charging for attendance at Day Centres.  It also set out options for Cabinet to consider in response to the consultation exercise.

The Portfolio Holder stated that the proposal for Day Care Charges had been brought forward from the February 2006 budget to allow for consultations to be undertaken.  He reiterated the severity of the financial position of the Council and the pressures on the Council to address this position.  In addition, the demand for and complexity of the services provided by the Council was increasing, the population of Harrow was ageing, and the grants received by Harrow from the government were £30m less than its nearest neighbours and £120m less than the London average.  These pressures, together with those from the PCTs, had culminated in the proposal to charge for Day Centre care.

Cabinet was briefed on the consultation process, the key messages from that process and the options available to the Council.  The Portfolio Holder stated that, in the event that Cabinet agreed to introduce a charge, it would continue to provide a large subsidy (in excess of 50%), details of which were set out in the officer report.

Members of Cabinet were invited to question the Portfolio Holder who responded to questions on how other Councils were dealing with Day Care Charges, the levels of subsidy the Council would provide if a charge was introduced and how the ability to pay the charge would be assessed.

The Portfolio Holder proposed that a charge of £12 be introduced with a notice of one month.  If agreed, the decision would put Harrow Council below or in line with 12 other London boroughs that also charged for the service.  Harrow would continue to provide a large subsidy as well.

The Portfolio Holder stated that it was important to note that all Day Centre Users would receive a full financial assessment and any person assessed as having means to pay would receive a month’s notice.

RESOLVED:  That (1) a charge for attendance at Day Centres be introduced from September 2007;

(2)  the level of charge be set at £12 (£6 per half day);

(3)  the charges be reviewed as part of the annual review of the Council’s fees and charges.

Reason for Decision:  To consider the consultation results undertaken.  To introduce a charge for attendance at Day Centres, and set a level.  A budget saving of £200,000, for 2007/08, was contained in the budget passed at Council on 22 February 2007.

(See also Minute 282).