Issue - meetings

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That the comments/observations of the Committee are fed back to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) presented his 2014/15 mid-year service performance report for his portfolio, covering the period April to September 2014.

On Direct Payments, the Committee was informed of details of positive work undertaken such as identifying areas of good practice and information exchanges with external groups.

In response to queries from Councillor Hilary McGuill, the Service Manager - Disability Services provided explanation on the use of the multi-room sensor pilot in Telecare and a video-based alarm facility which was due to be piloted in January 2015 using funding from the Intermediate Care Fund.  She offered to provide the Committee with further details on this at a future meeting.

Councillor Amanda Bragg sought assurance on the procedure for assessing suitability of properties, particularly for those who were unable to communicate effectively.  The Service Manager - Disability Services explained that the process was based around the needs of individuals, involving consideration of a number of factors.  She spoke of good links with housing associations on the identification and acquisition of suitable properties for rental to service users.  On Telecare services, she provided information on the initial assessment, review and monitoring of equipment.

Councillor David Mackie commented on potential problems on shared properties.  The Service Manager explained that each service user within each property was given an individual Tenancy Agreement.  If one individual chose to end their agreement, options were available for the remaining tenants to maintain theirs or for an Accommodation Panel to consider a replacement.  Although there had been no long-term tenancy problems to date, the Council had a responsibility to address voids.

In response to a question, the Service Manager said that out of approximately 120 placements, there were only around five or six voids.  She went on to say that a single occupancy property would need to be sourced for individuals in some circumstances.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That the comments/observations of the Committee are fed back to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance.