Agenda item

That the Committee’s comments on the completed feasibility studies and  business planning be considered by the officers and used to inform further progress.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change (1) )  introduced a report on the Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) working taking place in Social Care and covering Day Care and Work Opportunities.  He advised that feasibility work was now complete and business planning underway. 

The Chief Officer (Social Services) gave presentation on the reasons for considering an ADM, and outlined  the benefits this would potentially provide and the preferred models under consideration.   The main points of the presentation were as follows:

·         ADM Social Services – Learning Disability Services

·         Current provision

·         Glanrafon Day Centre

·         Key risks and issues

The Chair invited Members to raise questions.

Councillor Dave Mackie thanked the Chief Officer (Social Services) for his presentation.  He referred to the information that Glanrafon building was no longer fit for purpose and did not meet service user needs and asked what action had been taken to date.  He also commented on the reference to meaningful work or activities that service uses could undertake and said that the term ‘meaningful work’ depended on the value to the service user.  Councillor Mackie sought clarification of the reference to Taith and the SHARP programme in the presentation slides.

Councillor Carol Ellis commented on the need for a new building which fully addressed the needs of vulnerable service users and people with severe disabilities.  She asked for information on the potential location of the site for the new build and an indication of how long the process would take.   

Councillor Mike Peers referred to the workshop held with Glanrafon Senior Staff concerning future service provision and said it would be helpful if the Committee were provided with feedback on the discussions held and the outcome.  In response to a further question from Councillor Peers regarding the outcomes of feasibility studies, the Chief Officer (Social Services) agreed to provide a summary of the responses to the next meeting of  Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) explained that the location of a new building would be in Flintshire and potentially on the ‘Deeside strip’.  He envisaged that the process would take at least 2 years as the aim was to establish a quality service over the medium to long term.  He explained that he had an “open mind” about the location and would listen to suggestions to help determine the most  appropriate site.  The Chief Officer said the needs of service users would be acknowledged and their views taken into account. 

In response to a question from Councillor Hilary McGuill, the Chief Officer (Social Services) stated that the Council remained the guardian of the Service going forward in terms of setting the quality and standards of service provided.  In response to the further queries made by Councillor McGuill concerning costs and ADMs, Councillor Attridge advised that no decision had yet been taken about a new building or a location.  The Chief Executive commented that it was expected that the Council would regard this matter as a priority in the capital programme and that a significant saving could be made if Council owned land could be used for the project.

Councillor Carol Ellis raised concern around the outsourcing of day care services out of County.  The Chief Officer confirmed that day care services would need to be based in Flintshire.

Councillor Ron Hampson emphasised the need to ensure that the location for the potential new building would meet the transport needs of service users.  He expressed praise for the quality of service provided by staff at Glanrafon and said he would not wish to see any reduction in the staffing level to achieve financial efficiencies. 

Responding to comments on the deteriorating condition of Glanrafon building, the Chief Officer (Social Services) and Councillor Bernie Attridge advised that funding had been provided during the last 2 years to improve the building but there was a recognition that the building was beyond refurbishment and no longer fit for purpose. 

The Chief Officer (Social Services) invited the Senior Manager Integrated Services to give a presentation on Day Opportunities Small Businesses.  The main points of the presentation were:

·         Business planning – progress update

·         Day/work opportunities – key risks and issues

·         Small business- finance summary

The Chair invited Members to raise questions.

Councillor Dave Mackie suggested that the existing small businesses providing day care and support to vulnerable adults should contact other similar organisations nationally to exchange ideas.  In response to the further comments and questions raised by Councillor Mackie concerning  development of the Double-Click Design & Print business, the Chief Officer (Social Services) explained that he would provide an update on progress to the next meeting of the Social & Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Paul Shotton asked if all the existing small businesses could be accommodated within the one location to achieve financial savings.  Councillor Hilary McGuill made a number of suggestions for combining small businesses and also commented on the potential for some commercial development of  Wepre Park in Connah’s Quay. The Senior Manager Integrated Services explained that the potential for consolidating small businesses would be explored but the diverse needs of service users would have to be taken into account and one location may not be feasible for all. 

Referring to capital restraints the Chief Executive said that representations needed to be made to the Welsh Government for funding for ADMs to optimise commercial potential.  He commented that the work undertaken by the Council on ADMs had been well received at national level and whilst the Council had demonstrated its ambition it did not have the available capital.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee’s comments on the completed feasibility studies and  business planning be considered by the officers and used to inform further progress.