To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received by Cllr Hollingsworth, Cllr Mills attended as a substitute.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To approve the part I minutes of the meeting held on 19^th November 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19^th November 2015 were approved as a true and correct record.

To consider the CCG report.

Ricky Chana, Project Manager Slough CCG, attended the meeting to inform the Panel of proposed plans to reconfigure the way acute stroke services are delivered in East Berkshire and particularly in Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough.

The proposed plans were to reconfigure stroke services in East Berkshire to deliver a modified version of the ‘London Model’, which ensured that all suspected stroke patients were conveyed to a Hyper Acute Stroke Unit (HASU) for their care. The Thames Valley Clinical Senate had endorsed this reconfiguration in East Berkshire. 

Currently, patients who lived in Ascot or Maidenhead most likely went to Frimley Park Hospital or The Royal Berkshire Hospital. Both hospitals offered excellent stroke services and the decision on which hospital patients went to was based on a number of factors, including the speed at which patients could be transported there.

Stroke patients from Windsor and Maidenhead were likely to be treated at Wexham Park Hospital, which was not a HASU.  In order to ensure that Windsor and Maidenhead patients receive the optimal standard of care should they suffer a stroke, it was proposed that they should be treated at the nearest HASU, which for the majority is Wycombe hospital.  Frimley would continue to be used for those closer to it.

During the discussion the following points were made:

·         It was questioned if Wexham would be used once turned around however this had been discounted as they would require a certain volume of patients to maintain a NASU standard.

·         It had been noted that getting the right level of rehabilitation after leaving hospital was important.  After the standard 6 weeks rehabilitation patients would be able to access specialists services at local hospitals and in the community.

·         The Panel were reassured that the move away from Wexham would be done in a seamless way.  

·         The change was driven by quality of service and outcomes rather then budget.

·         There was no age limit on the treatment and types of drugs used.

·         They would be looking at transport options and payment for transport.

·         Capacity levels at Wycombe had been examined and the hospital had identified wards to increase its physical capacity.

·         It was not expected to be implemented until the next financial year and services will remain as they are until then.

Resolved that the Panel note the update.

To consider the CCG report.

Item withdrawn.

To comment on the latest finance update report.

Alan Abrahamson introduced the report that provided an update to members on the Council’s financial performance with services currently projecting a £192k underspend. The combined General Fund Reserves sat at over £6m which was £1m more then when the budget was set.

The Directorate was reporting a projected £52k underspend for the year. Most of this underspend came from a successful award of continuing healthcare funding for a high cost placement.   The budget position took into account the additional budget allocation by Council in December 2015.

The Panel were also informed that the Council would be reviewing its Contribution Policy.  The Care Act 2014 provided revised guidance for councils in respect of the treatment of higher rates of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and Attendance Allowance (AA).  This guidance allows councils to include these higher rate payments, which residents receive, within financial assessments for establishing how much a resident can afford to contribute towards the costs of their non-residential social care. It is proposed that amendments to the Council’s Adult Social Care financial Contribution Policy to cover both these changes is consulted upon.

Cllr Jones mentioned that some people used their allowance for help with everday things such as shopping, could this ipact their independence.  The Panel were informed that the persons assessment would look at needs and costs would be taken into account.

Resolved that the report be noted.

To comment on the report being considered by Cabinet and Council.

Alan Abrahamson gave a presentation on the proposed 2016/17 budget that included an overview of the national and local context. This included issues such as an increased demand for adult social care and a decreased grant settlement.  The Panel were informed that appendix J detailed the Medium Term Financial Plan that set

out areas such as out income and expenditure assumptions over next three years, 1000 new houses per year and Adult Social Care precept of 2% pa. The Panel were shown the recommendations and main points which were contained within

the budget report including the proposed freeze in council tax at band D rate of £906.95.

With regards to Adult Social Care issues these where shown to be:

·         Growth of £3.6m to meet demographic pressures.

·         Efficiency savings of  £1.2m.

·         Homecare charge frozen at £16/hour.

·         Challenges for 2016-17:

o   Recruiting and retaining social workers and managers.

o   Development of the “Outcome-based” Homecare service.

o   Working with the CCG to reduce non-elective admissions to hospital.

o   Planning for integration with Health Services.

o   Managing the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding process.

o   Managing the residential and nursing home market.

The Panel were informed that there would be the following areas of growth:

·         £900k for Homecare and Direct Payments.

·         £600k for Residential & Nursing Care

·         £400k for services to people with Mental Heath needs.

·         £700k for Learning Disability Services.

·         £400k to meet impact of DOLS.

·         £600k other growth.

The Pane were also provided with a list of saving proposals which totalled £1.2m.

With regards to the Capital programme Members were asked to comment on or give their support to any of the following projects:

·         Boyne Grove Personal Care Area

·         Remodelling and De-registration of Winston Court and Homeside Close

·         Supported Independent Living for LD and Challenging Behaviour

·         Learning Disability Service Accommodation for young adults in transition.

The Panel supported all projects support with specific support being given to Boyne Grove Personal Care Area and Learning Disability Service Accommodation for young adults in transition. 

Cllr M Airey asked why mental health service was showing as having increased funding but also showing proposed savings, the Panel were informed that the savings related to agency staff in key posts that were hard to recruit to.  Proposals were being put forward to make the positions more attractive to permanent employment rather then relying on agency staff. 

Cllr Jones mentioned that the report contained many references to the Council Tax being ‘frozen’ when in fact it was increasing by 2%; she was in support of the increased spend but it needed to be clear Council Tax was increasing.

Councillor Jones also mentioned that there had been historic issues over the recruitment and retention of social workers and if we could expect an improvement.  The Panel were informed that a business case was being produced at improving social workers pay and conditions and this should help increase retention. 

Resolved Unanimously: that the Panel note the report and Cllr Jones raised that although there was a 0% increase in Council Tax because  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To comment on the Cabinet report.

Item Withdrawn.

To note the work programme.

The Panel noted the work programme.

To consider passing the following resolution:-

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public

be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst discussion takes place

on the remaining items on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of

exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 4 of part I of Schedule

12A of the Act"

RESOLVED: That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act

1972, the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting whilst

discussion takes place on items 5-8 on the grounds that they involve the

likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of part I of Schedule 12A of the Act

To approve the Part II minutes of the meeting held on 19^th November 2015.