Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Social Services & Director of Finance) To update Members on the financial planning process and to consider the pre business plan reviews for the following business units: Adult Services, Older People’s Services

The Executive Member for Health & Social Services introduced the report, highlighting the pressures on the budget caused by rising numbers of older people, people with dementia and people with complex disabilities, plus increased life expectancy of people with disabilities and rising expectations for individualised packages of care. These pressures have led to a projected £0.6m overspend on the Social Services budget for 2005/06.

The Committee raised the issue of the cut in the supported capital expenditure grant, which was being used to fund the adaptations programme. It was commented that this cut would have a detrimental effect on the programme, but that the Council were moving funding of the adaptations programme to base funds, which would allow a stronger response to the challenge. The concern of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee regarding the cut in the supported capital expenditure grant was noted.

The issue of the refurbishment of Grange Home Care and Day Care premises was raised, and it was commented that although there had been no planned maintenance programme in relation to the building, day-to-day repairs had been made. It was agreed that the costs of these repairs would be detailed to Members. The issue of the proposed re-design of the Winkfield Resource Centre was discussed, and it was commented that the figure quoted was an estimate and that the proposed feasibility study would return a more accurate figure. It was agreed that a more realistic estimate of the costs would be provided to the Committee before 12 December.

The proposed review of charging policy in Older People’s Services was discussed, and it was commented that residential care charges would be made fairer and there would be no more than the first six weeks free for certain people. The Committee requested more details on the proposed savings figure, and it was agreed that the findings of the review would be presented before the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee approved the financial planning position set out in the report and the pre-business plan reviews covering Adult Services and Older People’s Services. The Committee raised concerns over the estimated cost of the re-design of the Winkfield Resource Centre, and the cost of day-to-day repairs to the Grange Home care and Day Care premises, and it was agreed that a more detailed briefing on these issues would be made available to Members before 12 December 2005. It was also agreed that the Committee would be consulted over the findings of the review of the charging policy when this is completed.