Issue - meetings

To provide a brief background on the origin of the service based transport scrutiny review.

Members were given a brief background to the review of service based transport in adult social care.  Members heard that centralised transport provision through the Ashley Road depot was not flexible enough to meet the needs of service users at day care centres.  The development of service based transport would provide more localised control over passenger transport services as vehicles would be managed and coordinated by respective day centre managers.

Although service based transport became operational in adult social care since April 2007, it was noted that the transport service was still adapting to the needs of service users at respective day care services.  It was noted that some of the anticipated benefits of service based transport, such as more male support workers, more flexible use of staff throughout services and reduced transport times have begun to be felt within the service (though these have yet to be fully evaluated).  Similarly, it was noted that services were looking to improve operational effectiveness, such as how vehicles are used at weekends.

Members indicated that it would be helpful to view original documentation relating to the adult social care services opting out of centralised passenger services as this will be important in assessing whether it has met its intended objectives. 

Agreed: Original documentation to be circulated to Members at the next meeting.

Members were keen to understand how the review related to broader issues within community transport provision such as the operation of TaxiCard and Dial-a-Ride and the recent development of Haringey Community Transport.  It was noted that the Greater London Assembly have recently initiated a London wide review of these services which may inform local transport policy and service development.

Agreed: Members agreed that a feasibility study for a scrutiny review of borough wide community transport services in Haringey should be considered following the completion of this review and reflected in the recommendations.