Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the open meeting held on 15 October 2019 be confirmed as a correct record.

None received.

RESOLVED that the report noted.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Summary of decisions that took place at open session.

The Chair of the Panel, Councillor Bill Brown, announced that he had received requests that for the Panel to consider two key decisions taken by the Mayor and Cabinet on 30 October 2019, namely:

·                     The re-commissioning of building-based day services for older adults; and

·                     The 2020/21 Revenue Budget Cuts.  

The Chair invited presentations on the matters, highlighting that the decisions for consideration would be implemented on 13 November 2019, unless called-in by Members of the Panel.

1.            Re-commissioning of Building-Based Day Services for Older Adults

The Director of Adult Joint Commissioning, and the Public Health Commissioning Manager gave an oral report to the Panel about re-commissioning of building-based day services for older adults. 

The Panel noted feedback on consultation undertaken about proposed changes to commissioned day services, together with the decision by the Mayor and Cabinet whereby it a proposal for the future re-commissioning of older adult day services was agreed.  The Chair highlighted the implication of the decision, advising that older adults’ day service provision in Lewisham currently operating at Cedar Court, Cinnamon Court and the Calabash Centre would be provided as a single service offer.

In response to questions raised by Councillor Sakina Sheikh, Vice Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Officers confirmed to the Panel that the consultation period was longer than usual following a request by Members of Healthier Communities Select Committee to extend the timetable.  It was stated that the consultation exercise included notification on the Council’s website, with a link to a survey questionnaire, and a hyper-link to key stakeholders’ portals, with a request that they forward the posting onto their networks and contacts.

Continuing with their response to questions by Councillor Sheikh, the Officers confirmed to the Panel that letters were sent to services users directly affected by the proposals, and their families, with an invitation that they discuss concerns they might have with Council officials.  It was stated that an independent advocacy service was also organised to further support the consultation exercise.

In relation to an enquiry about procured arrangements by Councillor Sheikh, the Officers advised the Panel that it was normal to review the effectiveness of service provision as the end of a contract agreement.  This, as part of the review of adults’ day centres, equality, environmental and budget implications were considered, including the impact on service users and their families.  It was stated that during the exercise, data from contract monitoring highlighted that users’ footfall across the centres were declining, hence the proposal to combine the three centres to ensure efficient use of resources, with a view secure a significant amount of savings for reinvestment into the service.

Commenting on the Officers’ responses, Councillor Sheikh acknowledged the need for budget savings and reinvestment.  Councillor Sheikh was however of a view that because the two community-led social groups currently operating out of the Calabash Centre comprised of African-Caribbean and Asian elders, equality should have been at the heart of the decision.  In particular, the Council was supportive of environments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 255.

The Scrutiny Manager gave an oral update report in relation to the Overview and Select Committees work for 2019-2020.

The Panel noted that work was underway to analyse comments received alongside other evidence gathered as part of the Member-consultation by the executive on scrutiny review.  It was stated that a proposal would shortly be submitted for consideration on the issue.

Also noted by the Panel was information that the Select Committee Work Programmes were progressing well, and that Chairs of Committees could provide their own oral updates in relation to their respective Committee’s work.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Summary of the discussion that took place at the closed meeting.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

RESOLVED: That the reports be noted.