Members of the Committee are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests, in connection with any items on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members are reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they are subject to a party whip in connection with any item(s) to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Members were asked to consider whether they had personal or prejudicial interests in connection with the item on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state what they were.

Members were reminded that they should also declare, pursuant to paragraph 18 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, whether they were subject to a party whip in connection with the item to be considered and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of the whipping arrangement.

Councillor Roberts declared a personal interest by virtue of her being by virtue of her appointment on the Management Committees of Arch Initiatives and Wirral Council for Voluntary Service.

Councillor Hornby declared a personal interest by virtue of him being a Trustee/Director of Voluntary and Community Action Wirral.

Councillor McLaughlin declared a personal interest by virtue of her being a Carers Champion.

Councillor Brighouse declared a personal interest by virtue of his appointment on the Management Committee of Wirral Citizen Advice Bureau.

The following documents are attached for Members’ consideration:

• ‘What Really Matters Questionnaire’
• Summary paper for Families and Wellbeing
• Options papers relevant to this Committee:

o  Assessment and Care Management

o  Support for Carers

o  Non-Residential Care Charges

o  Assistive Technology

o  Community Meals

o  Day Services

o  Help and Advice for Older People

o  Residential Care for Learning Disabilities

o  Review of Contracts

o  Review of Emergency Duty

o  Review of Equipment Services

o  Short Breaks (Respite)

o  Targeted Support

o  Voluntary Sector Contract Review

The Committee received a presentation from Kevin McCallum, Marketing and Engagement Manager, Chief Executive’s Department, on the process of the consultation and the progress made on Stage 2 of the consultation to date. Kevin McCallum reported that over 70 budget options had now been published and the savings identified were 25 per cent more than what was needed, giving Members and the public a real choice as to where they should be made. She also went on to outline the role of Overview and Scrutiny members in the process.

At the suggestion of the Chair the Committee then considered the 14 budget options relevant to its own remit in turn.

1.  Assessment and Care Management

Graham Hodkinson, Director of Adult Social Services, introduced this option. Responding to comments from Members he stated that the Department needed to be reorganised, remove specialisms and develop professional activities; Staff were working on a significant amount of projects which were not easy to deliver. Mr Hodkinson indicated that Social Workers were working closely with colleagues in the NHS. 

In relation to joint working with Health, Dr Abi Mantgani, Accountable Officer Designate, NHS Wirral CCG indicated that he welcomed the idea of Social Workers being practice centred, working closer geographically, this was something that had been raised previously. He raised concern regarding the potential delays in relation assessments which may affect the pressures on the NHS and budget; He felt further discussions and a joint approach was needed. Graham Hodkinson indicated that the Department would be looking into joint investment with NHS, with Social Workers providing adequate support to assist in getting people out of hospitals. This would require a detailed piece of work to look at how systems work. 

Mr Hodkinson indicated that with the reduction in staffing and increased demand for services, this would prove a challenge but it was essential to undertake joint working with colleagues in Health.

2.  Targeted Support

Graham Hodkinson, Director of Adult Social Services introduced this option. Responding to comments from Members he indicated that currently this was a system that was reactive but needed to be proactive to help and support people to manage their conditions and health to ensure they were being hospitalised for the right reasons.

Dr Abi Mantgani supported these initiatives which could assist in ceasing unnecessary admissions, which was why he had raised regarding any delay in assessments. He reported that a number of initiatives were being undertaken to help people manage in their own homes.

In response to Members, Mr Hodkinson indicated that in relation to assistance from the multi community and faith sectors this was an area that both the Department and Health were looking at. In term of outputs Mr Hodkinson indicated that more focused outcomes along with performance were needed, to ensure people leaving the care system did so with less needs.

In response to Members, in relation to Dementia care, Dr Mantgani indicated that carers needed a lot of support and they were currently looking at this along  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.