A meeting of the Housing and Social Work Committee will take place in the Council Chamber, Council Headquarters, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness on Wednesday 21 May 2008 at 10.30am.
You are invited to attend the meeting and a note of the business to be considered is attached.
Yours faithfully
Alistair B Dodds
Chief Executive
Declarations of Interest – Members are asked to consider whether they have an interest to declare in relation to any item on the agenda for this meeting. Any Member making a declaration of interest should indicate whether it is a financial or non-financial interest and include some information on the nature of the interest. Advice may be sought from Officers prior to the meeting taking place.
1. Apologies for Absence
2. Capital Reports
i. Housing Revenue Account: Capital Programme Monitoring 2007/08
There is circulated Report No hsw-47-08 dated 12 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which presents the draft final outturn position regarding expenditure on the HRA Capital Programme 2007/08 to 31 March 2008.
The Committee is asked to note the:-
a) position regarding near final outturn expenditure on the HRA Capital
Programme for 2007/08 and;
b) final outturn programme for 2007/08 will be reported to the next meeting
of the Committee on 4 August 2008.
ii. Non Housing Revenue Account: Near Final Outturns 2007/08 and
Capital Programme 2008/09
There is circulated Report No hsw-48-08 dated 13 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which provides information in relation to programme outturns from 2007/08, confirms the award of Private Sector Housing Grant (PSHG) for 2008/09 and proposes amendments to the programme for 2008/09 in the light of the award and expected outturns from 2007/08. In addition, the report provides information in relation to proposed changes to the allocation of PSHG in future years.
The Committee is asked to:-
a) Note the near final outturn figures for 2007/08 as detailed within Appendix
A to the report;
b) Agree the revised programme for 2008/09 as detailed within Appendix C to
the report;
c) Note that further reports will be submitted in the light of final outturns; and
d) Note that a further report will be submitted in the light of a final decision on
a methodology for allocation of Private Sector Housing Grant.
iii. Social Work Capital Programme and Monitoring Report
There is circulated Report No hsw-49-08 by the Director of Social Work which updates Members on progress to date with the Social Work Capital Programme and provides:-
• A monitoring report on expenditure;
• An update on work undertaken in relation to a range of standalone projects
and an update on the progress of Phases 2 and 3 of the refurbishment
programme;
• A proposal to lease Tigh Corrairaigh, Eigg (former Day Care Centre) to Eigg
Heritage Trust; and
• An update on work being undertaken in relation to a number of Fire Safety
and other Health and Safety capital works.
The Committee is asked to:-
a) Note the progress in the Capital Programme for the financial statement;
b) Agree the additional £12,000 required for the new generator at Strathburn
House and note the budget saving of £160,000 required for a new boiler;
c) Agree the increased budget estimate of £423,000 for the extension of Leault;
d) Agree to homologate the tender award of £1,118,598 for the
refurbishment of Lochbroom House; and
e) Agree to the proposal to lease Tigh Corraraigh to Eigg Heritage Trust.
3. Revenue Reports
i. Housing Revenue Monitoring Statement to 30 April 2008
There is circulated Report No hsw-50-08 dated 9 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which provides details of expenditure and income relating to the Housing Revenue Account activity for the period to 30 April 2008.
The Committee is asked to note the HRA Monitoring Statement to 30 April 2008.
ii. Non Housing Revenue Monitoring Statement to 30 April 2008
There is circulated Report No hsw-51-08 dated 9 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which comments on the Revenue Monitoring Statement for the Non Housing Revenue Account for the period to 30 April 2008.
The Committee is asked to note the Non HRA Monitoring Statement to 30 April 2008
iii. Building Maintenance Monitoring Statement
There is circulated Report No hsw-52-08 dated 12 April 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which provides details of the financial position for Building Maintenance for the period 1 April to 30 April 2008.
The Committee is asked to note the current financial position to 30 April 2008 for Building Maintenance.
iv. Social Work Revenue Monitoring Statement
There is circulated Report No hsw-53-08 dated 13 May 2008 by the Director of Social Work which details the position on the Social Work budget as at 30 April 2008 after one month of the new financial year. The report indicates that, at this early stage, it would appear that the service is likely to deliver all services within the budget allocated.
The Committee is asked to note the current budget position within the Social Work Service to 30 April 2008.
4. Land and Property
There is circulated Report No hsw-54-08 dated 13 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which seeks consent to use Landbank monies secured through Council Tax to increase a grant previously approved which will part fund a high cost affordable housing project in Kinlochewe. In addition, the report seeks consent to offer a loan to Pentland Housing Association to assist in the purchase of a site in Wick and to grant an option to purchase, at market value, land at Kinellan, Strathpeffer. The proposals contained within this report will contribute to the Administration’s target of providing 2,000 additional affordable homes.
The Committee is asked to agree that:-
a) a grant of £0.150m be offered to Albyn Housing Society, in place of the
£0.060m grant previously agreed by Housing and Social Work Committee,
utilising the Landbank Fund, to assist in funding the high cost housing
development in Kinlochewe, which will provide an additional six affordable
homes;
b) an interest free loan be offered to Pentland Housing Association, on terms
and conditions to be agreed by the Director of Housing and Property, to
assist in financing the settlement price and other agreed costs in
connection with the purchase of a site in Hospital Road, Wick up to a
maximum loan of £0.065m; and
c) the Highland Council enter into an “option to purchase” agreement for the
sale, at market value, of land and access rights at Kinellan, Strathpeffer on
the basis that the agreement will include an excambion of land to protect
the Highland Council’s future receipt and on other terms and conditions to
be agreed by the Director of Housing and Property.
5. Delivery of Affordable Housing in the Highlands
There is circulated Report No hsw-55-08 dated 13 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which gives an update of the Council’s priority to deliver 2000 affordable homes by 2011. The report also seeks consent to prioritise the use of council tax revenue from second and holiday homes for high cost rural projects in areas of housing need and to forward fund new affordable housing projects using the Council’s landbank fund.
It is recommended that the Committee note the progress being made on the delivery of affordable housing in the Highlands and agree:-
a) That the proactive actions listed under section 2.6 of the report are
continued by the Highland Council in its enabling role;
b) To enter into negotiations with the Scottish Government to forward fund
new priority affordable housing projects, using the Council’s landbank fund.
The Council would work with the Scottish Government to obtain assurances
about repayment from its 2009/10 investment programme or 2008/09
slippage. Any proposals for individual projects to be forward funded would
be the subject of future reports to Housing and Social Work Committee for
approval and be in accordance with the Council’s local housing strategy; and
c) That in determining the use of council tax revenue from second and holiday
homes available in 2008/09, the Council prioritises part funding high cost
rural projects in areas of housing need and in accordance with the Council’s
local housing strategy. Individual projects will be presented to the Housing
and Social Work Committee for approval as they are identified throughout
the year.
6. Performance Report
i. Housing & Property Service
There is circulated Report No hsw-56-08 dated 12 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which provides details on how the Housing and Property Service has performed in relation to Statutory Performance Indicators. The period covered is from 1 January to 31 March 2008 and where appropriate compares current performance with previous years.
The Committee is asked to:-
a) Note the information provided on performance in the quarter to 31 March 2008;
b) Approve the changes to voids policy contained in Appendix 1 to the report,
which are aimed at improving voids performance; and
c) Note that targets for performance for 2008/09 are contained in the draft
Service Plan reported separately to this Committee.
ii. Social Work Service
There is circulated Report No hsw-57-08 dated 13 May 2008 by the Director of Social Work which provides details of how the Social Work Service has performed in relation to Statutory Performance Indicators and also includes additional performance information on key areas within Adult Social Work, Children’s Services, Complaints Handling, PECOS Usage and also Staff Absences/Recruitment. The period covered is from 1 April to 31 March 2008 and where appropriate compares current performance with previous years.
The Committee is asked to note the improvement in performance in some areas and approve the action being taken by the Director and her staff to work for continuous improvement
7. Service Plan
i. Housing and Property Service Plan 2008 – 2011
There is circulated Report No hsw-58-08 dated 13 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which presents a revised and updated Housing and Property Service Plan for 2008 – 2011. A copy of the Service Plan is circulated separately in Booklet A.
The Committee is asked to approve the updated Housing and Property Service Plan 2008 - 2011.
ii. Social Work Service: Service Plan 2008 - 2011
There is circulated Report No hsw-59-08 dated 9 May 2008 by the Director of Social Work which introduces an updated Social Work Service Plan for the period 2008 – 2011 and recommends the implementation of detailed actions to achieve the objectives detailed in the Plan and to ensure improvements in the Service. A copy of the Service Plan is circulated separately in Booklet A.
The Committee is asked to approve the updated draft of the Social Work Service Plan 2008 – 2011 and to agree that the Director of Social Work and her team implement the actions to achieve the objectives detailed in the Plan to ensure improvements in the Service.
8. Delivering Care Homes: Outcome of Consultation on Sites
There is circulated Report No hsw-60-08 dated 28 April 2008 by the Director of Social Work which outlines issues raised following consultation on the sites identified to build the five new care homes. Arrangements for managing the care homes project through a project team and project board are summarised in the report. Approval is also sought to progress outline planning permission in respect of the identified sites.
The Committee is asked to agree that arrangements are made to proceed with outline planning permission for the sites at Craighill Terrace, Tain, Urray House, Muir of Ord, Caol BMX Track, Burnside, Inverness and Grant House, Grantown on Spey.
9. Contracting for Care: Progress Update
There is circulated Report No hsw-61-08 dated 12 May 2008 by the Director of Social Work which seeks approval for two new contracts for care services which have been negotiated resulting from the approval of reports to Committee on 12 March 2008.
The Committee is asked to approve the:-
a) Proposed new Spot Purchase Home Care contract and fees as detailed in
Table 1 of the report;
b) Uplift in fees to Forse House to the rates of £523.35 (Nursing) and £450.45
(residential) per week; and
c) Pilot contract for an additional two respite care places.
10. Tenant Participation Strategy Review
There is circulated Report No hsw-62-08 dated 13 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which provides an update on the review of the Council’s Tenant Participation Strategy, including proposals from the Tenant Consultative Group on future participation structures for Highland. It also outlines the consultation process for these proposals.
The Committee is asked to:-
a) Note the structural proposals presented by the Tenants Consultative Group;
b) Agree that these proposals be subject to wider consultation with tenants; and
c) Note that a further update on the Tenant Participation Strategy Review will
be presented to Committee on 12 November 2008.
11. Housing (Scotland) Act 2006: Consultation on Draft Guidance and Regulations
There is circulated Report No hsw-63-08 dated 12 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which provides information on the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 following publication of the Consultation on Draft Guidance and Regulations.
The Committee is asked to approve that:-
a) A response to the Scottish Government’s Housing (Scotland) Act 2006
Consultation on Draft Guidance and Regulations is prepared and submitted
by the Director of Housing and Property in consultation with the Chair and
Vice Chair of the Housing and Social Work Committee;
b) Council officers work towards March 2009 as the date of implementing
Highland’s Scheme of Assistance and related powers; and
c) Note that further reports will be submitted to Committee for approval of
the Scheme of Assistance and other matters.
12. Highland Carers’ Strategy: Consultation Feedback and Response
There is circulated Report No hsw-64-08 dated 9 May 2008 by the Director of Social Work which outlines the responses collected from carers and seeks agreement to amend the strategy to reflect the feedback received.
The Committee is invited to note the feedback received on the first consultation of the draft Highland Carers’ Strategy and to agree that the Director of Social Work amend the strategy to reflect the feedback received.
13. Fair Access to Community Care: The Development of a More
Outcome Focussed Model
There is circulated Report No hsw-65-08 dated 13 May 2008 by the Director of Social Work which updates Members on the outcome of a review of Fair Access to Care Policy approved in 2006. Thereafter, it proposes a refinement and adaptation of the policy and recommends approval of the framework, and suggests further consultation with key partners and stakeholders.
The Committee is asked to:-
a) Approve the framework as outlined;
b) Agree that the Director progress a more comprehensive consultation, taking
into account any implications from the Sutherland Report and the
Government response; and
c) Agree that a report be submitted to Committee on 17 September 2008 on
the outcome with detailed implementation plans.
14. Homelessness Resources 2008/09
There is circulated Report No hsw-66-08 dated 12 May 2008 by the Director of Housing and Property which provides an update on the use of homelessness resources during 2007/08 and seeks approval for the proposed use of resources in relation to homelessness for 2008/09.
The Committee is asked to:-
a) Note the Homelessness Resources spend for 2007/08, as set out in
Appendix 1 to the report;
b) Approve the outline spending proposals for 2008/09 as follows:-
• Continuation of staff posts £489,988
• Continuation of Highland Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme £30,000
• Continuation of outreach work with Rough Sleepers £30,000
• Investigations to give a base count of Rough Sleepers Highland wide £2,500
• Staff training provision £7,000
• Furnished Tenancies £2,500 per house £108,830
• Provision of packages of tenancy support available to applicants in most need
of support to sustain their tenancies £107,966
c) Note that details of future activity and resources should be approved as part
of the Council’s Homelessness Strategy and that outcomes will be reported
against the strategy, related to those contained within the Council’s Single
Outcome Agreement.
15. Additional Support to Key Voluntary Organisations
There is circulated Report No hsw-67-08 dated 12 May 2008 by the Director of Social Work which explains that in setting the budget for 2008/09 provision of £250,000 was made for relieving acute pressures on key voluntary organisations currently providing direct services on which users and carers depend. Negotiations with each organisation are focussing on actual leaves of service provided in 2007/08 and measures required to secure this activity for future years. Negotiations are ongoing with several and no payment will be made unless supported by an updated and robust Service Level Agreement.
The Committee is asked to approve the initial allocation of resources as detailed in the report subject to the completion of Service Level Agreements with the beneficiaries which will secure service levels.
16. Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act
There is circulated Report No hsw-68-08 dated 12 May 2008 by the Director of Social Work which advises Members on progress to prepare for the implementation of the Adult Support and Protection legislation in October 2008. A report to Housing and Social Work Committee on 19 September 2007 outlined the duties of the local authority in respect of the legislation. Agreement is sought regarding arrangements for the establishment of a multi agency Adult Protection Committee.
The Committee is invited to:-
a) Note that information has been sent to the Scottish Government on
costings for implementation of the legislation; and
b) Agree to that the Director of Social Work and Assistant Chief Executive
seek to recruit a chairperson for the Committee who is independent of the
Highland Council.
17. Social Work Complaints Review Committee: Appointments
There is circulated Report No hsw-69-08 by the Chief Executive which explains that there is a requirement to increase the pool of externally appointed members to serve on the Social Work Services Complaints Review Committee.
The Committee is invited to agree that:-
a) The current membership be invited to remain on the Committee until 31
May 2011; and
b) Appropriate steps now be taken to recruit new members to the pool of
Committee members increasing the number of available members to seven.
18. Exclusion of the Public
The Council is asked to resolve that, under Section 50A(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 7A of the Act.
19. Social Work: Outcome of Complaints Review Committee
There is circulated to Members only Joint Report No HSW/70/08 dated 1 May 2008 by the Director of Social Work and the Assistant Chief Executive which informs Members of the outcome of a Complaints Review Committee held on 24 January 2008 and details actions being taken by the Director of Social Work.
The Committee is asked to note the outcome of the Complaints Review Committee and approve the actions being taken to address the recommendations.