Social Work And Health Committee - 16/09/2002

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 16th September, 2002.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Betty WARD, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 19th August, 2002 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I SOCIAL WORK COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

There was submitted Report No 689-2002 by the Director of Social Work about the operation and effectiveness of the statutory social work department complaints procedure from 1st April, 2001 to 31st March, 2002.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)to note and approve the content of the report;

(ii)that the Director of Social Work be instructed to inform the Scottish Executive Social Work Services Group of the content; and

(iii)that the Director of Social Work be instructed to make the contents of the report publicly available.

II PILOT SCHEME FOR ANGUS COUNCIL TO ACCESS SECURE ACCOMMODATION AT THE ELMS

There was submitted Report No 690-2002 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval for a pilot scheme which would give Angus Council access to secure accommodation within the Elms under a service level agreement.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)that a six month pilot scheme which would give Angus Council access to one place when available in secure accommodation within the Elms in Dundee be authorised; and

(ii)that the Director of Social Work be instructed to provide a report to Committee evaluating the operation of the pilot scheme.

III PRACTICAL SUPPORT SERVICES - PROVISION OF MEALS AT HOME - SHOPPING SERVICES

Councillor Borthwick declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereafter.

On a reference to Article VI of minute of meeting of the Social Work Committee of 17th June, 2002 and Article VIII of minute of meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee of 10th June, 2002 there was submitted Joint Report No 639-2002 by the Director of Social Work and Director of Personnel and Management Services:-

(i)advising of the detailed financial and staffing requirements required to implement an extended meals service; and

(ii)advising of the changes to the Home Care staffing establishment to facilitate the provision of delivery based services for meals and shopping and to develop escorted shopping services for people unable to travel to shops on their own.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)that a delivery service for meals and shopping be established; and

(ii)that an escorted shopping service for older people and other vulnerable adults who had been assessed as requiring such a service be established.

IV HOUSING WITH CARE

Councillor Borthwick declared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion thereafter.

There was submitted Joint Report No 640-2002 by the Director of Housing, Director of Social Work and the Director of Personnel and Management Services on the further development of accommodation choices for older people who may otherwise require institutional forms of care.

The Committee agreed: -

(i)that additional care and support services located in three local authority sheltered and very sheltered housing complexes which would be designated as housing with care be established as described in the report;

(ii)that up to 8 houses in each of the three complexes be further adapted to meet the needs of the older pupil; and

(iii)that a further report be brought forward to Committee detailing charging for these services within the context of the Supporting People Regulations.

V REVIEW OF WELFARE RIGHTS ADVICE PROVISION ACROSS DUNDEE

There was submitted Report No 692-2002 by the Director of Social Work on the proposed action plan and recommendations following the review of welfare rights advice across the City.

The Committee agreed that the detailed action plan and recommendations as contained within the report be approved.

VI ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MONEY ADVICE PROVISION

There was submitted Joint Report No 691-2002 by the Director of Social Work and Director of Personnel and Management Services on proposals for the use of funds allocated to Dundee City Council to provide additional money advice services.

The Committee agreed that the proposals as detailed in the report be approved.

VII TURRIFF HOUSE RHE - REFURBISHMENT (PARTNERING)

There was submitted Joint Report No 673-2002 by the Director of Social Work and the City Architectural Services Officer seeking approval for the refurbishment of Turriff House RHE.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)that Turriff House RHE be refurbished on the existing site at Rannoch Road, Dundee at a total cost of 1.5 million inclusive of fees; and

(ii)that the City Architectural Services Officer be authorised to negotiate a contract not exceeding 1.33 million under a partnering arrangement with an appropriate contractor and the Director of Support Services in conjunction with the Director of Social Work to issue an acceptance for this contract.

VIII STRATHMORE AVENUE COTTAGES - DEMOLITION

There was submitted Report No 701-2002 by the City Architectural Services Officer seeking approval for the demolition of the fire damaged cottages at Strathmore Avenue.

The Committee agreed:-

(i)that the cottages at Strathmore Avenue which had been damaged in a recent fire be demolished; and

(ii)that the City Architectural Services Officer, in conjunction with the City Engineer, be authorised to negotiate a contract not exceeding 20,000 (inclusive of an allowance for professional fees) under a partnering arrangement with an appropriate contractor and the Director of Support Services, in conjunction with the Director of Social Work, to accept the offer as recommended by the City Architectural Services Officer.

BETTY WARD, Convener.