Social Work And Health Committee - 18/08/2003

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 18th August 2003.

Present:-

COUNCILLORS

Councillor Wright, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 30th June 2003 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I COMPLAINTS REVIEW COMMITTEE - RECONSTITUTION

On a reference to Article V(i) of the minute of meeting of 24th May 1999 there was submitted Agenda Note AN394-2003 reporting that the Committee was required to set up a Complaints Review Committee, the remit of which would be to review on the request of the complainant any response or action to be taken by the authority.

The Committee agreed that places be allocated on the basis of one member of the Administration, one member of the SNP Group and one non-elected member.

II ANNUAL REPORT OF TAYSIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP

There was submitted Report No 540-2003 by the Director of Social Work advising members of the requirement to produce an annual report to the Scottish Executive on the progress of the Tayside Criminal Justice Partnership. The report also outlined the action that had been taken to produce the first annual report which was attached as an appendix.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the achievements of the Tayside Criminal Justice Partnership in its first full year of operation be noted; and

(ii) that the content of the annual report be approved.

III MINUTE OF AGREEMENT RELATING TO THE TAYSIDE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PARTNERSHIP

There was submitted Report No 541-2003 by the Director of Social Work outlining the background to the development of a minute of agreement on the operation of the Tayside Criminal Justice Partnership.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) be remitted to conclude the minute of agreement for the operation of Tayside Criminal Justice Partnership on behalf of Dundee City Council; and

(ii) that Dundee City Council acts as host authority for the Tayside Criminal Justice Partnership which would include responsibility for administering the single budget.

IV RESPONSE TO THE PROPOSALS FOR A SINGLE CORRECTIONAL AGENCY

There was submitted Report No 542-2003 by the Director of Social Work advising members of the implication of the Scottish Executive's stated intention to publish proposals for a single agency to deliver custodial and non-custodial sentences in Scotland and to propose the adoption of the position statement agreed by the Tayside Criminal Justice Partnership Steering Group.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) that the position statement as detailed in the report be approved; and

(ii) that officers be authorised to reflect this position statement in any discussions with the Scottish Executive concerning the development of proposals for a single correctional agency.

V SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT - STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE SERVICE - ESTABLISHMENT OF POSTS

There was submitted Joint Report No 470-2003 by the Assistant Chief Executive (Management) and the Director of Social Work seeking authorisation to establish two posts to enable effective strategic and procedural planning for the introduction of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

The Committee agreed that Dundee City Council take lead responsibility for the delivery of the Tayforth Partnership Mental Health Officer Training Programme for three years.

VI PURCHASE OF COMPUTERS FOR FOSTER CARERS

There was submitted Report No 487-2003 by the Director of Social Work seeking approval to purchase 53 computers and support software/training packages for Foster Carers.

The Committee agreed that the purchase of 53 computers and supporting software/training packages for Dundee Foster Carers who provided placements to school age children be approved.

VII NEW RESPITE FACILITY FOR YOUNG ADULTS

There was submitted Report No 488-2003 by the Director of Social Work on the proposal to create, through the auspices of SENSE Scotland, a new modern young adult respite centre in Dundee.

The Committee agreed that the Depute Chief Executive (Support Services) be remitted, subject to the consent of the Scottish Executive in terms of Section 74 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, to complete an agreement with SENSE Scotland that would oblige SENSE Scotland to provide a purpose built facility for young adults at no capital costs to the Council in return for the transfer of the Council's rights of ownership at Fleuchar Street, Dundee, to SENSE Scotland at nil consideration.

VIII SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE FUNDING - PROGRAMME FOR WOMEN OFFENDERS

There was submitted Agenda Note AN399-2003 which reported that Dundee City Council Criminal Justice Services had been awarded 20,000 by the Scottish Executive to develop an offence focussed programme for women offenders.

The Committee noted that Dundee City Council would be the lead authority, on behalf of Tayside Criminal Justice Partnership, for the development of an offence focussed programme for women offenders.

The Committee resolved under Section 50(A)(4) of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 that the public be excluded from the meeting for the undernoted item of business on the grounds that this would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3, 6 and 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 7(a) to the Act.

IX DAY CARE PACKAGES - WHITETOP CENTRE

There was submitted Agenda Note AN395-2003 requesting approval for care packages to be provided as detailed in the note.

The Committee agreed to the funding of the care packages at the level indicated in the note.

HELEN WRIGHT, Convener.