Social Work And Health Committee - 21/08/2006

At a MEETING of the SOCIAL WORK COMMITTEE held at Dundee on 21st August, 2006.

Present:-

BAILIES

COUNCILLORS

Bailie Helen WRIGHT, Convener, in the Chair.

The minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th June, 2006 was held as read.

Unless marked thus * all items stand delegated.

I REVIEW OF SOCIAL WORK DEPARTMENT SERVICE PLAN 2003-2007

There was submitted Report No 449-2006 by the Director of Social Work providing information on the progress of the major activities outlined in Dundee City Council Social Work Department Service Plan 2003-2007. A print out of the Corporate Performance Monitoring Database, Social Work performance indicators and projects requiring approval for extensions were included as appendices.

The Committee agreed:-

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

(ii) to approve the extensions for projects detailed in the Appendices.

II PERFORMANCE INSPECTION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE SOCIAL WORK SERVICE

Reference was made to Article II of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 18th April, 2005, wherein it was agreed that the Director of Social Work prepared an action plan addressing the recommendations contained in the report by the Social Work Services Inspectorate and Article I of minute of this Committee of 16th May, 2005 wherein the content of the action plan was agreed for submission to the Inspectorate.

There was submitted Report No 469-2006 by the Director of Social Work on the achievements arising from the inspection of Criminal Justice Social Work Services within the Tayside Partnership.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note and approve the annual report; and

(ii) that it be submitted to the Social Work Services Inspectorate agency of the Scottish Executive.

III CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK OF SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE

There was submitted Report No 446-2006 by the Director of Social Work informing members of the contents of the Multi-Agency Guidance on Children and Young People at Risk of Self Harm and Suicide. The guidance aimed to ensure that, in Dundee, the City Council, in partnership with Tayside Police, NHS Tayside and relevant voluntary agencies, provided a caring and appropriate response to children and young people who had been, or were, at risk of self harm and suicide.

The Committee agreed to note and approve the contents of the report.

IV CHOOSE LIFE

On a reference to Article II of the minute of meeting of 16th February, 2004 wherein proposals for the implementation of the Choose Life Strategy were approved, there was submitted Agenda Note AN268-2006 reporting that the Choose Life Steering Group had now approved the following bid for Choose Life funding as follows:-

Dundee Samaritans - 13,300

The money would be used to raise awareness of the work of Samaritans, fund recruitment of volunteers and generally increase media coverage between September and the end of the year. This would tie in with International Suicide Prevention Awareness Week would take place at the beginning of September.

The Committee agreed to the release of Choose Life funding as indicated.

V FOSTERING ALLOWANCES 2006/2007

There was submitted Agenda Note AN269-2006 seeking approval for fostering allowances for 2006/2007.

The Committee agreed that the rates of payment and allowances as detailed in the note be approved.

VI PROGRESS TOWARDS SERVICE AND WAITING TIME TARGETS FOR OLDER PEOPLE

On a reference to Article I of the minute of meeting of this Committee of 26th June, 2006, there was submitted Report No 485-2006 by the Director of Social Work on the progress that was being made towards targets on waiting times.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note the developing position on waiting times outlined in paragraphs 6.1 - 6.5 of the report;

(ii) to endorse the actions taken by the Social Work Department as outlined in paragraph 7 of the report; and

(iii) that the Director of Social Work be instructed to maintain waiting times for free personal care to within 90 days.

The Committee further agreed that the Chief Executive be remitted to write to the Scottish Executive regarding the budget situation for 2006/2007.

VII JANET BROUGHAM RESIDENTIAL HOME FOR THE ELDERLY - REPLACEMENT

There was submitted Joint Report No 495-2006 by the Director of Social Work and City Architectural Services Officer detailing tenders received for works comprising the construction of a new single storey facility of traditional construction having a total floor area of 1,899m2, fully serviced and fitted out, incorporating 24 en-suite bedrooms, some with servery areas and associated ancillary and social areas and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to accept the partnership offer with Muirfield (Contracts) Ltd, Dundee up to the agreed maximum price of 3,027,055.48 after savings together with the undernoted allowances amounting to 411,404.00, making a total expenditure of 3,438,459.48; and

(ii) to note that Muirfield (Contracts) Ltd had listed Jaydee Heating and Electrical, Dundee and McGill Electrical Ltd, Dundee as sub-contractors.

VIII TENDERS RECEIVED - 1 ROWANTREE CRESCENT - FORMATION OF RESOURCES CENTRE

On a reference to Article V of minute of meeting of this Committee of 16th January, 2006, wherein approval was given to enter into a contract with Dundee Contract Services to carry out alterations at 1 Rowantree Crescent there was submitted Report No 491-2006 by the City Architectural Services Officer advising that subsequently the scope of the works had been re-evaluated and Dundee Contract Services had then intimated that they were unable to carry out the revised scheme due to other commitments. The report detailed tenders which had been received for works comprising internal alterations to provide suitable accommodation for staff as well as client facilities including electrical and mechanical upgrading and general decoration and requesting a decision on acceptance thereof.

The Committee agreed to accept the partnership offer with George Martin (Builders) Ltd, Dundee up to the agreed maximum price of 128,671.91, together with the undernoted allowances amounting to 25,300 making a total expenditure of 153,971.91.

The Convener agreed that the undernoted item of business be considered as a matter of urgency in terms of Standing Order No 17(b) and in view of the timescales.

IX SCOTTISH PRISON SERVICE PARTNERSHIP CONFERENCE 'MANAGING & REDUCING RISKS IN PARTNERSHIP'

There was submitted Agenda Note AN271-2006 reporting that the above conference would take place at the Beardmore Hotel, Clydebank, Glasgow from 14th-15th September, 2006.

The Committee agreed:-

(i) to note that Bailie Helen Wright had been invited to attend this conference in her capacity as Convener of the Tayside Community Justice Authority; and

(ii) to note that all costs associated with attendance would be met by the Tayside Community Justice Authority.

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

X OFFICER'S APPROVAL - LOCHEE HOUSING AND SOCIAL WORK OFFICES - ASSOCIATED ANCILLARY WORKS

On a reference to Article IX of the minute of meeting of the Housing Committee of 21st August, 2006, there was submitted Agenda Note AN267-2006 reporting for the information of the Committee that the City Architectural Services Officer, after consultation with the Convener and Spokespersons for the Other Groups, had agreed that a legal agreement be entered into with an adjoining proprietor for the temporary use of his ground for car parking during the course of the contract.

Helen WRIGHT, Convener.