2006.A.S.1
THE FIFE COUNCIL - ADULT SERVICES COMMITTEE- GLENROTHES.
27th October, 200610.00 a.m. - 2.15 p.m.
PRESENT:Councillors Theresa Gunn (Chair), David C. Arnott, James Brennan, David Cunningham, Margot Doig, FionaGrant, Eleanor Gunstone, WilliamKay, CatherineLatto, George Leslie, Jane Ann Liston, Donald Lothian, Archibald Lowe, John Mackenzie, Gerald McMullan, Loretta Mordi, Alfred Patey, Fiona Purdon, AlexanderSawers, Mike ScottHayward, Jim Tolson, Marilyn Whitehead and George Brechin, NHS Fife.
ATTENDING:Brian Lawrie, Head of Finance & Asset Management, Gordon Alexander, Grant Newell and Eileen Rowand, Team Leaders, Finance & Asset Management Service; Steve Grimmond, Head of Community Services, Grant Ward Iain Whitelaw, Senior Managers and Ray Blackley, Team Leader (Inclusion), Community Services; Stephen Moore, Head of Social Work and John Alexander, Senior Manager, Social Work Service; Alan Davidson, Head of Housing and Alan Russell, Housing Manager, Housing Service; Vivienne Brown, Health Improvement Adviser, Policy & Organisational Development Service; Linda Bissett, Committee Manager and Susan Williams, Committee Administrator, Law Administration Service; and Susan Manion, General Manager, Dunfermline & West Fife Community Health Partnership.
APOLOGIES
FOR ABSENCE:Councillor Irene Connelly.
329.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillors D.C. Arnott, J. Brennan and E. Gunstone declared an interest in Para. 337 - The Future of Leisure - Proposals for the Redevelopment of Fife’s Major Sports Centres and Swimming Pools. Councillor A. Lowe declared an interest in Para. 340 - Establishment of a Fife Arts and Theatres Trust.
330.COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
The Committee was asked to note that Councillor Eleanor Gunstone had replaced Councillor Ann Watters on the Adult Services Committee.
Decision
The Committee noted that Councillor Eleanor Gunstone had replaced Councillor Ann Watters on the Committee.
331.MINUTES
The Minutes of the following Meetings were submitted:-
(1)Adult Services Committee of 25th August, 2006.
Decision/
Decision
That the Minute be approved.
(2)Adult Services Scrutiny Sub-Committee of 22nd September, 2006.
Decision
That the Minute be approved.
332.PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A REGIONAL LEARNING DISABILITIES LOW/MEDIUM SECURE UNIT ON THE SITE OF LYNEBANKHOSPITAL, DUNFERMLINE - COUNCIL RESPONSE
The Committee considered a report dated 17th October, 2006 by the Head of Social Work seeking approval to submit comments to NHS Fife in response to formal consultations on the proposal to establish a regional low/medium secure unit for people with learning disabilities on the site of LynebankHospital. Appendix 1 to the report was a copy of a report submitted to the NHS Fife Board on 29th August, 2006 by Susan Manion, General Manager of Dunfermline West Fife Community Health Partnership and Appendix 2 was a draft Council response to the consultation which focused on the impact which the proposed unit would likely have on Council services.
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)noted the background to the proposal to establish a regional low/medium secure unit on the site of Lynebank Hospital, Dunfermline as summarised in the NHS Fife report attached as Appendix 1;
(2)agreed the draft response for submission as set out in Appendix 2 as the Council response to NHS Fife, in accordance with arrangements set out in the letter dated 18th September, 2006 from the NHS Fife Chief Executive;
(3)noted that further progress reports would be submitted as appropriate, commencing with a report to the next meeting of the Committee on the outcome of the NHS Fife Board’s deliberations on 19th December, 2006; and
(4)noted that a briefing for elected members would take place on 31st October, 2006.
333.IMPROVING HEALTH AND WELLBEING IN FIFE
The Committee considered a report by Eric Byiers, Strategic Manager outlining current strategic approaches to improving health and wellbeing, highlighting some examples of ongoing work on this agenda and seeking approval to adopt the Principles of Health Improvement Organisations within Fife Council. Appendix 1 to the report outlined the timetable for work around development of the next Joint Health Improvement Plan 2007-2010 and Appendix 2 detailed the shared principles for health improvement organisations endorsed in March, 2006 by Partnership Organisations represented on the Fife Health and Wellbeing Alliance which would underpin the implementation of the Joint Health Improvement Plan.
Decision/
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)noted the process for the development of the next Joint Health Improvement Plan;
(2)noted Fife’s involvement in the national pilot around integrating health improvement planning and delivery;
(3)noted the key role Council Services play in improving health and wellbeing and tackling health inequalities;
(4)committed Fife Council to becoming a Health Improvement Organisation through adoption of the principles outlined in Appendix 2 to the report; and
(5)approved the roll-out of the Principles for Health Improvement Organisations across Fife Council.
334.REVISED REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE POLICY
The Committee considered a report dated 1st October, 2006 by the Head of Housing outlining the key issues which had arisen during the review of the repairs system and advising that the review had incorporated a consultation period with detailed responses obtained from Tenants Federations in Fife. The revised Repairs and Maintenance Policy was appended to the report.
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)endorsed the approach to full recovery of mutual repair costs from owners, including delaying response repairs where necessary until agreement on payment was reached;
(2)agreed that only essential health and safety repairs should be carried out prior to re-letting properties;
(3)approved the Repairs and MaintenancePolicy appended to the report; and
(4)agreed that a further report detailing information on the factoring of blocks of flats and insurance issues regarding Council properties be submitted to a future meeting.
335.“OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE” PROJECT
The Committee considered a joint report dated 27th September, 2006 by the Head of Community Services, Head of Development Services and Head of Finance Asset Management providing information on the “Opportunities Out There” Community Regeneration funded project which targeted those out of the labour market living in disadvantaged communities and contributed to the achievement of Fife’s Regeneration Outcome Agreement with Communities Scotland. The report also provided/
provided details of a related Condition Management Project with the aim of supporting individuals to re-engage with the world of work. The report detailed the current progress to date on both projects together with the key areas for future development.
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)noted the progress against targets; and
(2)approved the partnership approach which was a key design feature of both projects.
336.SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE: CULTURAL PATHFINDER PROJECTS
The Committee considered a report dated 9th October, 2006 by the Head of Community Services seeking approval for a bid to the Scottish Executive by Fife Council to host a “Cultural Pathfinder Project”, designed to show how cultural entitlements could be rolled out to embrace all sections of the population in Scotland. The programme would be a pilot supported by the Scottish Executive through match-funding to explore processes best suited to consulting communities, developing cultural entitlements, promoting and delivering themand gauging their impact and success. In order to meet the deadline set by the Scottish Executive of 14th September, 2006,a bid had been prepared at short notice and submitted by the Head of Community Services on behalf of Fife Council.
Decision
The Committee:
(1)endorsed the Cultural Pathfinder Project bid as outlined in the report, submitted to the Scottish Executive in September, 2006; and
(2)noted the potential benefits of the approach outlined in the report to secure customer feedback on culture in Fife which would help to inform cultural entitlements and a cultural strategy for Fife.
C337.THE FUTURE OF LEISURE - PROPOSALS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF FIFE’S MAJOR SPORT CENTRES AND SWIMMING POOLS
(Councillors Arnott, Brennan and Gunstone declared an interest in this item as they were members of the Management Committee of FIPRE.)
The Committee considered a report by the Head of Community Services advising on the outcome of the work undertaken by the Future of Leisure Working Group set up in June, 2004 to consider the key issues, challenges and strategic options available to provide high quality and sustainable sport and leisure facilities in Fife. The work of the Group had initially focused on the three major facilities in Dunfermline, Glenrothes and Kirkcaldy. The report also gave feedback from the extensive public consultation exercise which had been carried out during the summer,provided an update on the work undertaken to develop a longer term sports facility strategy for Fife and brought forward proposals for the facilities at Carnegie Leisure Centre, Fife Institute of Physical and Recreational Education (FIPRE) and Kirkcaldy Swimming Pool.
The/
The Head of Service outlined the proposals for the key centres, explained the financing and investment programme required to facilitate the programme and proposed establishment of a Community Sport and Leisure Trust. The report further identified the implications for employees if a Community Sport and Leisure Trust was set up. Appended to the report was a list of the sports venues which would be administered by the proposed Trust.
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)noted the key findings of the extensive community consultation exercise carried out on behalf of the Council;
(2)agreed the development of a Sports Facilities Strategy for Fife;
(3)agreed to the significant investment proposals for the redevelopment and replacement of key facilities as outlined in section 4 namely, the refurbishment and enhancement of Carnegie Leisure Centre; the replacement of FIPRE with a new facility within the existing site (preferably in partnership with Adam Smith College); and the replacement of Kirkcaldy Swimming Pool on a suitable site;
(4)agreed, in principle to the establishment of a Community Sport and Leisure Trust to manage and operate the Council’s sports centres and swimming pools and remitted to the Heads of Community Services, Finance Asset Management and Law Administration to produce a detailed report on this matter for future consideration including the implications for the transfer of staff to the proposed Trust under TUPE and the pension arrangements following discussion with the Trade Unions.
(Councillors David Cunningham and William Kay left the meeting following discussion of the above item.)
338.SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS - ADULT SERVICES
The Committee considered a report dated 5th October, 2006 by the Head of Social Work recommending approval of an additional award for financial assistance to Victim Support Fife in the current financial year. The schedule annexed to the report gave details of the grant under the relevant funding stream.
Decision
The Committee approved the award of £50,750 to Victim Support Fife, as detailed in the appendix to the report.
339.SHELTERED HOUSING SERVICE - CARE COMMISSION INSPECTION - PROGRESS UPDATE
The Committee considered a report dated 5th October, 2006 by the Head of Housing advising of progress towards satisfying the requirements and recommendations in respect/
respect of the Council’s Sheltered Housing Service made by the Care Commission during an inspection in March, 2006. Appendix 1 to the report represented a summary statement of progress agreed with the Head of Housing to the recommendations and requirements of the Care Commission Inspection Report 2006.
Decision
The Committee noted the terms of the report and endorsed the progress to date to comply with the Care Commission requirements for the Service.
C340.ESTABLISHMENT OF A FIFE ARTS AND THEATRES TRUST
(Councillor Lowe declared an interest in this item as he was a member of the Management Committee of Lochgelly Centre)
The Committee considered a joint report dated 9th October, 2006 by the Head of Community Services, Head of Finance Asset Management and Head of Law Administration seeking approval to implement a Fife Arts and Theatres Trust which would include the Adam Smith Theatre, Rothes Halls, Lochgelly Centre, Carnegie Hall/Music Institute, Glen Pavilion and the Arts Development Team based in the Auchterderran Centre.
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)approved the proposals outlined in the report and summarised in section 8;
(2)approved the appointment of Council Directors and the subsequent recruitment of non-Council Directors;
(3)agreed to form a company to be known as Fife Arts and Theatres Trust;
(4)agreed to remit to the Heads of Community Services, Law Administration, Finance Asset Management, Policy Organisational Development and Service Support to undertake the further work required to enable the Trust to commence trading on a target date of 1st June, 2007;
(5)agreed the TUPE transfer of all Arts Development and Theatres staff to the Trust upon commencement of trading; and
(6)agreed that local members be consulted at all stages of the process.
(Councillor Loretta Mordi left the meeting during discussion of the above item.)
The meeting adjourned at 12.55 p.m.
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The meeting re-convened at 1.30 p.m.
PRESENT:/
PRESENT: Councillors Theresa Gunn (Chair), David Arnott, James Brennan, Margot Doig, FionaGrant, Eleanor Gunstone, WilliamKay, CatherineLatto, Jane Ann Liston, Donald Lothian, Archibald Lowe, Gerald McMullan, Alfred Patey, Fiona Purdon, AlexanderSawers, Mike ScottHayward, Jim Tolson and Marilyn Whitehead.
341.THE BYRE THEATRE: THE WAY FORWARD
The Committee considered a report dated 9th October, 2006 by the Head of Community Services seeking approval to continue the Council’s funding support for the Byre Theatre and to support the outcome of a review of the Byre Theatre’s business model and operations in the context of a significant reduction in core funding from the Scottish Arts Council. However, the Arts Council had agreed to make a “one off” contribution to the Byre Theatre to pay off the current accumulated deficit which would enable them to operate the new business model and financial plan without the burden of interest payments.
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)supported the new business model for the Byre Theatre from April, 2007 onwards; and
(2)agreed to continue to core fund the Byre Theatre at the current level (£279,000 per annum) from April, 2007 following the successful preparation of a robust and sustainable financial plan for the Byre.
P342.SOCIAL WORK SERVICE - REVENUE BUDGET: PROJECTED OUTTURN 2006/07
The Committee considered a joint report dated 13th October, 2006 by the Head of Social Work and Head of Finance Asset Management advising of the projected outturn for the Social Work Service Revenue Budget for 2006/07 and proposing corrective action to contain expenditure within the approved budget. The Head of Finance Asset Management reminded members of the decision of the Policy and Resources Committee of 7th September, 2006, which had reiterated the need for Services to contain expenditure within the approved budget limits for 2006/07 and that, where overspends were projected, compensatory savings were to be identified. Failure to contain expenditure could lead to an overall deficit which required to be addressed as part of the 2007/08 budget setting process. This advice was also relevant for paragraph 343 on the Community Services Revenue Budget Projected Outturn 2006/2007. Appendix A to the report summarised the projected outturn and Appendix B outlined progress to date in saving options already approved by Members. Appendix C to the report was a Policy on Eligibility Criteria (Adults with Disability and Older People).
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)agreed that the proposed measures required to eliminate the projected overspend detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report should be rejected;
(2)/
(2)agreed that the Head of Social Work be instructed to continue to implement savings through efficiency measures, which would not impact on service delivery to the client, and to seek further reductions in the projected overspend; and
(3)agreed the Head of Finance Asset Management in his next monitoring report to the Policy and Resources Committee on 30th November, 2006 identify potential action to ensure that the Council had a positive general fund balance at 31st March, 2007, consistent with the longer term need to ensure that the Council’s finances were managed on a sustainable footing for 200708 and beyond.
(Councillors Fiona Purdon, and Mike Scott-Hayward left the meeting on conclusion of the above item)
343.COMMUNITY SERVICES - REVENUE BUDGET: PROJECTED OUTTURN 2006/07
The Committee considered a joint report dated 11th October, 2006 by the Head of Community Services and Head of Finance Asset Management advising of the current position with regard to the projected outturn for the Community Services Revenue Budget for 2006/07. It detailed the impact from the immediate steps taken to reduce the projected overspend as agreed following the instruction by the Policy and Resources Committee on 7th September, 2006. Appendix A to the report summarised the projected outturn for 2006/07.
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)agreed the proposed measures contained in paragraph 3 of the report to remove the projected overspend; and
(2)noted that officers would continue to seek opportunities to reduce and eliminate the potential overspend, whilst matching resources to those most in need.
(Councillors Marilyn Whitehead, Jane Ann Liston and Donald Lothian left the meeting during discussion of the above item)
344.ESTATES ACTION: LOW DEMAND COUNCIL HOUSING - PROGRESS REPORT
The Committee considered a report by the Head of Housing detailing current progress on the areas being focused on in partnership with the Local Services Network and other stakeholders working through the Estates Management Partnership Group (EMPG).
Decision
The Committee:-
(1)noted the progress on estate action/low demand Council areas; and
(2)noted that further reports would be brought to Area Services Committees in the coming months.
345./
345.MINUTE OF MEETING OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ACTION TEAM
Decision
The Committee noted the Minute of the Meeting of the Drug and Alcohol Action Team of 14th June, 2006.
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