Minutes:
Severe Weather Conditions
1) Mr Gibbens supported the Chairman’s comments about KASS staff, as well as partners in the independent sector and the Army with whom they had worked, and were still working, in the continuing severe weather. He asked that his appreciation and thanks be passed to the staff concerned.
2) Mr Mills added that KASS had relied partly on the willingness of communities to look out for and help elderly and vulnerable neighbours with daily support and general care as well as meals to supplement the Community Meals service run by apetito and delivered with the help of the Army. Help had also been given by the 4x4 Users South East Response Service, a group of owners of 4x4 vehicles who offer to help in accessing remote areas.
3) Mr Mills said he had been struck by the resourcefulness of domicilliary care workers and agencies in delivering services. All domicilliary care providers had business continuity plans for such circumstances. The Emergency Planning Unit also had well tested plans and had been resourceful and flexible in giving a first class service, along with the initiative and hard work of in house KASS staff. Use of technology such as telecare and telehealth and the BT MeetMe service had come into their own for maintaining contact with clients and allowing links between managers across the county to co-ordinate support services.
In response to a questions, Mr Mills explained that, although KASS was not formally involved in decisions on which areas should be prioritised for gritting, they would have the chance to give a view as part of a debrief. Miss Highwood added that, in cases where KASS was aware of a particular risk, eg a steep entrance to a care home, it would direct help.
Cow Lane Learning Disability Centre, Canterbury
4) Mr Gibbens confirmed that he had taken the decision to close the centre on the proviso that alternative facilities are put in place first. Consultation and work with users and carers had been going on for two years to prepare for the change. The changes would improve services for clients in Canterbury with Learning Disability needs.
KASS Strategy
5) The KASS Strategy, on which the POSC had commented at its November meeting, would be considered/approved by the full County Council on 1 April.
Queen Elizabeth Foundation Day Centre, Dartford
6) Since the closure of the centre, KASS had run services under the Active Lives Network. It had always been intended that a third sector provider would take on this service provision, and in 2009 the contract had been let via a tendering process to the Inspire Community Trust of Bexley, which would start service delivery on 25 January. This Trust was committed to promoting independent living for clients with LD needs. An update on this issue had been sent to all local KCC Members on 6 January and would be sent to all POSC Members today.
Age Concern Funding
Mrs A D Allen declared a non-pecuniary interest in this item as a Chairman of Dartford Age Concern Committee, and Mr S J G Koowaree declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was related to recipients of care services delivered via Age Concern.
7) An update paper was tabled, and Mr Gibbens explained that he would shortly be meeting all the Chairmen of all Age Concern Committees in Kent in the spring of 2010 and Mr Mills would be meeting all Chief Executives for a second meeting. Mr Gibbens and Mr Mills answered questions from Members on this issue, explaining the following:-
a) it was up to each Age Concern who would take part in the meetings, but Mr Mills undertook to find out how each area Age Concern proposed to approach and advise Mr Christie;
b) The deadline for completion of the reorganisation of services was July 2010;
c) Mr Mills said he was not aware of any impact of the funding changes upon the relationship between Age Concern and Help the Aged nationally;
d) Mr Gibbens emphasised that service providers would not be affected by the reorganisation, and that no cut in service would result from it;
e) the consultants proposed to be used to advise on the change would be independent experts in providing elderly support;
f) although it was up to each local Age Concern Committee how much it charged for services, KCC would help them to make best use of their funds, and any change in service provision would be preceded by consultation with the client concerned. Mr Gibbens undertook to emphasise these reassurances when meeting with the Age Concern committees.
Swine Flu
8) Mr Mills said that preparation for a potential pandemic including vaccinating every health professional and care home worker, and the Department of Health had made £70,000 of additional funding available to meet the cost of vaccinating social care staff in Kent.
Retirements
9) Mr Mills reported that Janet Hughes, Director of Provision and Commissioning in East Kent, had left the Directorate at the end of December. He said Janet had been an excellent advocate for vulnerable people in the county and was well know and respected by elected Members. Anne Tidmarsh had been appointed to fill the post. Members added their appreciation of Janet’s work and their best wishes for her retirement, and congratulations to Anne on being appointed.
10) Steve Leidecker, Director of Operations, would be retiring on 1 April 2010. No-one had yet been appointed to fill the post, but Members were reassured that the post was being held and not deleted. Mr Gibbens added that he was concerned that the post had not been able to be filled and said he would ensure that he was kept aware of any problems in covering the role in the meantime.